Hibiscus sabdariffa, also commonly called Roselle, Sorrel, Red Sorrel, Aqua/Rosa de Jamaica, & Sour Tea.  The flowers, leaves, and calyxes are used for food, and the calyx (the red, rubbery ‘petals’ that form around the seed pod after the flower falls) is used fresh or dried for medicine and dye.

The most commonly utilized part is the calyx.  Its tart and fruity taste is used to flavor recipes and very commonly, as a refreshing tea.  It flavors rum in the West Indies, is used to make jams & syrups, to flavor margaritas, and even added whole to recipes.

Hibiscus calyxes are rich in antioxidants, including vitamin C.  They are used to support circulatory and heart health, and may help maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol.  They are also astringent and help to cool the body, which is why we are learning about them today... Hibiscus are wonderful for cooling you down in summer!

To make a Hibiscus tea, it can be a simple as pouring a cup of boiling water over 4 or 5 hibiscus calyxes, steeping for 6-8 minutes and adding a bit of ice to cool down your tea.  But, to make something that you can store in the fridge to pull out whenever you'd like, we are going to make a syrup!

To make a delicious Hibiscus Simple Syrup you will need:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup hibiscus calyxes

Place ingredients in a pot and bring this to a gentle simmer.  Then turn off the heat and let it steep for 20 minutes.  Next, strain out the hibiscus and bottle up your syrup.  Easy Peasy!  To make your drink, use 1 - 2 Tablespoons of syrup to one glass of cold water (I like to use sparkling water).  Add ice if desired. 

The 1 to 1 ratio of sugar and water is the standard recipe for a simple syrup.  You can add all kinds of herbs and tasty treats to this recipe to spice it up.  Maybe add some orange peel to your hibiscus, or a cinnamon stick... Or try simmering the sugar and water with some elder flowers, lemon slices, and a bit of ginger!  So Good!

I love sipping on cooling and replenishing Hibiscus drinks in the heat of the summer.  Let me know how you like it!

If you don't have local access to hibiscus, you can order them online.  Mountain Rose Herbs and Nuts.com are two of my favorite places.