Hibiscus Margaritas are our holiday drink of choice for three reasons: 1. They remind us of our trip to Mexico. 2. They’re absolutely delicious. 3. They’re so darn festive.
These photos are from 2006, so sorry they’re so small! I can’t make them bigger.
First you have to make the hibiscus water. As you know, I was on the hunt for dried hibiscus flowersand found them in Port Chester.
It’s so simple: if you can boil water you can do it. It’s just like making tea. I use a recipe from Rick Bayless. First, get out your ingredients.
6 cups water
2 ounces dried hibiscus flowers
3/4 cup sugar
Bring the water to a boil and add the sugar and the hibiscus.
Stir like crazy for 1 minute.
Pour it out into a nonreactive container. It will stain!
Let it steep for 2 hours. When it’s done, strain it out and press on the flowers to extract all the liquid.
Look at the flowers blooming!
After you have your juice, it’s time for the cocktails:
You’ll be making these for a party, right? Here’s a recipe for 8 servings:
1 1/2 cups white tequlia
1/3 cup Cointreau
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1 3/4 cups hibiscus water
Combine all in a pitcher. Stir. Put out a plate of salt. Use a lime wedge to wet the outside rim of the glass and dip it in salt. If you like, put the glasses in the freezer to set the salt and chill them. Shake each drink by pouring the mixture into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Strain into the chilled cocktail glass and garnish with lime peel.
Red and green. Perfect for the holiday season.
So, all in one place here:
Hibiscus Water
6 cups water
2 ounces dried hibiscus flowers
3/4 cup sugar
Bring the water to a boil and add the sugar and the hibiscus. Stir. Let steep for 2 hours. Strain.
Hibiscus Margaritas
1 1/2 cups white tequlia
1/3 cup Cointreau
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1 3/4 cups hibiscus water
Combine all in a pitcher. Stir. Put out a plate of salt. Use a lime wedge to wet the outside rim of the glass and dip it in salt. If you like, put the glasses in the freezer to set the salt and chill them. Shake each drink by pouring the mixture into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Strain into the chilled cocktail glass and garnish with lime peel.
