Recipe: thirst-quenching hibiscus iced tea

Food, drink & Africa

In countries such as Egypt and Sudan they swear by hibiscus tea - usually served with five lumps of sugar, because they do have a sweet tooth. We’ve found a variation to suit the season. Today you will be drinking hibiscus, lemongrass, basil, honey-sweetened iced tea. 

Copyright: Halfbakedharvest.com

You will need

  • 5 cups water

  • 1 lemongrass stalk 

  • Several lemongrass stalks for garnish

  • ¼ cup honey

  • ½ cup dried hibiscus flowers*

  • ¾ cup loose basil leaves for the tea and more for garnish

  • ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice

  • A sliced lime for garnish

How to make it

Boil the water in a medium-sized pot or pan. Remove from the heat and add the lemongrass, honey, hibiscus flowers and basil leaves. Cover and leave to infuse for 20 minutes. Pour through a sieve and remove the used lemongrass, hibiscus flowers and basil.

Add the lime juice and add more honey to taste. Place in the fridge. When the iced tea has cooled, serve it with ice, fresh lemongrass stalks, basil and lime. 

You can find the original recipe at halfbakedharvest.com. 

Something for the eye as well

The fabulous appearance of the drink is utterly mouthwatering. Yum! Besides this iced tea is bursting with antioxidants and doesn’t need to be unhealthy at all. It’s all down to your recipe. Enjoy!

* One more thing: never just bite into a (cut) flower or plant - only use edible flowers from specialist suppliers that have been specially grown for consumption.

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