Fresh Jamaica Cooler
Jamaica FrescaJamaica is a dried reddish-purple flower related to the hibiscus. The dried blossoms are steeped and sweetened to make a traditional cold drink with a bright cranberry color and a tart crisp flavor. Look for jamaica in cellophane packages in Mexican markets, and in the Mexican section of some supermarkets.
Ingredients
Makes 4 servings
- ½ cup loose dried jamaica flowers
- 1 cup boiling water
- 4 cups cold water
- ¼ to ½ cup sugar
Instructions
- In a medium nonreactive pan, put the jamaica blossoms in 1 cup of boiling water and simmer over low heat 3 minutes.
- Pour the mixture into a large glass container and add the cold water and ¼ cup sugar.
- Cover and steep 4 hours in the refrigerator.
- Pour through a fine-mesh strainer into a glass pitcher.
- Stir in additional sugar, if desired.
- Serve, over ice, in tall glasses.
- Store, covered, in the refrigerator up to 4 days.