Hibiscus Cool-down

Recipe from A Plate in the Sun

Ingredients

• 200g/7oz sugar

• 450ml/16floz water

• 1 stick lemongrass, bashed

• 3-4 slices ginger

• 4 heaped tbsp dried hibiscus flowers

• 2ltr/72floz water

• Juice of 2 limes

Method

1. Make the syrup by heating the sugar, 2 cups water, lemongrass and ginger in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Simmer and stir occasionally until the sugar dissolves.

2. Simmer for 10 minutes or until the mixture becomes syrupy. Take off the heat and set aside to cool.

3. Put the dried flowers in a separate pan. Boil the remaining water and pour over the hibiscus, cover and steep for 5-10 minutes.

4. Strain the hibiscus water into a jug and stir in the lime juice. Remove the lemongrass and the ginger from the syrup, and add enough syrup to the jug to sweeten the drink. Chill and serve with ice.

5. Keep the remaining syrup in the fridge for your next cool-down.