Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Virgin Sangria

A variation on jamaica, it tastes surprisingly like sangria. Perfectly refreshing on a long, hot summer day...

3/4 oz dried hibiscus flowers (the edible herbal variety, not what you're growing in your front yard)
1/4 oz dried raspberry leaves
1 tablespoon dried rose hips
1 cup evaporated cane sugar, more or less to taste (or your favorite sweetener)
1/2 pint strawberries, chopped & a handful of blueberries (or other berries of your choice or other seasonal fruit such as stone fruit, apples, melon...)
an orange, lemon and a lime or 2, each cut into thin wedges or quartered and sliced thin

Boil 8 cups of water with the dried herbs for 10 minutes.  Let it cool for a few minutes, strain out the herbs and add sugar, stirring until dissolved.  Let cool to room temp and add fruit (you can muddle the fruit to release their juices or allow to soak overnight).  Refrigerate and serve over ice.

Makes about 3/4 gallon