Description
This vibrant Cherry Hibiscus Refresher is a delightful, fruity beverage perfect for cooling down on warm days. Using fresh cherries simmered into a rich syrup, combined with tangy lime juice and aromatic hibiscus tea, this drink offers a refreshing balance of sweet and tart flavors. Easy to make and ideal for entertaining or a simple treat, it brings a burst of summer in every sip.
Ingredients
Scale
Cherry Syrup
- 2 cups (350 g with pits) cherries, pitted
- 1 cup (225 g) water
- 1/2 cup (140 g) honey or cane sugar
- Pinch of salt
Refresher Drink
- 3 tbsp (48 g) cherry syrup
- 2 tbsp (23 g) lime juice
- 1/2 cup hibiscus tea, brewed
- Lots of ice
Instructions
- Pit the cherries: Begin by preparing the cherries by removing their pits. You may do this using a metal straw, slicing them in half and removing the seeds manually, or with a cherry pitter for quicker results.
- Make the cherry syrup: Place the pitted cherries into a large pot along with the water, honey or cane sugar, and a pinch of salt. Heat the mixture over medium heat on the stove until it begins to simmer and froth. Then, gently mash the cherries with a fork or potato masher to help release their juices and soften them further. Continue to cook the syrup for an additional 5 minutes, allowing excess water to evaporate and the syrup to concentrate.
- Strain and store the syrup: Once the syrup has thickened slightly, pour it through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl, separating the cherry pulp from the liquid. Reserve the pulp for other recipes if desired. Transfer the strained syrup into a jar and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Brew hibiscus tea: Prepare 1/2 cup of hibiscus tea by steeping dried hibiscus petals or hibiscus tea bags in hot water for about 5 minutes, then strain and cool.
- Assemble the refresher: Fill a glass with plenty of ice. Add 3 to 4 tablespoons of the chilled cherry syrup, followed by 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice. Pour the brewed hibiscus tea over the ice and stir or shake vigorously to combine. Serve immediately and enjoy the refreshing, fruity drink.
Notes
- You can substitute honey with cane sugar according to taste preferences.
- Save the leftover cherry pulp from straining to use in recipes like cherry almond butter toast for minimal waste.
- Adjust the amount of cherry syrup to make the drink sweeter or lighter.
- Hibiscus tea can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- For a sparkling version, replace the hibiscus tea with chilled sparkling water.
