I have it 2 stars because it's good. But not five because This is an exaggerated version of the Mexican Jamaica Drink. Both my parents are from Michoacan, Mex and my mother herself only boils Hibiscus leaves for a good 2 hours to extract all the flavor and color and as it's hot she adds Mexican sugar (not the piloncillo which has a different after taste, but course, unbleached, Mexican sugar) and that is it. I tried this recipe, and although good, it's not Mexican Jamaica, it heavily resembles that from Puerto Rico.
AWESOME!! I don't have a gallon pitcher so I halved the recipe got a lil too much nutmeg (oops!) still delicious. Going to try to gradually reduce the sugar. Excellent recipe. Thank you SB!! UPDATE: This has become my quaff du summer. In a 1/2 gl pitcher I've reduced the sugar to 1 medium cone of piloncillo and 1/2 c. white sugar. For some added goodness I've squeezed a lime or two or three in it as well so refreshing!
Excellent! I love the agua de jamaica they sell in the restaurant part of our local Mexican grocery store, but it's SO expensive! This was simple to make and very inexpensive (about $3.00 for a gallon, compared to $3.49 for a 32-ounce cup at the store). This is less sweet and syrupy than the jamaica at the store, too, and that makes me like it even more. Thanks for a great recipe that I'll make many times!
Indeed this drink is served throughout the Caribbean. It's called sorrel in Jamaica and Barbados. Jamaicans add white rum to theirs for a Christmastime cocktail. We Bajans just brew the petals with a cinnamon stick and plenty of sugar! Back home in NY the hibiscus petals (flors des Jamaica) were quite easy to find in any one of the myriad indigenous markets in town. (Used to be able to buy a sorrel syrup concentrate too if you couldn't find the petals.) Here in Nashville we have to look a little harder for Mexican or international markets; but it's not impossible to find -- and well worth the trouble once you get the end result!
I had to increase the amount of water as it was a bit too strong. Other than that... great recipe.
You can use a 2oz bag of dried hibiscus leaves which can be found at the local mexican markets.
This recipe was exceptional!! I made this today and can't stop drinking it!:) the only problem I found with this is that it doesn't make enough...;/ hehe! Thanks so much SB! You are such an AWESOME person (I can't thank you enough for sending me the ingredients and there was enough in the package for a second recipe so I'm gonna use it wisely!)! Oh yeah... and my sister (larkspur) made this with me so there will be a picture!:D
I added some tropical Green Tea to my first batch. I love Jamaica anyway I can get it but I always like to add some sort of interesting tea to my homemade Jamaica. It always adds another level to the fragrant bouquet this drink already leaves behind after each slow sip. Mmm MMM! Perfect for Summer!
Great recipe! I've always loved the Celestial Seasonings Red Zinger tea and this tasted even better! We don't have a Mexican market near our house but SB was kind enough to send my sister Geranium the ingredients we couldn't find so that we could try this recipe. The finished drink is so amazing! It is very refreshing and not too sweet. Thanks so much for sharing the recipe...it is wonderful and we'll be making it again!!!
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