Boiled Flower Punch

I adore Sorrel. So much so, I'm tempted to start snatching up and boiling every flower I see. I'll refrain since I dont want to end up as a cautionary news report. "Entusiastic young foodie posions herseIf to death, due to obsessively making random flower teas" lol.

I have really fond memories of buying it from vendors at street fairs as a child. Now as an adult I can appreciate the mature flavors and health benefits more. So without any more ado, here's my recipe. This is how I do 2 qt batches, about a pitcher full. If you want the 2 gallon recipe just let me know.

Bella's Sorrel

6 oz Dried sorrel

Juice of one lime

1 Inch of peeled fresh ginger

1/8 Teaspoon of Allspice

1/8 Teaspoon of Cloves

1/8 Teaspoon of Cinnamon8 Cups water
1 Cup of sugar

Ice

Completely optional and awesome:

Frilly little umbrellas for your drinking glasses

Rum

1. Rinse Sorrel in a colander. Then place into a pot of boiling water along with your ginger.

2. Allow to boil for 20 - 30 mins. Then remove from heat and allow to steep for an hour or more, then strain. ( The longer you steep the darker and richer the beverage flavor. Alternately if you want a much subtle drink; boil for 10 mins, remove from heat, and strain immediately.)

3. Pour remaing liquid into your pitcher or cooler. Add however much additional cold water you need to fill the pitcher 3/4 to the top.

4. Stir in your Cinnamon, Allspice, Cloves, Sugar, & Lime juice. Then taste, if not sweet enough for your preferences add another 1/2 cup of sugar.

5. Add ice until till the pitcher is just about full, then refrigerate to chill further before serving.

Enjoy

Sorrel is a popular Caribbean drink during the Christmas holiday, made from the flowers of the Roselle plant, a species of red hibiscus native to the tropics. It's bold and fragrant, somewhat like an intense herbal and cranberry/raspberry flavor. The tea is a natural diuretic, and is chock full of vitamin C and minerals. And is purported to be good for all sorts of ailments:

Sorrel is also known to be a sedative, a diuretic, a tonic, a folk remedy for cancer, high blood pressure, mild bladder infections, and nausea. It is also effective against fever, stomach cramps, inflammation, common cold, and bronchial complaints.The added ginger is also a stimulant, Remedy for diarrhea, cold,

chronic bronchitis cough, gas, and nausea.

For Caribbeans in US it's a year round beverage. And bless their hearts for that, it's way too yummy to be a once a year thing. A good test of if you might like this beverage, is if you like Celestial Seasons' Red Zinger Tea since it's a main ingredient.