We live in a world where we love variety even when it comes to mocktails. Whether it is infused with lemon, mint, watermelon or cucumber, we want our mocktails to be special and refreshing. Various new ingredients are being used to revamp your simple glass of mocktail but have you heard of the hibiscus flower? Or the lovely crimson colour it produces in drinks?
Hibiscus, often known as roselle or Hibiscus sabdariffa, is a flowering plant that is native to India and Malaysia. It's grown in Hawaii, China, and Japan, among other places. These flowers are also known as "flowers of LOVE" because of their vibrant red colour, and they look lovely when given as a gift.
It has a sweet, tangy, and fruity flavour profile, which is why it is often compared to cranberries.It has such a distinct flavour that it can give practically any drink a unique twist.The red-colored drink would appeal to your eyes so much that you'd wonder why you hadn't made it sooner.Apart from that, hibiscus mocktails are far more delicious than they appear.Hibiscus is a great ingredient to deal with because it is so versatile and can be used in a variety of ways.
Two ways to make a refreshing glass of a hibiscus mocktail:
Ginger Hibiscus Mocktail-
Prep Time : 15-20 minutes (2 big glasses)
Image source-Freepik
Ingredients needed:
• 1-2 inch piece of ginger
• Hibiscus petals
• Agave syrup or sugar syrup
• Soda
• Mint leaves
Method:
For the syrup:
• In a saucepan, add ginger, hibiscus petals and agave or sugar syrup with 1 cup of water and let it come to a boil.
• Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat and let it cool down for another 10 minutes.
• Take two big glasses and fill them up with crushed ice cubes, add cold water and 2 tablespoons of the syrup in each glass.
• Top it up with club soda
• Garnish with mint leaves.
Pineapple Hibiscus Mocktail
Prep time: 15 minutes (two big glasses)
Image source-Freepik
Ingredients needed:
• Hibiscus petals
• Pineapple juice
• Pineapple slices
• Mint leaves
• A slice of lemon
Method:
• Brew some hibiscus tea and let it cool down
• Take a glass and lots of crushed ice.
• Add the hibiscus tea and pineapple juice to the glass and mix it well
• Garnish with pineapple and lemon slices.
Experimenting with hibiscus petals sounds tricky but is much easier than it sounds. It will quickly change your old, uninteresting and boring lemonades and mojitos into exotic-looking mocktails of brilliant vibrant red colours.
So, treat yourself and your guests to this elegant-looking drink and enhance your hosting game.