Chamomile Tea
In a small saucepan, place:
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 cup dried chamomile flowers (or 4 chamomile tea bags).
Bring to a boil, remove from heat, let cool completely.
Strain out solids and refrigerate tea, covered, for up to 2 weeks.
Sweeten with honey syrup and drink cold in the summer.
Honey Syrup
Put 1/4 cup honey in a liquid measuring cup and stir in 2 Tbsp boiling water till honey has dissolved.
Let cool and refrigerate, covered, for up to 2 weeks.
Use to sweeten cold chamomile tea or in cocktails.
Simple Syrup
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 cup sugar
Stir sugar in boiling water until dissolved.
Pour into a jar and let cool.
Cover and refrigerate up to 1 month.
Chamomile Cosmo
Fill a cocktail shaker with crushed ice. Add:
- 1-1/2 oz. vodka
- 2 oz chilled chamomile tea
- 1/2 oz lime juice
- 1/4 oz honey syrup
Stir till ice-cold and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a nasturtium flower.
Hibiscus Tea
Another relaxing, slightly sour brew made from the dried flowers, leaves and pods of the Hibscus tree, which are said to have a blood pressure lowering effect.
To make the tea, steep for 5-10 minutes:
- 1 Hibiscus tea bag in
- 240 ml boiling water
To make a brew for cocktails, use 2 tea bags in 240 ml boiling water to make a very strong tea.
Hibiscus Gin Cocktail
Fill a tall glass with ice. Add:
- 1-1/2 oz gin
- 2 oz. cooled, very strong hibiscus tea
- 1/2 oz lemon juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 2-3 oz sparkling water
Stir gently to mix. Garnish with a basil or mint sprig.
