Description
This Cherry Hibiscus Refresher is a vibrant, fruity beverage perfect for cooling down on a warm day. Combining tart cherries and floral hibiscus tea with a touch of honey and lime juice, this drink offers a refreshing balance of sweetness and tang. The homemade cherry syrup delivers a natural, concentrated cherry flavor that makes this refresher both delicious and revitalizing.
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
- 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. Use a metal straw, slice them in half to remove the seeds, or use a cherry pitter to pit 2 cups of cherries.
- Make the cherry syrup: Add the pitted cherries to a large pot along with 1 cup of water, 1/2 cup honey or cane sugar, and a pinch of salt. Place the pot over medium heat on the stove and let the mixture simmer until it starts to froth. Gently mash the cherries with a fork or potato masher once they are soft and let the mixture cook down an additional 5 minutes to concentrate the syrup by evaporating excess water.
- Strain and store the syrup: After thickening, strain the syrup through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl, separating out the cherry pulp (which can be saved for other recipes like cherry almond butter toast). Pour the strained syrup into a jar and refrigerate for later use.
- Brew hibiscus tea: Brew 1/2 cup of hibiscus tea according to your preferred method or package instructions, ensuring a strong and flavorful infusion.
- Assemble the refresher: Fill a cup with plenty of ice. Pour in the brewed hibiscus tea, then add 3 to 4 tablespoons of the homemade cherry syrup and 2 tablespoons of lime juice. Stir or shake vigorously until well combined and enjoy the refreshing drink.
Notes
- Use ripe, fresh cherries for the best flavor in your syrup.
- If you prefer a vegan option, substitute honey with cane sugar or another plant-based sweetener.
- The cherry pulp reserved from straining can be used as a delicious topping on toast with almond butter.
- Adjust sweetness by varying the amount of honey or syrup according to taste.
- Hibiscus tea can be brewed in advance and kept chilled for quicker assembly.
