Hibiscus Hot Iced Tea

Name: Hibiscus Hot Iced Tea
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 ounce (a heaping 1/2 cup) dried hibiscus flowers (see note); 1/2 cup sugar; 1 small fresh habanero chili; Ice for serving

By Matt Lee and Ted Lee

Total Time: About 1 hour
Rating: 5(5)
Comments: Read comments

Featured in: The Next Big Flavor

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Ingredients

Yield:6 servings

1ounce (a heaping ½ cup) dried hibiscus flowers (see note)
½cup sugar
1small fresh habanero chili
Ice for serving

Ingredient Substitution Guide

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Preparation

Step 1
Heat 1 quart water to boiling and let stand 5 minutes.
Step 2
Meanwhile, combine the hibiscus flowers and the sugar in a heat-safe 2-quart pitcher.
Step 3
Over a gas burner, or in a hot, dry skillet, toast the chili until the skin has blackened in places. (Hold the chili with tongs; its natural oils irritate skin.) Cut the chili in half widthwise; discard the top half, which includes the seed pod and stem. Remove any stray seeds and add the chili to the sugar mixture.
Step 4
Pour the hot water into the pitcher and cover with plastic wrap. Let steep for 30 minutes, removing the chili after it has flavored the tea to the desired hotness (10 to 30 minutes). Strain the tea through a sieve into a serving pitcher, and refrigerate until cool.
Step 5
Serve in tall glasses over ice.

Tip

Berbere is available in Manhattan at Ghenet, 212-343-1888. Mulberry syrup is available at Sahadi's, 718-624-4550. Dried hibiscus flowers are available at Kalustyan's, 212-685-3451.