There are different categories of people when it comes to celebrating Valentine’s Day. Some love it, some hate it and some make fun of it. I fall in a different group, the one with folks who like to celebrate any day that calls for yummy food, good drinks and quality time with your loved ones! And irrespective of the occasion falling on a weekend or a busy weekday, our kind figures out some way to make it special. I cherish this day, which is celebrated all across the globe where every one is speaking one single language - Love! The day is filled with chocolates, champagne, roses, love notes, kisses and the world is painted red.
Keeping in mind the color of love, I have this sexy red, flavorful hibiscus syrup for you. Drizzle a little on fruit or salad vinaigrette, swirl it on ice cream or yogurt and on a special evening, stir it with your choice of alcohol and get a little tipsy.
Our Valentine’s Day was like any other busy weekday except with more yumminess involved. There was a grown up version of mac and cheese for lunch, a citrusy cocktail and gnocchi with basil pesto for dinner followed by late night chocolate fudge cake. Eating out would have been more relaxing but then again, who likes to spend a romantic evening in a crowded restaurant. While he was busy at work, I stayed active in my tiny kitchen preparing our favorites.
Good homemade syrup always comes handy. It’s easy to make and you can flavor it the way you like. I added some ginger, lemon peels and couple of star anise in it. As it boiled, the color got darker, it released the flavor and in about 15 minutes or so, I had a bottle of hibiscus syrup ready to be used.
Hibiscus Syrup
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- ¾ cup dried hibiscus flowers
- 1 inch ginger (finely grated)
- 2 whole star anise
- zest of 1 lemon
- 1 cup sugar (add more if you like it sweeter)
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a deep pan, mix all the ingredients and bring it to a boil.
- Once it starts to boil, reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
- Turn off the heat, cover it with a lid and let it steep for 5 more minutes.
- Strain it through a sieve and store the syrup in an airtight bottle.
Nutrition
Did you ever make hibiscus syrup? If yes, where did you use it later? I am looking for more ideas, please share with me if you have any!
Lizzy (Good Things)
Wow, this sounds amazing!
Melanie
wow , what an amazing idea ! And I loooove your beautiful pictures !
Thanks for sharing the recipe.
kind regards from vienna
melanie
Kankana Saxena
Thank you Melanie. I am on love with your photography and your blog 🙂
Colette @ JFF!
I recently discovered this Mexican staple "agua de Jamaica."
And, I love it!
Now, add vodka? What a cocktail!
Nandita
I had never heard of this gorgeous syrup before. Just Loved the red!! Thanks for introducing me to something new Kankana 🙂
Lail | With A Spin
I've had hibiscus tea in Egypt and the flavor was exquisite. The sound of adding ginger and lemon to it makes me want to make the syrup. Where do you find dried hibiscus?
Kankana Saxena
I found it in a middle eastern store. I don't think it's that tough to find. You can also look for it online 🙂
Arch
Wow, never heard of this...how do you get these ideas ? Fantastic clicks, as always
Kankana Saxena
Oh I make syrup with several things, it's one of my fav thing to store in pantry 🙂
indugetscooking
I love, love the first vodka shot....Makes me want to grab it even though I don't drink (alcohol) at all!
Kankana Saxena
omit the vodka and enjoy 🙂 It's still tastes good!
Rose/Magpies Recipes
Very romantic K! Love the colour and am sure it tasted great too! Am sure it could be put to a hundred uses in dessert- maybe thickened a little and made like a coulis to drizzle over panacotta, icecream, pudding,.. or to poach pears and other fruit?
Kankana Saxena
Oh I love the idea of using it in poached pear! 🙂
Ira Rodrigues
I like everything involved ginger and when i read your recipe, i fall in love! great clicks Kan
Kiran
Gorgeous styling and delicious recipe!! You take amazing cocktail photos!
Laura (Blogging Over
Never would have thought to make this, but I'm loving it! Looks amazing. The photographs are absolutely beautiful too. Love the dark background with the red syrup, great contrast.
Manju
Never heard of a Hibiscus Syrup, but i bet my Hus would love this, as he is crazy abt Rose syrup...I'm not a fan of flowery syrups though...high time I changed my mind 🙂
Love the pics and that blue board or backgrouns you are using...
Regards,
Manju
http://manjuseatingdelights.blogspot.com/
Soma
I have never heard about it. The pictures are mind blowing too.
Regarding the Valentines day celebration, there is the fourth group, like me, who is confused. To celebrate or not to celebrate. To surrender to the Hallmark, Archie and Macy's sale for love or just be myself and celebrate love everyday.
Archana
Wow! Gorgeous shots....love the rich red color! I have never tried hibiscus syrup...but this does make me want to try it out soon!
Reem | Simply Reem
Beautiful!!!
I am loving the the deep red color of the syrup... You know I have tried hibicus glazed fruit once... Now you have inspired me to try my hands on it at home 😉
Stunning Shots as always...
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
What a stunning gift!
Grishma
I LOVE Hibiscus n your photography is just mind blowing! I guess I do need to move to CA to learn from you 🙂
Kankana Saxena
I don't care what you reason is, just move here babe 😀 We will have fun doing things we both enjoy!
Rosa
Exquisite syrup and photography! The flavor of hibiscus is so interesting.
Cheers,
Rosa
Eva Toneva
I love homemade drinks. Amazing photos! 🙂
Sanjeeta kk
Wow..an absolute must for me..my Hibiscus shrubs will thanks you for it! Am sure the syrup could be used to make a warm Hibiscus tea also..lovely clicks, Kankana.