Hibiscus Mint Sun Tea & The Royal Tea Cocktail

My mom was always making sun tea in the summer when I was a kid. I never made my own until she gifted me a bag of organic dried hibiscus flowers from her adventures in Mexico. So on the first hot day of the summer I taught myself how to make sun tea out of the flowers, a black tea that I’ve always liked, and some of the mint that was swiftly taking over a corner of my garden. Even as a first try the tea came out perfect. Not too sour or acidic, not too minty, this tea comes out a beautiful pink-beet color and is incredibly refreshing. So refreshing that Ryan and I created a cocktail out of it! A little award-winning local vodka, a little lemon and honey, and this tea is transformed into a bright and totally sip-able Royal Tea Cocktail!

Hibiscus Mint Sun Tea
• 1/2 cup dried Hibiscus flowers
• 1/4 cup Assam Black Tea
• 5-8 sprigs of fresh mint

Combine all ingredients in a gallon jar and fill with cool water. Place the jar in the sun on the morning of a hot day. By the afternoon your sun tea is ready! Combine with ice in a tall glass and garnish with a lemon wedge.

Royal Sun Tea Cocktail
• Large ice cubes
• 2 parts Hibiscus Mint Sun Tea
• 1 part Tito’s Vodka or other good quality vodka
• Juice of 1/4 lemon
• 1/2 teaspoon local honey
• Sprig of mint and lemon wedge for garnish

Add ice cubes to a highball glass and pour in tea, vodka, honey and lemon. Stir well then add the lemon and mint and enjoy!