Drink Recipe: Karkade (Hibiscus Hot or Iced Tea كركديه) ... Awesome Cigar pairing

As promised, here is my latest discovery of a another wonderful cigar pairing... Karkade or the Hibiscus Tea! Whether you drink it hot or cold or iced out like what I did, it will sure accompany your favorite smokes no matter how complex they are.

Image Courtesy of Wikipedia

Just to give you a brief about Hibiscus Tea, though Lord Google or Wikipedia would do a better job, is a type of herbal tea made from the Sepals and Calyces of the Hibiscus Flower. Hibiscus tea is consumed around the world with each having their own style of preparation and own names. For example, in Central & south America, the Hibiscus Tea is known as "Agua de Jamaica" or "Rosa de Jamaica". While in North Africa and parts of Europe is usually referred to as "Karkade" كركديه or "Italian Tea".

Dried Hibiscus

There seem to be many benefits relating to drinking Hibiscus Tea such as vitamins and minerals, but most notably is it helps lower blood pressure. Some studies indicates that drinking Hot Hibiscus Tea will help elevate low blood pressure and if consumed Cold it may help lower it. But please don't take my word for it and consult with your doctor if you are unsure!

But for our main reason, its a killer pairing with your smoke... lets take a look at how I make 'em:

Ingrediants to make approx Two liters:

• 2 Liters of Water
• 2 Cup of dried Hibiscus
• 1 Cup of Sugar (+/- depending on taste... you can always add later)
• 20 ml of Orange Blossom Water (optional)

In a large pan, dissolve the 1 cup of sugar in the 2 liter water and bring to a boil.

Rinse off the dried Hibiscus under cold running water for a few seconds to get rid of any dirt then dump it into the boiling sugar/water mixture and lower the heat.

Slowly keep stirring the mixture and simmer for 5 minutes then add the Orange Blossom water and turn heat off.  Let the Hibiscus steep until it falls down to the bottom of the pot. 

At this Point you should reward yourself with a nice Hot Karkade, pour into your favorite mug using a fine strainer & enjoy... Keep the rest in the pot to completely cool down (you can steep it from an Hour to 6 Hours if you want your drink to be extra dense but do not for beyond that)

Once the Mixture is cooled down you can go ahead and strain it into a jug for easy bottling. Once bottled it can be stored in the Refrigerator for up to 7 days.

To prepare your cooler or Iced Karkade (Hibiscus Tea): Crush some Ice and fill the cup then slowly pour the Karkade over the ice and enjoy that red liquid filling up. Alternate method is you can blitz in a blender a handful of ice cubes and 250mls of Karkade until you achieve a smoothie consistency.

Right before drinking, I took a wedge of lime and squeezed into my Karkade for that extra zing and light up a La Aroma De Cuba Mi Amor Reserva to relax for the night.

 There you have it folks... a wonderful smooth refreshing drink! Salut!


Enjoy!

Drink Recipe: Karkade (Hibiscus Hot or Iced Tea كركديه) ... Awesome Cigar pairing

As promised, here is my latest discovery of a another wonderful cigar pairing... Karkade or the Hibiscus Tea! Whether you drink it hot or cold or iced out like what I did, it will sure accompany your favorite smokes no matter how complex they are.

Image Courtesy of Wikipedia

Just to give you a brief about Hibiscus Tea, though Lord Google or Wikipedia would do a better job, is a type of herbal tea made from the Sepals and Calyces of the Hibiscus Flower. Hibiscus tea is consumed around the world with each having their own style of preparation and own names. For example, in Central & south America, the Hibiscus Tea is known as "Agua de Jamaica" or "Rosa de Jamaica". While in North Africa and parts of Europe is usually referred to as "Karkade" كركديه or "Italian Tea".

Dried Hibiscus

There seem to be many benefits relating to drinking Hibiscus Tea such as vitamins and minerals, but most notably is it helps lower blood pressure. Some studies indicates that drinking Hot Hibiscus Tea will help elevate low blood pressure and if consumed Cold it may help lower it. But please don't take my word for it and consult with your doctor if you are unsure!

But for our main reason, its a killer pairing with your smoke... lets take a look at how I make 'em:

Ingrediants to make approx Two liters:

• 2 Liters of Water
• 2 Cup of dried Hibiscus
• 1 Cup of Sugar (+/- depending on taste... you can always add later)
• 20 ml of Orange Blossom Water (optional)

In a large pan, dissolve the 1 cup of sugar in the 2 liter water and bring to a boil.

Rinse off the dried Hibiscus under cold running water for a few seconds to get rid of any dirt then dump it into the boiling sugar/water mixture and lower the heat.

Slowly keep stirring the mixture and simmer for 5 minutes then add the Orange Blossom water and turn heat off.  Let the Hibiscus steep until it falls down to the bottom of the pot. 

At this Point you should reward yourself with a nice Hot Karkade, pour into your favorite mug using a fine strainer & enjoy... Keep the rest in the pot to completely cool down (you can steep it from an Hour to 6 Hours if you want your drink to be extra dense but do not for beyond that)

Once the Mixture is cooled down you can go ahead and strain it into a jug for easy bottling. Once bottled it can be stored in the Refrigerator for up to 7 days.

To prepare your cooler or Iced Karkade (Hibiscus Tea): Crush some Ice and fill the cup then slowly pour the Karkade over the ice and enjoy that red liquid filling up. Alternate method is you can blitz in a blender a handful of ice cubes and 250mls of Karkade until you achieve a smoothie consistency.

Right before drinking, I took a wedge of lime and squeezed into my Karkade for that extra zing and light up a La Aroma De Cuba Mi Amor Reserva to relax for the night.

 There you have it folks... a wonderful smooth refreshing drink! Salut!


Enjoy!

Summer Drink Recipe: Beetroot Mojito - Ruby Goodness

 

Kick off your summer with my awesome ruby goodness Beetroot Mojito recipe. Sure to cool you off and deliver the tasty somewhat guilt-free drink satisfaction! Beetroot which is known for its source of nitrates (and lets not forget the potassium, magnesium, iron, vitamins A, B6 and C, folic acid, carbohydrates, protein, antioxidants and soluble fiber) it helps fight heart diseases and blood pressure so why not include it in your favorite drink?

That's what I did.... So to make a 330ml glass the ingredient are:

• 2 halved meduim size Lime
• 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar (or Muscavado)
• Few Mint leaves (keep one stem for decoration)
• 1-2 Tablespoon Beetroot puree*
• 100ml Club Soda
• 30ml Havana Club 3 anos (optional)
• plenty of crushed Ice
• Sugar Cane Stick (for garnish)

In your Mojito glass add the sugar and limes and muddle them together until your get the juice out of the limes. 

Add the mint leaves ( I counted about 15 mint leaves, you can put as much as you want) muddle some more and you only want to bruise the leaves not tare them to pieces.

Add the Beetroot puree (To make  beetroot puree - peel a beetroot and boil it for 15 minutes until tender, drain then place beetroot in blender/food processor and pulse it until it turns to puree or baby food consistency)

Fill your glass with crushed ice till the top and add the optional Havana Club followed with your Club Soda.

With a spoon or the Sugar Cane stick, gently stir the layers around until you mixed them well and keep the cane as garnish as well as some mint leaves.... easy!

Salute! Enjoy!...

Summer Drink Recipe: Beetroot Mojito - Ruby Goodness

 

Kick off your summer with my awesome ruby goodness Beetroot Mojito recipe. Sure to cool you off and deliver the tasty somewhat guilt-free drink satisfaction! Beetroot which is known for its source of nitrates (and lets not forget the potassium, magnesium, iron, vitamins A, B6 and C, folic acid, carbohydrates, protein, antioxidants and soluble fiber) it helps fight heart diseases and blood pressure so why not include it in your favorite drink?

That's what I did.... So to make a 330ml glass the ingredient are:

• 2 halved meduim size Lime
• 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar (or Muscavado)
• Few Mint leaves (keep one stem for decoration)
• 1-2 Tablespoon Beetroot puree*
• 100ml Club Soda
• 30ml Havana Club 3 anos (optional)
• plenty of crushed Ice
• Sugar Cane Stick (for garnish)

In your Mojito glass add the sugar and limes and muddle them together until your get the juice out of the limes. 

Add the mint leaves ( I counted about 15 mint leaves, you can put as much as you want) muddle some more and you only want to bruise the leaves not tare them to pieces.

Add the Beetroot puree (To make  beetroot puree - peel a beetroot and boil it for 15 minutes until tender, drain then place beetroot in blender/food processor and pulse it until it turns to puree or baby food consistency)

Fill your glass with crushed ice till the top and add the optional Havana Club followed with your Club Soda.

With a spoon or the Sugar Cane stick, gently stir the layers around until you mixed them well and keep the cane as garnish as well as some mint leaves.... easy!

Salute! Enjoy!...

Summer Drink Recipes - Espresso Avocado Shake - Creamy nuttiness!

Yup, I dared myself to do it! This summer drink recipe can be enjoyed anytime with a sweet cigar and preferably a Maduro. The smooth creaminess and nutty taste with the kick of caffeine really make this drink special. If you do not like avocados then stay away from this drink!

OK... No rocket science just plain ingredients:

• Half a ripped Avocado (the de-seeded half please)
• 250ml skimmed milk (1Cup)
• 1 tablespoon of pure honey (you can use any type of sweetener/sugar you want)
• Handful of ice cubes
• 40ml of freshly brewed Nespresso Cosi 

As easy as it sounds... just put the Avocado, milk, honey and ice in your blender and blitz it up for a minute or so until you get to a milkshake consistency. The more ice you add the thicker it will get, so its all up to you. 

Once done pour the avocado shake in a serving glass and brew up the Nespresso Cosi then pour it over the avocados drink! With a cocktail stick or straw slowly swirl the mixture around so that you can mix in the espresso to make it look like the surface of planet Jupiter. If you do not know what Jupiter looks like... please google it.

I have used Nespresso Cosi for its light-bodied fruity notes. At intensity level 3 I thought it would balance out the dense flavor of the avocado and gives a little tangier taste. I would also recommend the Arpeggio or Ristretto for higher intensity and richer flavor.

Enjoy!