Homemade Wild Hibiscus Liquor – Food Gifts

Looking for a unique Holiday Food Gift?

Presents, cookies, food gifts, cocktails & appetizers are the things that are on my mind at the moment…actually every December those are the things that are on my mind! Of course, I have to shop, shop and shop too since I have kids, however, the rest all gets me excited! What cookies are we making, what food gifts are we giving, what holiday cocktails and appetizers will be serving and bringing during the holidays, etc!  I think about it all, ask my family for their suggestions and the list-making begins! My Hibiscus Liquor is at the top of the list!

THIS post is a two-fer! Its a holiday food gift AND a cocktail…some of you may even consider it an appetizer, lol!   Guess it all depends on the day!

Have you had the opportunity to try Wild Hibiscus Flowers in Syrup yet?

I was introduced to Wild Hibiscus this past summer at the Eat Write Retreat Conference. At first, I was like what ARE those things?? And no way am I eating/drinking one! Then I manned up and OMGosh they were delicious! I think I literally ate 7 or more of them that first night (sshhh)!  They have been on my mind since then and lucky for me I was sent a fun holiday surprise from Wild Hibiscus and started playing around with those flowers and syrup.

The flowers remind me a little of a fruit roll up…sorta. They are delicious and so very different! Plopping a flower in a glass of champagne is such a gorgeous offering at a party and the ooh’s and aaaah’s will begin for sure! You can top a cheesecake, mini cheesecakes, ice cream, goats cheese and so much more with the flowers and the syrup too! Delicious!

If you are looking for a super-trendy signature drink for your holiday gathering or any gathering for that matter…one that will have your guests buzzing, check out all the cocktail recipes using Wild Hibiscus!

I decided to make a liquor so that it would be at the ready in my fridge for the holidays…both to gift and to use for drink making.  I decided to call my first creation The Wild Flower 🙂  Bottoms up!


If cocktails are not your thing, Wild Hibiscus also makes some wonderful teas!  Just ask my 10 year old niece who has become obsessed with the blue ones especially. That girl is a true tea lover!

 

Wild Hibiscus Liquor
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 TBS fresh lime juice
1/2 cup Everclear 151% Proof (grain alcohol)
1/2 cup Wild Hibiscus syrup
4 Wild Hibiscus Flowers

First, in a small pot, make your simple syrup by combining the sugar and the water.  Heat it until the sugar dissolves and the liquid is clear. Allow the mixture to cool, then add in the lime juice, Everclear and the syrup.  Mix well until fully combined.  Taste and if you choose add in some more Everclear to make it a bit stronger (1 TBS at a time…its some strong stuff).  Decide what you will store the liquor in, fill it then add 4 of the flowers.  Keep in the fridge until using.

The Wild Flower Cocktail
Ice
1/2 cup Wild Hibiscus Liquor
Sprite Zero or club soda
Spritz of fresh lime juice
Lime wedge

Fill a tumbler with ice followed by the liquor, soda and lime juice, give it a good stir and garnish with a lime wedge.  If you want it a bit stronger, just add a bit more liquor.  Cheers!!

What else can you do with Everclear (grain)?  How about making some of my super popular Apple Pie Moonshine or my Chocolate Liquor – both make fabulous food gifts!! 

Enjoy!