Summer is officially here (and by here I mean New England)! With rising temperatures, hydration should be at the top of your summer to-do list. My daily fluid intake is about 3 liters (around 100 ounces). Drinking only water to get to 3 liters can be a drag. This is where cold-brewed hibiscus tea or sorrel comes in. This tisane is full of antioxidants and other goodies. Plus it's a flavorful, spicy alternative to plain ol' H20. Meeting your hydration goal doesn't have to be so bland!
Recipe | Cold Brewed Hibiscus Tea
1 cup dried hibiscus
¼ cup fresh grated ginger
5 whole black pepper seeds
5 coriander seeds
5 green cardamom pods
3 cloves
1 star anise or 1/4 tsp fennel seed
½ cinnamon stick
8 cups cold water
¼-½ cup sweetener of choice
Steep the hibiscus, ginger and spices in cold water in the fridge for at least 8 hours in the fridge. (Watching the colors change is a fun distraction ) Dissolve your sweetener of choice with a little hot water in the jar you’ll be using to store your tea. Then, place a large strainer over the jar and pour the liquid over it. Squeeze any extra liquid out of the mixture. Shake the jar a bit. Serve ice cold. Add a splash of white rum if you want a little punch, but make sure you drink an extra glass of water.
Perks of Hibiscus Tea
- Full of antioxidants
- Improves digestion
- High vitamin C content (hello immune system boost)
- Relief from cramps and menstrual pain (Hallelujah!)
- Quenches your thirst, especially tasty after a tough workout
- Lower blood pressure
- Helps alleviate depression
Hydration Etiquette
Over 70% of our bodies are composed of water. It’s so important to make sure you keep your body well hydrated, especially in the summer when it’s hot out. Also adjust your fluid intake based on how much you sweat, how humid it is, and how much physical activity you do. How you hydrate is up to you. I typically drink 2 liters of cold water a day, then add about half a liter each of my cold-brewed hibiscus and hot tea (no caffeine).
How much water you drink per day depends on your body’s needs. Conventional wisdom says at least 2 liters a day. Other’s say half your body weight in ounces (if you weigh 150 pounds - 150/2=75, so 75 ounces of water. Another way to check? Look at the color of your urine. Your goal should be a consistent colorless or light yellow tinkle. Darker colors are a sign of dehydration.
Perks of Hydration
- Happy body - every cell in your body needs water to survive and function well
- Aids with digestion
- Promotes skin health
- Helps beat/prevent hangovers
- Alleviates (some kinds of) headaches
- Lubricates your joints and helps ready your body for a workout
- Boosts energy
Go hydrate! Water alone is great, but sometimes you need a little flavor. That’s where this yummy cold-brewed hibiscus tea comes in. Kalibu!