Hibiscus Strawberry Iced Tea Cooler

I can't drink Hibiscus Cooler without thinking about both of my pregnancies.  Each time I drink it, delicious sweet flavors waken my taste buds and take me back to beautiful memories ... my midwife fed it to me while I labored in the water {birthing tub} + my husband got cold glasses of it for me to sip on during my babymoon.  

Hibiscus has a very distinct, delightful taste ... tart, lemony + fruity.  It's heavenly paired with sweet, juicy strawberries.

My family loves this tasty iced tea cooler ... especially when the weather heats up.  It's perfect for the whole family {but make sure to omit the honey if you're feeding it to a baby under 2 years old}.    

HIBISCUS STRAWBERRY ICED TEA COOLER

Perfect drink for rehydrating during the warmer months.  Full of flavor + not too sweet ... this mouthwatering iced tea cooler will have you reaching for a second glass.  Enjoy! 

Equipment: Medium-Size Saucepan w/ Lid, 8-Cup Measuring Cup or Large Bowl, Fine Mesh Strainer, Blender, Pitcher 

{Affiliate links included help support this blog.}

Ingredients

• 1 quart + 1 cup filtered water, divided 
• 2 tablespoons hibiscus flowers*
• 1 teaspoon lemongrass*
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon chips*
• 2 tablespoons raw honey {or sweetener of choice}
• 2 cups frozen organic strawberries

• 1 cup fresh organic strawberries, hulled and sliced 
• 3 cups ice cubes {made from filtered water, I make my ice cubes with this} 

Instructions

1. In a medium-size saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to boil.  Remove from heat and add hibiscus flowers, lemongrass + cinnamon chips.  COVER with a lid and let steep for at least 30 minutes {covering helps keep all of the beneficial properties in the tea}.  For a richer flavor, I steep mine for about 1 hour or more.  

2. Over a 8-cup measuring cup or large bowl, strain tea through a fine mesh strainer, set aside.  

3. Add frozen strawberries, honey + about 2 cups of the tea to a blender.  Blend on medium speed to combine.  Puree until liquified and no strawberry chunks remain.

4. Pour strawberry mixture back into the tea {Note: If you prefer, strain strawberry mixture through a fine mesh strainer back into the tea.}.  Add 1 cup water, stir to combine.  Refrigerate until chilled.

5. Add 3 cups of ice + fresh sliced strawberries to a pitcher and pour cold hibiscus strawberry tea over.

Serve over ice with sliced strawberries to garnish.

Yield: Makes about 6 cups without ice added. 

*Note: If you would prefer to use tea bags instead of bulk herbs, try substituting with this or this. 

Vegan Option: Replace honey with sweetener of choice. 

Where Do I Buy Bulk Herbs? I buy bulk organic herbs, spices + more here.  

OTHER COLD DRINKS TO ENJOY

Vitamin C Herbal Tea by Recipes to Nourish 
Blended Watermelon Lemonade by Recipes to Nourish
Raspberry Lime Elixer by The Organic Kitchen 
Nourishing Herbal Tea Infusion by Recipes to Nourish
Berry Lemonade Kombucha by Live Simply 
Watermelon Cucumber Juice by Recipes to Nourish
Cherry Mint Lemonade by Recipes to Nourish
Honeydew & Lime Agua Fresca by Recipes to Nourish
Nettle Cinnamon Herbal Tea by Recipes to Nourish
The PinkBerry by The Organic Kitchen  

HAVE YOU EVER HAD HIBISCUS COOLER BEFORE?

This post is shared at Real Food Wednesday @ Kelly the Kitchen Kop, Allergy-Free Wednesdays @ The Tasty Alternative, Gluten-Free & DIY Tuesdays @ Allergy Free Alaska,  Fat Tuesday @ Real Food Forager, + Paleo AIP Recipe Roundtable @ Phoenix Helix. 

Amazon and Mountain Rose Herbs links are affiliate links, prices are the same for you.  Should you decide to purchase through my blog, thank you in advance and much gratitude for supporting Recipes to Nourish.