Sorrel Drink

Red hibiscus flowers are a common ingredient in ruby-hued herbal tea bags, such as Celestial Seasonings' Red Zinger.

ingredient list

Makes 1 quart

SORREL DRINK

• 3 cups dried sorrel or red hibiscus flowers, or 5 Red Zinger tea bags
• 1 4-inch cinnamon stick
• 10 whole cloves
• 1/4 tsp. crushed allspice
• 2 3-inch pieces peeled fresh ginger
SIMPLE SYRUP

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water

Directions

1. To make Sorrel Drink: Bring all ingredients and 4 cups water to a boil in saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 10 minutes. Cool, strain, and chill.
2. To make Simple Syrup: Bring sugar and water to a boil in small saucepan. Stir to dissolve sugar, and simmer 1 minute. Cool.
3. Pour Sorrel Drink over ice. Serve with pitcher of Simple Syrup for guests to sweeten drinks to taste.

Tomato-Peach Spritzer

Showcase the sweetness of summer tomatoes with this refreshing beverage. For an original cocktail, add 1/4 cup white wine to each serving and garnish with cherry tomatoes skewered onto toothpicks. The tomato-peach base can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for 24 hours.

ingredient list

Serves 6

• 1 1/2 lb. yellow or red tomatoes, cored and cut into wedges (4 to 5 tomatoes)
• 2 peaches, peeled, pitted, and cut into wedges
• 1 1/2 tsp. grated fresh ginger (1 oz.)
• 2 cups ginger ale

Directions

1. Purée tomatoes, peaches, and ginger in blender or food processor until smooth. Strain juice into pitcher, and discard solids. Pour into 6 large glasses filled with ice. Top each serving with 1/3 cup ginger ale.