Preparation

1. Boil 2 cups of the water in a small saucepan. Add sugar, cinnamon stick, allspice berries and ginger - as desired. Stir until sugar has dissolved.
2. Stir in hibiscus flowers. Remove from heat, cover and allow to steep for 20 minutes (do not let it steep much longer or it can become bitter). Stir again then pour the bright and beautiful liquid through a strainer into a pitcher. Discard the used solids. At his point you can store this concentrate in the refrigerator until ready to make the drink.
3. To serve, fill a glass with ice and add a half glass of the hibiscus concentrate. Add water or soda water for a bubbly version to fill the glass (one to one ratio of concentrate to water, or adjust according to your personal taste preference). Stir to mix. Add a wedge of lime and a slice of orange and enjoy! The concentrate will store well for about a week, covered and chilled.
4. If you prefer this as a hot tea, transfer the desired amount of concentrate to your teacup or mug and fill with boiling water and garnish with a slice of lemon, lime or orange. Other garnishes or flavor add-ins are lemon, pineapple, strawberry, mint, basil, rosemary, lemongrass...be creative!