Anti-Inflammatory Hibiscus + Watermelon Slushie

This recipe comes from my cousin Lia Lavender, NC at Grounding Nutrition. Watermelon and hibiscus (also known as jamaica) are packed with Vitamin C and antioxidants. Keep your immune system strong, lower inflammation and beat late summer heat with this delicious rose colored drink!

Watermelon Hibiscus Slushie

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1/2 watermelon

• 3 tablespoons dried rose mallow flowers (jamaica, hibiscus)

• 2 cups water

• Juice of 1 lime

• Mint leaves and lime slices for garnish (optional)

• 2 tsp maple syrup (optional)

• Sea salt (optional)

Tools:

• Blender

• Fine mesh sieve or strainer (if using raw hibiscus flowers)

Instructions:

1. Cut watermelon into chunks and freeze overnight.

2. Create a strong hibiscus tea by steeping 3 tablespoons of dried hibiscus flowers in 2 cups of hot water for 20 minutes (or overnight). Set tea aside and allow to cool. Store in refrigerator.

3. Once tea has cooled, strain out the flowers using a a sieve or strainer.

4. Combine chilled hibiscus tea, frozen watermelon chunks, and lime juice in the blender.

5. Add a dash of sea salt (optional).

6. For a sweeter drink add 1 - 2 tsp maple syrup.

7. Serve cold and garnish with lime slices and mint. 

   
   

Notes on Hibiscus Flowers:

The species of hibiscus used in this tea is Hibiscus sabdariffa also known as Jamaica, rosemallow, and red roselle. Look for Jamaica flowers (flor de Jamaica) at your local Hispanic/Latinx grocery store, health food store or herb shop. You can also find the flowers here.