Más Aguas Naturales

Agua de Jamaica (hibiscus flower) is another favorite childhood drink. My earliest memory is drinking it at an elementary school fair with my friends.  More recently, I discovered Chia Fresca (at Casa Carmen in San Miguel de Allende), a thirst-quenching drink rich in omega-3 fatty acids.  Chia, from the nahuatl word chian (meaning oily), is an ancient seed and was a main staple in diets of the Aztecs and Mayans.

Aguas Naturales

Recipe Type: Beverage, Bebida

Author: Gilda Valdez Carbonaro

Prep time: 20 mins

Total time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• Agua de Jamaica


• 1 cup of hibiscus flowers


• 1 gallon water


• Sugar to taste


• Chia Fresca


• 1 cup chia seeds


• 1 gallon water


• 5 limes


• Sugar to taste

Instructions

Agua de Jamaica

1. When water comes to a boil, turn it off, add the hibiscus flowers, and let them steep for about 15 minutes.


2. Strain, squeeze the water out of the calyces (sepals) of the hibiscus.


3. Add sugar to taste and serve chilled with ice.

Chia Fresca

1. Soak chia seeds in water overnight.


2. In the morning add squeezed limes and sugar to taste.


3. Serve chilled.

Notes

Chia is a nahuatl word, chian, meaning oily.

Chia seeds are a source of Omega 3.