Jamaica (not the country)

Here in Mexico, we have two types of water (no, not tap and bottled - tap does not even count here) - agua simple and agua de sabor. Contrary to what makes sense, when ordering or offering simply "agua", this does not refer to agua simple. When wanting water like Poland Spring or Ciel (the most popular bottled water down here), you must specify the simple kind or the assumption upon hearing the word is the flavored water, our agua de sabor.

Frequently these aguas are made from fruit (although not very much), sugar (quite a bit) and as much water as you need to quench the thirst of everyone around the table (which is about 14 nephews and nieces in my case). Jamaica (pronounced ha-my-ka) is actually not made from a piddling amount of juice, but from brewing hibiscus flowers - although the sugar and water rules remain the same. Jamaica goes great with Mexican street favorites, like tacos and tortas, and is one of the most delicious, popular and easy to make of all the aguas (except, of course, for agua simple).

(Sadly, I have no idea where to get hibiscus flowers in the United States...a florist?)

Ingredients
8 cups water
2 cups hibiscus flowers
1 1/2 cup sugar
4 cups ice

Directions

1 - Bring the water to a boil.

2 - Add the hibiscus flowers and 1 cup of sugar, and cook for 1 - 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

3 - Remove from heat and allow flowers to steep for 2 hours.

4 - Pass the mixture through a strainer to remove the flowers. (and you can save the flowers in the fridge for one more use; we do!)

5 - Put the jamaica in a pitcher and check the sugar, add more if necessary.

6 - Add the ice cubes, stir and serve nice and cold (bien frio)!