Jamaican Iced Tea: Beautiful Elixir

At first taste I wasn't too crazy about it.  But sip after sip it sort of grew on me.  It's not your typical tea.  The flavors run deep with  fruity/ floral/ peppery currents. 

To make a half gallon you'll need:

• 4 hibiscus tea bags
• a knob of fresh ginger
• 4 cups of grape juice

In a saucepan thinly slice an inch or so fresh ginger, add 5 cups of water and bring to boil.  Boil covered for about 15 minutes. 

Remove from heat and  add the tea bags.  Steep, covered,  at least half an hour. 

Add 4 cups of grape juice.  Chill.  Serve over ice, with a slice of orange on the glass.

You can adjust the ginger to taste, but is should have a dominant flavor.

I don't add any additional sweeterner, it tastes best only slightly sweet, but you can add some if you prefer.

For punch add an equal part of any lemon lime soda--like 7 up or Sierra Mist.

It's a beautiful color and a nice change of pace.

Some consider it healthy since hibiscus lowers blood pressure, ginger lowers cholesterol and concord grape juice is good for the heart.