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Bon Appétit

Hibiscus, Orange, and Vanilla Agua Fresca

5.0

(4)

A glass of hibiscus agua fresca with a lime wheel garnish.
Alex Lau

True, this concoction is slightly more complex than lemonade. But so are most relationships.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    4 Servings

Ingredients

1

vanilla bean, split in half lengthwise

1

Thai chile, split in half lengthwise

4

3-inch strips orange zest

½

cup dried hibiscus flowers or 24 hibiscus tea bags

½

cup sugar

½

cup fresh lime juice

Thin lime wheels (for serving)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Scrape vanilla seeds into a medium saucepan; add pod, chile, orange zest, hibiscus, sugar, and 2 cups boiling water. Let steep until infusion cools to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl, pressing on solids. Stir in lime juice and 2 cups cold water; chill agua fresca 1 hour.

    Step 2

    Divide agua fresca among ice-filled glasses. Garnish with lime wheels.

    Step 3

    Do Ahead: Agua fresca can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.

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Reviews (4)

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  • I love it

    • Anonymous

    • Sanford NC

    • 6/3/2021

  • Is this a fresh thai chile or a dried one?

    • Ellen

    • 11/30/2020

  • This is extremely refreshing and delicious! I made it without the chiles but used a small broken-off stick of ceylon cinnamon, cut the sugar in half, and used 1/4 tsp vanilla extract instead of a bean. Tremendous!

    • Anonymous

    • Indianapolis

    • 5/24/2020