Hibiscus is used throughout the Middle East and Latin America to make a ruby-red herbal tea. You can find the flowers at a tea or herb retailer. This hibiscus cordial is the brainchild of our bar manager and long-time friend Robert Krueger. This cleverly designed cordial brings out a rich color, beautiful floral notes, and a nice citrus flavor from the dried hibiscus flowers. It’s the main ingredient in Rob’s Roselle cocktail (page 71). Vodka and brandy serve to fortify the cordial for longer use.

Ingredients

　　2 cups water

　　1/2 cup dried hibiscus flowers

　　1 1/2 pounds superfine sugar

　　2 1/2 ounces 100-proof vodka

　　2 1/2 ounces VS cognac

　　Bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Decrease the heat and add the hibiscus flowers and sugar; stir until the sugar is entirely dissolved. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Add the vodka and cognac, then strain and bottle immediately.

　　Reprinted with permission from Speakeasy: The Employees Only Guide to Classic Cocktails Reimagined by Jason Kosmas and Dushan Zaric, © 2010 Ten Speed Press. Buy the full book from Amazon or Bookshop.