If you go to Egypt, one thing to bring back home is wine-red dried hibiscus petals.

Ingredients

　　1 cup hibiscus petals (karkade)

　　5 cups water

　　Sugar to taste

　　Put the petals in a pan with the water. Bring to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Let cool, then filter into a jug and chill, covered with plastic wrap. Serve chilled. The drink is quite tart. Let everyone add sugar to taste.

　　Cooks' Note

　　The drink can also be served hot like tea.

　　The New Book of Middle Eastern Food Copyright © 2000Knopf