hibiscus cherry smash
I’m home, and while home means some measure of travel-yearning sadness, home also means our whiskey collection and a Friday cocktail. How about it?
Our flight was 40 minutes delayed, the takeoff decently jarring what with a nauseating rattle for the initial few minutes, the body of the excursion sleepy-eyed and dry-mouthed, the descent uncomfortable. I don’t usually get bad sinus pressure but this time I noticed the plugged feeling immediately and for a good bit. I am not prone to severe barosinusitis like J is – breaks my heart to watch him suffer and also angers me that doctors haven’t figured out what’s the matter – but this flight left me feeling a bit sick far past our final descent.
I adore exploring new (and familiar/well loved) places, but I hate flying. As years pass I’m not keenly stressed about the process, but plane cabins aren’t pleasant stays. Nevermind when shrieking children sit nearby or people ignore common courtesy and blare their movies for all nearby to unhappily hear. Thankfully, J and I had the row to ourselves during both flights. I slept much of both, fitfully, tossing my head to and fro and nursing dents where the seatbelt dug into my flesh.
I almost never enjoy leaving Golden, or anywhere, but once I’ve accepted my inevitable farewell, I’m eager to lie in my bed. We stepped into TIA at 11:30 and luckily weren’t kept for a prolonged period. Baggage, shuttle, car, home. AC cranked down, PJs pulled over heads and toes, blankets thrown atop weary souls. Not always pleased home is Florida, but pleased home is home.
Thought it fitting to enjoy a home happy hour on Thursday afternoon once chores were complete and logistics straightened out for the coming weekend. This cocktail is simple, bright, a bourbon lover’s companion.
Cherries are in season now and we keep them around for snacking as often as we can. As I am wont, this smash contains a light amount of mint, some lime, and plenty of fresh brewed hibiscus tea for a gorgeous hue and spicy yet floral undertone. Good for a period where extra relaxation is needed, like post-travel, or after a long toilsome day. Or week. Or month.
Tried this recipe out? Leave a comment below with your thoughts, and don’t forget to come say hi on Instagram and show me what you made!
More fruity summer cocktails:
Smoky Watermelon Mint Margarita
Ingredients
- 2 bags hibiscus tea
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 tbsp honey, or to taste
- 8-10 mint leaves
- 1 oz lime juice
- 2/3 cup cherries, pitted
- 4 oz bourbon
Instructions
- Boil one cup water. Steep tea bags and cinnamon stick for 8-10 minutes. Remove bags and stick; discard. Stir in honey. Let brewed tea cool to room temperature.
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle mint leaves, cherries, and lime juice. Pour in hibiscus tea and bourbon. Add ice and shake vigorously until icy cold. Strain in two glasses over ice and garnish with mint leaves and additional cherries, as desired.
