Watermelon + Hibiscus Paletas

Latin paletas {also known as ice pops or popsicles} are usually made from fresh fruit ... some are cream-based, but most are water-based. 

Watermelon + Hibiscus are common flavors for authentic agua frescas ... they work perfectly together for paletas too!  These delicious flavors make a mouth-watering, refreshing pair.  

WATERMELON + HIBISCUS PALETAS

Perfectly sweet + hydrating ... these paletas will keep you happy + cooled off throughout the summer. 

Equipment: Medium-Size Saucepan w/ Lid, 8-Cup Measuring Cup or Large Bowl, Fine Mesh Strainer, Cutting Board, Sharp Quality Chef's Knife, Blender, Popsicle Molds 

{Affiliate links included help support this blog.}

Ingredients

• 2 cups filtered water  
• 2 tablespoons hibiscus flowers*
• 2 tablespoons raw honey {or sweetener of choice}
• 3 cups fresh or frozen organic seedless watermelon, cubed 

Instructions

1. In a medium-size saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to boil.  Remove from heat and add hibiscus flowers.  COVER with a lid and let steep for at least 1 hour {covering helps keep all of the beneficial properties in the tea}.  For a bolder flavor, I steep mine for about 2 hours or more.  

2. Over a 8-cup measuring cup or large bowl, strain tea through a fine mesh strainer, set aside and allow to cool {by this point, it should be close to room temperature, if not, stick it into the refrigerator to cool completely}.  

3. Prep watermelon: wash the rind {I use a water-vinegar solution} before cutting into watermelon; using a cutting board and sharp quality chef's knife, cut watermelon flesh into cubes.  

4. Add watermelon cubes, honey + 2 cups of the cooled hibiscus tea to a blender.  Blend on medium speed to combine.  Puree until liquified and no watermelon chunks remain.

5. Pour watermelon-hibiscus mixture into popsicles molds. 

6. Place in freezer for at least 7 hours or until completely frozen.  

7. Enjoy on a hot day!

Yield: Makes 8 to 10 paletas ... with a little bit leftover to sample. 

Tip: Once paletas are frozen, run popsicle mold under hot water to release the mold from the paleta. 

*Notes: If you would prefer to use tea bags instead of bulk herbs, try substituting with this or this.  I use these BPA free popsicle molds ... if you prefer a stainless steel set, check these out.  

Vegan Option: Replace honey with sweetener of choice. 

Where Do I Buy Bulk Herbs? I buy bulk organic herbs, spices + more here.  

OTHER PALETAS + POPSICLES TO ENJOY

Cantaloupe Mint Paletas from Rubies & Radishes 

Strawberry Rose Paleta from Nutrition Stripped 

Paleta de Sandia y Frutas from The Nourishing Gourmet 

Delicious Lime Creamsicles from Just Making Noise 

Homemade Fudgesicles from Recipes to Nourish

Kiwi Apricot & Mango Pops from The Spunky Coconut

Cherry Cheesecake Popsicles from A Girl Worth Saving
Coconut Milk Popsicles from Hybrid Rasta Mama
Strawberries & Cream Popsicles from The Coconut Mama

   

HAVE YOU EVER HAD PALETAS BEFORE?

Amazon and Mountain Rose Herbs links are affiliate links, prices are the same for you.  Should you decide to purchase through my blog, thank you in advance and much gratitude for supporting Recipes to Nourish.

Hibiscus Strawberry Iced Tea Cooler

I can't drink Hibiscus Cooler without thinking about both of my pregnancies.  Each time I drink it, delicious sweet flavors waken my taste buds and take me back to beautiful memories ... my midwife fed it to me while I labored in the water {birthing tub} + my husband got cold glasses of it for me to sip on during my babymoon.  

Hibiscus has a very distinct, delightful taste ... tart, lemony + fruity.  It's heavenly paired with sweet, juicy strawberries.

My family loves this tasty iced tea cooler ... especially when the weather heats up.  It's perfect for the whole family {but make sure to omit the honey if you're feeding it to a baby under 2 years old}.    

HIBISCUS STRAWBERRY ICED TEA COOLER

Perfect drink for rehydrating during the warmer months.  Full of flavor + not too sweet ... this mouthwatering iced tea cooler will have you reaching for a second glass.  Enjoy! 

Equipment: Medium-Size Saucepan w/ Lid, 8-Cup Measuring Cup or Large Bowl, Fine Mesh Strainer, Blender, Pitcher 

{Affiliate links included help support this blog.}

Ingredients

• 1 quart + 1 cup filtered water, divided 
• 2 tablespoons hibiscus flowers*
• 1 teaspoon lemongrass*
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon chips*
• 2 tablespoons raw honey {or sweetener of choice}
• 2 cups frozen organic strawberries

• 1 cup fresh organic strawberries, hulled and sliced 
• 3 cups ice cubes {made from filtered water, I make my ice cubes with this} 

Instructions

1. In a medium-size saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to boil.  Remove from heat and add hibiscus flowers, lemongrass + cinnamon chips.  COVER with a lid and let steep for at least 30 minutes {covering helps keep all of the beneficial properties in the tea}.  For a richer flavor, I steep mine for about 1 hour or more.  

2. Over a 8-cup measuring cup or large bowl, strain tea through a fine mesh strainer, set aside.  

3. Add frozen strawberries, honey + about 2 cups of the tea to a blender.  Blend on medium speed to combine.  Puree until liquified and no strawberry chunks remain.

4. Pour strawberry mixture back into the tea {Note: If you prefer, strain strawberry mixture through a fine mesh strainer back into the tea.}.  Add 1 cup water, stir to combine.  Refrigerate until chilled.

5. Add 3 cups of ice + fresh sliced strawberries to a pitcher and pour cold hibiscus strawberry tea over.

Serve over ice with sliced strawberries to garnish.

Yield: Makes about 6 cups without ice added. 

*Note: If you would prefer to use tea bags instead of bulk herbs, try substituting with this or this. 

Vegan Option: Replace honey with sweetener of choice. 

Where Do I Buy Bulk Herbs? I buy bulk organic herbs, spices + more here.  

OTHER COLD DRINKS TO ENJOY

Vitamin C Herbal Tea by Recipes to Nourish 
Blended Watermelon Lemonade by Recipes to Nourish
Raspberry Lime Elixer by The Organic Kitchen 
Nourishing Herbal Tea Infusion by Recipes to Nourish
Berry Lemonade Kombucha by Live Simply 
Watermelon Cucumber Juice by Recipes to Nourish
Cherry Mint Lemonade by Recipes to Nourish
Honeydew & Lime Agua Fresca by Recipes to Nourish
Nettle Cinnamon Herbal Tea by Recipes to Nourish
The PinkBerry by The Organic Kitchen  

HAVE YOU EVER HAD HIBISCUS COOLER BEFORE?

This post is shared at Real Food Wednesday @ Kelly the Kitchen Kop, Allergy-Free Wednesdays @ The Tasty Alternative, Gluten-Free & DIY Tuesdays @ Allergy Free Alaska,  Fat Tuesday @ Real Food Forager, + Paleo AIP Recipe Roundtable @ Phoenix Helix. 

Amazon and Mountain Rose Herbs links are affiliate links, prices are the same for you.  Should you decide to purchase through my blog, thank you in advance and much gratitude for supporting Recipes to Nourish.