This Ayurvedic Christmas punch offers a delightful blend of warming spices and citrusy notes, perfect for bringing comfort and balance to your festive gatherings. Enjoy its rejuvenating flavors!
Ingredients:
- 4 cups water
- 1-inch/2,5 cm piece of fresh ginger, sliced
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4-5 cloves
- 4-5 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
- 1-2 tablespoons dried hibiscus flowers or 2 hibiscus tea bags
- 1-2 tablespoons jaggery or honey (adjust to taste)
- Juice of 2 oranges
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
- Slices of orange or lemon for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- In a saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a gentle boil.
- Add the juice of the orange, sliced ginger, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and crushed cardamom pods to the boiling water.
- Reduce the heat and let the spices simmer for about 10-15 minutes to infuse the water with their flavors.
- If using dried hibiscus flowers, add them to the simmering water. Let it steep for 5 minutes. If using hibiscus tea bags, steep them in the hot water according to package instructions.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Strain the spiced tea mixture, discarding the spices.
- Stir in jaggery while the tea is still warm to help it dissolve completely (when using honey let it cool down a bit).
- Add the freshly squeezed lemon juice to the tea and stir well.
- Before serving, add fresh mint leaves for a touch of aroma and garnish each glass with a slice of orange or lemon if desired.
- Drink warm or allow the spiced tea to cool to room temperature.