Enjoying Early Summer in El Paso, Texas

El Paso, Texas, my home town,  has an extended summer season, which is why I decided to divide this season into Early Summer  (late April to early June) and Late Summer (mid-June to late September).  Early Summer is a euphoric time.  Daylight Savings Time provides an opportunity to wander around the house in early morning with coffee cup in hand to find a sun-filled location to greet the day.  The much reviled Spring Winds make only an occasional appearance.  And El Paso is green again, well, at least as green as the high desert ever becomes.

Early Summer holds such promise.  We can now live a good portion of our days and evenings outdoors. Family schedules are relaxed, outings are discussed, and alfresco meals are planned.  We anticipate long, lazy days to daydream and create a better life.

The entertainment section of the local newspaper lists more free summer activities than one person could ever attend.  I do believe you can find a music venue every night of the week. Showing vintage movies on a large, inflatable screen is a favorite city activity.   And then there are the sporting events, the art galleries, the new restaurants with outdoor patio seating, the church bazaars.  Do I want to fill up my time with activities, or just watch the hummingbirds zoom in for a sip of nectar from the feeder outside the kitchen window?

I feel the urge to prepare cool beverages and picnic foods.  Here is a  recipe that I just dug out of the recipe box, or to be honest, the messy folder with recipe clippings.  Maybe I’ll get around to organizing recipes this summer.  After all, Early Summer brings the anticipation of unlimited time available for whatever we might want to do.

Jamaica (Hibiscus Flower Water)

Summertime presents lots of excuses to sit in the shade with a cool drink.  Our favorite summer beverage is a beautiful, ruby red non-alcoholic drink called Jamaica.  It is a type of agua fresca, a drink beloved of El Pasoans when the city starts to sizzle with summer heat.  Aguas frescas, concocted with fruit, water and sweeteners, are displayed in large glass jars and served at outdoor fairs, church bazaars, and authentic Mexican food restaurants.  The drinks are available in different flavors, but our choice is Jamaica, made from dried hibiscus flowers.  We make an outing to a Hispanic specialty grocery store to stock up each year.

Ingredients

One cup of dried hibiscus flowers

Eight cups of water

One cup sugar (or equivalent sweetener)

Procedure

Bring water to boil.  Add dried hibiscus flowers and allow to steep approximately thirty minutes.  Strain liquid into a large pitcher.  Add sweetener to taste.  Chill before serving and serve over ice.  I like to add lemon or lime juice to my glass.  Sometimes I add  seltzer water also to give the drink a fizz.

You will feel like you are drinking a very special beverage.  Jamaica is a good substitute drinks for non-drinkers or children.  Caution:  Don’t spill this drink on your white summer outfit.  The drink will cause a stain similar to grape juice!