Chilled Red Grape, Hibiscus and Thyme Infusion with Vanilla
An original, fragrant, and refreshing drink that combines muddled red grapes, bold hibiscus, fresh thyme, and a gentle touch of vanilla. Served very cold, it has a light texture and a balanced profile of fruity sweetness and herbal notes.
Ingredients
- 300 g seedless red grapes (partidas por the mitad)
- 12 g dried hibiscus flowers (also llamadas flor of jamaica)
- 900 ml water (divided)
- 45 g honey (ajustar to taste)
- 4 unit fresh thyme sprigs (more extra for decorar if desired)
- 5 ml vanilla extract (puro)
- 30 ml lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 400 g ice (for enfriar and servir)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
No declared allergens
Instructions
- 1
1. In a small saucepan, bring 500 ml water to a boil over medium-high heat, about 212°F/100°C.
- 2
2. Remove the saucepan from the heat, add the dried hibiscus flowers and 2 fresh thyme sprigs. Cover and let steep for 8 minutes.
- 3
3. Strain the infusion to remove the hibiscus and thyme, then stir in the honey and vanilla extract while still warm. Mix until fully dissolved.
- 4
4. In a large pitcher, gently muddle the seedless red grapes with the lemon juice using a wooden spoon or muddler, just until they release some of their juice.
- 5
5. Add the sweetened hibiscus infusion, the remaining 400 ml water, and the remaining 2 fresh thyme sprigs to the pitcher. Mix well.
- 6
6. Add half of the ice to the pitcher to chill the drink quickly. Let it rest for 5 minutes so the grapes and thyme can flavor the mixture.
- 7
7. Divide the remaining ice among 4 glasses and pour the drink over it, strained or with the grapes included, as you prefer. Garnish with extra thyme if desired and serve immediately.
- 8
8. If you prefer an even colder drink, refrigerate the pitcher for 10 minutes before serving at about 39°F/4°C.
Chef tips
For a deeper flavor, let the grapes sit with the lemon juice for 5 minutes before adding the infusion. Strain twice if you want a cleaner, more elegant drink.
Substitutions
You can replace the honey with agave syrup for a vegan version. Thyme can be swapped for fresh basil for a sweeter, more herbal profile.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageVictorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef’s Knife
Chopping, slicing and cutting strips
- The knife I use most when cooking
- Chops, slices and cuts into strips
- Keep it sharp and hand-dry it
Illustrative imageTeakhaus Teak Cutting Board
Stable base for chopping
- Stable surface for chopping
- Gentle on your knife edge
- Hand-wash and let it dry
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