Hibiscus Rum Buck

May 16, 2014
Drinks,Recipes

I can’t believe I survived. We had a week-long heatwave here in the San Francisco Bay Area, and I honestly didn’t think I was gonna make it. Allow me to explain . . . unlike much of the country, where summer temperatures regularly exceed 90 and even 100 degrees, our days usually consist of, how should I say this . . .? Fog. So much fog in fact, that Karl (as he’s lovingly called) even has his own Instagram page. Seriously, we aren’t properly equipped for these temperatures. There aren’t any air conditioning units in our windows; no swimming pools in our backyards. It even takes me a couple days in denial before I switch over to iced coffee. Needless to say, I made it all the way to Friday and I’m treating myself to a cocktail. Not just any cocktail, mind you, but a rum buck! I’ve been saving this recipe specifically for weather like this. It’s so easy to make and so refreshing, even Karl wouldn’t be able to resist.

Hibiscus Rum Buck // HonestlyYUM

Start by making the hibiscus syrup. I liked this recipe because of the fresh ginger!

Hibiscus Rum Buck // HonestlyYUM

Gather your hibiscus flowers, and peel and thinly slice the ginger. In a small saucepan combine the sugar, water, hibiscus flowers, and ginger slices. Stir to combine and cook over medium heat until the sugar completely dissolves.

Hibiscus Rum Buck // HonestlyYUM

Once the sugar has dissolved, remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Let the hibiscus and ginger steep for approximately 30 minutes and then strain through a fine mesh strainer. Be sure to squeeze the hibiscus flowers to extract every last drop of yumminess! Set aside.

Hibiscus Ginger Syrup // HonestlyYUM

Now it’s time for the cocktail. Fill a highball glass halfway with ice. Add the lime juice, hibiscus syrup, and rum.

Hibiscus Rum Buck // HonestlyYUM

Next, for a little extra fun, take the discarded lime shell that you juiced and squeeze it face down into your glass, so that it rests just above the rest of the drink. Obviously whether or not this will work depends on the size of your glass. You’re looking for a snug fit so that the lime creates a seal. If your glass is too thin, or your limes are too big, do not force the lime or you will shatter the glass. Your cocktail will still be the same in the end . . . it’s just a cool party trick.

Hibiscus Rum Buck // HonestlyYUM

Top off your cocktail with the ginger beer. If you have created a proper seal with the lime, your ginger beer will float nicely above the rest of the drink.

Hibiscus Rum Buck // HonestlyYUM

Garnish with a fresh twist of lime.

Hibiscus Rum Buck // HonestlyYUM

Hibiscus Rum Buck // HonestlyYUM

So much bubbly goodness!!

Hibiscus Rum Buck // HonestlyYUM

Once you’ve finished admiring your efforts, carefully use your straw (or bar spoon) to push on the lime and break the seal.

Hibiscus Rum Buck // HonestlyYUM

Your cocktail will mix and be complete!

Hibiscus Rum Buck // HonestlyYUM

Hibiscus Rum Buck

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz white rum
  • 1/2 oz hibiscus syrup
  • 1/2 oz lime juice
  • 2 oz ginger beer
  • twist of lime for garnish

Hibiscus Syrup:

  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • .3 oz (weight) or about 1/4 cup (volume) dried hibiscus flowers
  • 1/2 inch-piece fresh ginger root

Directions:

  • Peel and thinly slice the ginger.
  • In a small saucepan combine the sugar, water, hibiscus flowers, and ginger slices. Stir to combine and cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
  • Remove from heat and let steep for approximately 30 minutes.
  • Strain through a fine mesh strainer to remove the hibiscus and ginger.
  • To make the cocktail, fill a highball glass with ice.
  • Add the lime juice, hibiscus syrup, rum, and ginger beer.
  • Stir to combine.
  • Garnish with a fresh twist of lime.

(images by HonestlyYUM)

Conversation

This looks as beautiful as all of your drinks do!
I’m making this for my midsummer party today in Sweden. The weather is 14°C and rainy, a typical midsummer… 🙁
But I’m sure this drink will make the day warmer and sweeter in every way!
Thank you for your inspirational work!

I tried the drink and me and my friends absolutely loved it. I also like the pictures! What camera do you use?

Thanks for the great recipe! I made this yesterday for a dinner party and everyone loved it! I couldn’t make enough! I used Ginger Ale since I couldn’t find any Ginger Beer, but still delish! Thanks!

LOVE this. I’ve been drinking hibiscus lately like it’s going out of style!

And I’m down in LA and even *I* couldn’t deal with that heat yet. Ugh! At least it’s decided to be in the 70’s for a little bit…

This is stunning! And just for the record: I’d take fog over heat any day. Glad you survived!

I heard about the heat wave!! It was warmer than usual here in Montreal too…but to you it would probably be a nice day, haha! Anyway, hot or warm, I want this drink!! xx

Thank you Katrina!! Now you got me dreaming of Montreal. I still have never been… Can we switch places 🙂

Can I PLEASE come for a visit?? A heat wave sounds incredible if you as me. And these drinks! I mean, they are two colors. SO pretty!

Tieghan, you are ALWAYS welcome!! Given the weather you’ve had, you deserve a little warm Cali sun!

I think all that fog is mysterious and sexy…. then again I live in Phoenix and any change in the weather or seasons would be mysterious and sexy. How do you get such gorgeous indoor photos with all that fog? And how am I just finding your blog??? Speaking of sexy, this drink is one sexy bitch.

Thanks for stopping by, Gwen! So glad you found the site, and thanks for the kind words!! I was just in Phoenix a couple months ago for Spring Training. Loved it! And that heat was soooooo nice. I agree, a little fog here and there is a welcome escape, but it does get a little tiresome after a whole summer.

Ok I love two things here: 1. The color blocking thing going on with the lime/ginger beer float. 2. Hibiscus-ginger syrup. Seems like a fun combination even for a non-alcoholic drink!

Thanks Brandon!! Yep, you can totally make it non-alcoholic. I was actually mixing the hibiscus syrup with some sparkling water on it’s own. Delish!

Summer love drink. Thank you for this delightful and delish recipe!

So, so beautiful! Your cocktails are just stunning. I feel like I say the same thing every time, but it is true. Those glasses are amazing too!

I love hibiscus in cocktails.

Hard for me to even describe how ridiculously good this looks. Or did I just do that? Anyway, LOVE this! Still pushing 100 here today, and it’s ticking towards 5PM, so I am all over this one. By the way, I miss that fog, can you send some south? I grew up across the bay in a little town called Belmont and hope we end up there in a few years. Have an awesome weekend!

Thanks Matt! We’re back in the low 60’s up here. I’ve catered a ton of parties over in Belmont!! That would be SO awesome if you and the fam made your way up to the Bay!! 🙂

Wait- heat wave, no pool?? What?! Well at least you can have a cocktail – and, this one – holy baby! I’ll take this over the pool. Have a few for me too.

Haha..thanks Naomi! Pretty soon you’ll be able to share in all the imbibing 🙂

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