As autumn approaches we shift our entertaining focus to items centered around harvest delights and fall flavors. Add a bit of unique flavor to your next get-together by infusing your drinks or meal with edible flowers. The freshness will take on a whole new meaning, especially when paired with one of Gordon Boswell Flowers’ stunning bouquets.

Place this Sunflower Seasons design at the center of your next fall table for a delightful welcome to changing seasons. These bright sunflowers are accompanied by rustic roses in fall hues and accented by plenty of fresh fall foliage. A small pumpkin even peeks out from behind the sunflower for a lovely harvest look.Try serving up a fresh twist on iced tea with this Hibiscus Tea, Agua de Jamaica.

INGREDIENTS

•    2 quarts water
•    3/4 to 1 cup sugar (depending on how sweet you would like it to be)
•    1 cup dried hibiscus flowers
•    1/2 cinnamon stick (optional)
•    A few thin slices ginger (optional)
•    Allspice berries (optional)
•    Lime juice (optional)
•    Orange or lime slices for garnish

METHOD

1 Boil water with sugar and spices: Put 4 cups of the water and the sugar in a medium saucepan. Add cinnamon, ginger slices, and/or a few allspice berries if you would like. Heat until boiling and the sugar has dissolved.

2 Steep with dried hibiscus flowers: Remove from heat. Stir in the dried hibiscus flowers. Cover and let sit for 20 minutes.

3 Strain:  Strain into a pitcher and discard the used hibiscus flowers, ginger, cinnamon, and/or allspice berries.

(At this point you can store ahead the concentrate, chilled, until ready to make the drink.)

4 Add water: Add remaining 4 cups of water (or if you want to chill the drink quickly, ice and water) to the concentrate, and chill.

Alternatively you can add ice and chilled soda water for a bubbly version.

Add a little lime juice for a more punch-like flavor.

Serve over ice with a slice of orange or lime.

Freshen up your next fall get-together with a creative drink that everyone will enjoy. Talk to the floral experts at Gordon Boswell Flowers for more great ideas, tips and advice for pairing edible flower recipes with gorgeous centerpieces and designs.