Bottlebrush and Hibiscus Syrup

A Recipe for Birak Season - First Summer.

A twist on a traditional Noongar drink, Mungitch, traditionally made from bottlebrush and banksia. The addition of hibisus gives a tasty sour twang to the brew and sugar helps with the preservation.

BOTTLEBRUSH

Has antioxidant, anti-fungal and antibacterial properties and was traditionally used for diarrhea, gastrointestinal disorders, UTIs and coughs.

NATIVE HIBISCUS

Supports blood pressure and full of vitamin C, minerals, soluble fiber, and antioxidant flavonoids. Energetically cooling.

INGREDIENTS

• Approx. 20 flower spikes of bottlebrush (see tip)

• 1/4 C dried hibiscus flowers

• 1.5 C raw sugar

• 1L filtered water

• 1L sterilised jar

• 1L sterilised bottle

METHOD

• Add the sugar to the 1 L sterilised jar.

• Boil 1 L filtered water and allow to cool slightly. Add just enough water to the jar to dissolve the sugar and stir well.

• Remove the stamen clusters from the flower spikes and pack the clusters very tightly into the jar along with the dried hibiscus, leaving a 2cm gap between the top of the jar and the lid.

• Top with the boiled, completely cooled water until all the flowers are submerged and the water level reached the very top of the jar.

• Weigh down flowers with a clean ceramic dish and cover with a clean tea towel or muslin, securing with an elastic band.

• Place in a warm area with a dish underneath to catch any spills caused by fermentation.

• Bubbles should appear after a week if kept in a warm place (20-25°C).

• When fermentation has occurred, strain the syrup through a sieve lined with cheese cloth to remove all the particulates.

• Pour into sterilized bottles and store in the fridge. Use within 2 months.

• TO SERVE: 1-2 Tbls of syrup in a glass, topped with sparkling water.

TIP

• Harvest bottlebrush flower spikes in the height of bloom, they should be full of nectar. Gently tap the flower spike against your palm to check, your hand should be covered in nectar.

• Collect bottlebrush from your property or that of someone you know. Wild bottlebrush cannot be harvested.

• Use secateurs to harvest the flower spikes.

• Shake off any critters that may have made their way onto the flowers and give the flowers a rinse, shaking off the excess water.

• When you are ready to make the syrup, remove the flower heads away from the ‘cone’, discarding the cone.