Nam krajeab

Method

1. 1 Wash the dried hibiscus flowers, then soak them in cold water for 10 minutes and discard the first soaking water.
2. 2 Boil water with crushed lemongrass, then turn off the heat and add the flowers, letting them steep for 15 minutes.
3. 3 Put the flowers into the water after the heat has been turned off; do not boil them, as boiling will make the water bitter and cloudy.
4. 4 Strain the water, then dissolve the sugar in it while it's still warm.
5. 5 Let it cool completely before adding the honey and lemon juice.
6. 6 Chill for 3 hours, then pour into a glass with ice; the color should be clear red, not cloudy.

With an appliance

• Microwave 27 min

  Replace step 2: Heat water with lemongrass in a deep bowl at 900W for 5 minutes, then add hibiscus flowers and let it steep for 15 minutes; reduce the heat to about 3 minutes, do not monitor the heat and still avoid boiling the flowers directly so the water is clear and less bitter. Honey and lemon should still only be added when cool.