A hibiscus calyx in prosecco. (Alicia Mazzara)
Drink of the Week: Hibiscus
Where: Tacqueria Nacionale, Tacos El Chilango, Lupo Verde, Tico, El Centro
It’s cherry blossom season, which can only mean two things: hoards of tourists clogging the Tidal Basin and cherry-flavored food and drink specials clogging up area menus. Even avowed cherry fans must concede that the fruit doesn’t need to make it’s way into every single sweet or savory dish eaten during April. So while local restaurants don’t seem to think the city has hit peak cherry yet, this week’s Feed is highlighting a different kind of flower.
Dried hibiscus flowers are brewed into an astringent tea in many parts of the world. Around D.C., you may have seen a sweetened version at Mexican restaurants listed as aqua fresca de Jamaica. The hibiscus brew tastes a little bit like cranberry juice, but with a floral finish that’s less biting than Ocean Spray. You’ll often find it behind the counter at Tacqueria Nacional (1409 T St NW) or Tacos El Chilango (1119 V Street NW), and it’s a refreshing way to wash down some spicy tacos.
Although it’s technically not a fruit juice, hibiscus tea also plays well with summery cocktails. The fresh, tangy flavor stands in nicely for lime, and it’s no surprise to see it frequently paired with tequila or mezcal. Tico (1926 14th Street NW) likes hibiscus so much they offer a hibiscus margarita on draft, while El Centro (1819 14th Street NW and 1218 Wisconsin Avenue NW) makes a hibiscus cocktail with with spicy chili, ginger, and smokey mezcal. Lupo Verde (1401 T Street NW) also regularly features the bud, using hibiscus syrup in a twist on the Peruvian pisco sour.
If you want to experiment with hibiscus drinks at home, look for them being sold in either tea bags or in loose pieces at your local bodega.
Small Bites
As American as baseball and craft beer
Bluejacket will be celebrating the Nat’s opening day this Monday with their first annual Bluejacket Opening Day Fest. Stop by Lot O (behind the Trapeze School at 4th & Tingey Street SE) between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. for beers, burgers, and sausages, as well as fried chicken and doughnuts from GBD. The festival will also feature live music, outdoor games, and a batting cage and fast pitch booth for those feeling athletic. While the event is free, folks can reserve the Triple Play food and drink package (one food item, two beers, and two rounds of games) for $30 online.
Food for your brain
Go eat some sweets for a good cause at Poste’s Sugar Showdown, a pastry chef competition benefiting local non-profit Brainfood. The event takes place on April 16 from 6-8 p.m. on Poste’s patio (700 F Street NW) and features 2941’s Caitlin Dysart; Rare Sweets’ Meredith Tomason; Trummer’s On Main’s Deborah Brown, Pearl Dive Oyster Palace’s Carri-Anne Hamer, and Poste’s Casto Unson. Guests will get a chance to sample and vote on all of the participating desserts; sparkling wine and light appetizers will also be provided. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online.
April, you so cheesy
April is National Grilled Cheese month, and ENO Wine Bar (2810 Pennsylvania Avenue NW) is getting in on the action with a rotating selection of weekly grilled cheese sandwiches. This week kicks off with a blend of camembert and cheddar blend, or amp up your grilled cheese game with some duck proscuitto, soppressata, or any other cured meat off the charcuterie menu.
