Autumn has descended upon us and brings with it plenty of opportunities for entertaining. Design your next table with a fabulous floral design in fall colors and fragrances. For an extra touch of the season, infuse your menu with recipes that include edible flowers. The garden-fresh feel of your meal will inspire the spirit of the season for your guests. Walter Knoll Florist has a multitude of floral designs and edible flower recipes to help you make your next get-together a success.

Add a garden-fresh accent to your table with this Seasonal Splendor, a medley of autumn colors and textures. Roses, alstromeria, sunflowers, eryngium, hypericum berries, and button poms in classic fall colors overflow out of this fall-inspired glass Artista vase.

This rustic design will only be enhanced when you offer the Agua de Jamaica hibiscus tea to your guests:

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.

Refresh and revive the senses in the new season with delicious fall flowers. The floral designers at Walter Knoll Florist are glad to share our flowers and recipes with you, and we want to hear about your favorites, as well!