Cooking with hibiscus or jamaica

Dried hibiscus flowers used for cooking.

A hibiscus syrup can be used to make the cocktail, and to drizzle on the dessert.   (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times )

A pair of jamaica margaritas  (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

A Pavlova dessert, drizzled with hibiscus syrup.   (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times )

Tacos made with queso fresco, goat cheese, cilantro, cumin seeds, and hibiscus braised in chicken broth and chipotle chili.   (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times )