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agua de jamaica (Hibiscus Tea )

I grew up drinking hibiscus tea (agua de jamaica). In Mexico, every meal is served with an agua fresca on the side. If you open the fridge of any Mexican family, you'll find a big pitcher of some agua fresca (a refreshing beverage) in there.

Recipe

Close-up of a glass filled with a red drink and ice cubes, placed on a light-colored cloth. Another similar glass is slightly out of focus in the background. There are dried hibiscus petals scattered around the glasses, suggesting a Jamaican water drink. The background is a light gray surface.

What is hibiscus (Jamaica flowers)?

The hibiscus flower (flor de jamaica) is a plant that grows worldwide in tropical-ish weather. It has a trumpet shape and a deep red color.

It is harvested and dried so we can make a delicious tea. You can drink hot or cold hibiscus tea. If you create an authentic Mexican drink, it will typically be served cold.

💥FUN FACT 

Hibiscus is also known as roselle (Australia), sorrel (Caribean), jamaica, or rosa de jamaica (Latin America). 

In México we call it jamaica and this is how you pronounce it: hah-may-kah.
A white bowl filled with dried hibiscus petals, the key ingredient for agua de jamaica, is in the foreground. Behind it, a wooden bowl contains a creamy white substance, possibly sugar. A few loose hibiscus petals are scattered near the bowls on a light surface. The background is soft and out of focus.

How does Flor de Jamaica – hibiscus flower taste?

Hibiscus taste is very complex. It is tart, sweet, and reminiscent of cranberries. In a way, you know these flavors, and they might taste familiar. Hibiscus tea is caffeine-free, so feel free to taste it any time of the day.

A white saucepan filled with red water and red vegetable peelings, resting on a black-and-white striped cloth on a light gray surface. Steam rises gently from the pan, indicating that the contents are hot. The image's focus showcases the simplicity and rustic nature of kitchen preparation, akin to brewing fresh agua de jamaica.
A hand pours a pot of cooked red hibiscus flowers and liquid, rich with the essence of agua de jamaica, through a fine mesh strainer set over a bowl. The vibrant red liquid collects below while the strainer catches the hibiscus petals. A light background and a striped cloth peek into view beneath the bowl.

How to make authentic Agua de Jamaica?

  1. First, bring 4-6 cups of water to a boil in a pot. When it reaches a rolling boil, turn the heat off.
  2. Add the hibiscus flowers and let them steep.
  3. Strain the tea and add it to a pitcher.
  4. Sweeten your hibiscus tea with sugar or your preferred sweetener.
  5. Mix and serve.
A close-up of a glass pitcher filled with dark red liquid, likely agua de jamaica. A hand is pouring sugar from a small wooden bowl into the pitcher. The pitcher sits on a folded white and gray striped cloth on a light-colored surface.

Some Helpful Tips to make the best agua fresca

  • Where do I buy hibiscus flowers? You’ll find it next to the dry chiles in the Mexican food section in supermarkets. In some places, you can purchase it in bulk or order it through Amazon or other online stores.

  • What is hibiscus (Jamaica please 

    flowers)? The hibiscus flower (flor de jamaica) is a plant. One of my favorite ways to eat them is in tacos, yes, tacos de jamaica with avocado slices.
  • Hibiscus tea, also known as “agua fresca,” tastes delicious when combined with lime or lemon, mint, strawberries, like in this hibiscus strawberry margarita or paletas, and cherries.
A pitcher of refreshing agua de jamaica is being poured into a clear glass filled with ice cubes and some berries. The glass is placed on a light grey surface, and a few drops of the crimson liquid are visible on the surface near the glass.
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A metallic pitcher pours a vibrant red agua de jamaica into a clear glass filled with ice cubes. The background is a light, textured surface, and a small droplet of the red liquid has spilled near the glass. The focus is on the action of pouring the drink.

Hibiscus Tea (agua de jamaica)

Alejandra Graf
I grew up drinking hibiscus tea (agua de jamaica). In Mexico, every meal is served with an agua fresca on the side. If you open the fridge of any Mexican family, you'll find a big pitcher of some agua fresca (a refreshing beverage) in there.
4.58 de 7 votos
Prep Time 0 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Cooling time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 6 people
Calories 64 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 6 cups of water
  • 1 ½ cups dried hibiscus flowers
  • 1/2 cup sugar, or more to taste

For serving

  • ice

Instructions
 

  • Bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil. Turn the heat off and add the the dried hibiscus flowers.
  • Let it rest for 8-10 minutes.
    Strain the liquid into a pitcher.
  • Add 2 more cups of water and the sugar. Mix and taste, adjust if necessary.
  • Add ice to the pitcher or serve in a glass filled with ice.

Notes

You could also save the concentrate in a jar or glass bottle with a stopper cap and prepare a glass of hibiscus tea each time.
You just add about one-third of a cup of concentrate to the glass, the sweetener of your choice, and more water. 
If you buy the tea by bulk, be sure to rinse it before adding it to the boiling water.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 64kcalCarbohydrates: 17gFat: 1gSodium: 14mgPotassium: 12mgSugar: 17gVitamin A: 175IUCalcium: 12mgIron: 1mg
Keyword agua de jamaica, agua fresca, Hibiscus, jamaica drink, mexican drinks

information

Nutritional information of this recipe is only an estimate, the accuracy for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Did you make this recipe?Tag @piloncilloyvainilla on Instagram and hashtag it #alecooks so we can all see your creations.

What are the benefits of hibiscus?

It has a ton of benefits. Hibiscus is known for its impressive amount of antioxidants, for helping with blood pressure, and for many other things.

4.58 from 7 votes (7 ratings without comment)
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