Description
This popular Mexican beverage, Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Iced Tea), is a sweet, tart, and refreshing drink made from simmering dried hibiscus flowers. You only need three simple ingredients and 15 minutes to make it!
Kitchen tools you'll need:
-
- A large pot or large saucepan
- A mesh strainer
- A pitcher big enough for serving and storage.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of Dried Hibiscus Flowers (Flores de Jamaica)
- 1/2 cup of Sugar (or your favorite sweetener - White sugar, brown, raw sugar, agave nectar, or try this sugar-free simple syrup recipe)
- 8 cups of Water (divided).
Instructions
Step 1: BOIL
Mix 1 cup of dried hibiscus flowers (Flores de Jamaica) and 4 cups of water in a large pot. Bring them to a gentle boil.
Step 2: STEEP
After 5 minutes, remove the pot from the heat and let the flowers steep for 10 minutes.
Step 3: STRAIN
Using a mesh strainer, separate the flowers from the tea into a pitcher. Discard the flowers. This makes a hibiscus tea concentrate.
Step 4: SWEETEN
Add 1/2 cup of sugar or your chosen sweetener to a pitcher and stir until it dissolves. Taste as you go and increase the sweetener if desired.
TIP: This hibiscus tea concentrate makes an excellent foundation for mocktails and cocktails.
Step 5: FINISH
Finish by adding the remaining 4 cups of cold water.
Step 6: STIR WELL AND CHILL
Voilà, a large batch of refreshments!
Notes
- WHERE TO BUY DRIED HIBISCUS FLOWERS CALLED “FLOR DE JAMAICA”
Dried hibiscus flowers are sold in most Mexican grocery stores, Mexican markets, and even some Asian stores in the United States. You can also find them at large retailers like Wal-Mart and even online. - RECIPE VARIATIONS:
- Infuse with cinnamon sticks or allspice berries for a spicy twist.
- Add a splash of lime juice or lemon juice for extra zing.
- Swap sugar for maple syrup or honey as a sugar substitute. Or try this Monk Fruit Simple Syrup Recipe (sugar-free).
- For a fizzy version, mix with soda water.
- Turn it into hot hibiscus tea on chilly evenings (remember, it is caffeine-free).
- Experiment with various fruit juices to alter the flavor of the tea. I like adding a splash of juice, like pineapple, for an extra tropical flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Glass
- Calories: 52
- Sugar: 12.5 g
- Sodium: 0.1 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat:
- Carbohydrates: 13.2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
