Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Iced Tea) Recipe
Agua de Jamaica is a refreshing Mexican hibiscus tea made by boiling dried hibiscus flowers with sugar, cinnamon, and ginger to create a tart and sweet beverage. It is served chilled with lime and orange slices, perfect for a cooling, flavorful drink.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Boiling/Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 slices of ginger root
- Orange slices (for garnish, optional)
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 cup dried jamaica (hibiscus/sorrel/roselle)
- ½ cup white or turbinado sugar (or sweetener of choice)
- 8 cups water, divided
Instructions
- Boil the hibiscus and spices: In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the dried jamaica flowers and sugar, stirring continuously until the sugar fully dissolves. Add the cinnamon stick and ginger slices if using. Allow the mixture to boil for 5 minutes to extract the flavors.
- Strain the tea: Remove the pot from heat and strain the hibiscus mixture through a fine sieve or cheesecloth to remove the flowers, cinnamon, and ginger pieces. This leaves a vibrant red flavorful tea.
- Mix and chill: Pour the strained tea into a pitcher and add the remaining 4 cups of cold water to dilute. Stir in the lime juice and add orange slices if desired. Place the pitcher in the refrigerator to chill thoroughly.
- Serve: Serve the Agua de Jamaica over plenty of ice cubes for a refreshing cold drink.
Notes
- You can adjust the sweetness by adding more sugar or your preferred sweetener.
- Adding cinnamon and ginger adds a nice warming spice note but can be omitted if you prefer a straightforward hibiscus flavor.
- For a tangier twist, increase the lime juice slightly.
- This drink is naturally caffeine-free and can be served to all ages.
- Keep refrigerated and consume within 3-4 days for best flavor and freshness.
