Agua de Jamaica drink is so loved! Make this simple, refreshing beverage made from dried hibiscus leaves and sugar (or sugar-free too!). All you need to start this traditional drink is two ingredients: Flor de Jamaica flowers and sugar for this easy-to-make + delicious drink.
For other fresh drinks try Agua De Melon, and Strawberry Water recipes.
What Is Jamaica Drink?
Named Jamaica, because it originated in the island of Jamaica! It is known as hibiscus / sorrel tea in the Caribbean. The version Jamaican sorrel tea includes the use of ginger and pepper in its recipes, and it is also very refreshing.
This recipe is a version of authentic Agua de Jamaica consumed widely in Mexico and where I’m from in Los Angeles. I grew up drinking this tea, it’s my pops favorite, and I’m definitely no stranger to it.
Tip: When there is no time for boiling or on the move, I add a couple (two, yep, that’s it) dried leaves to my water bottle. In a couple of hours a raw steeped and unsweetened red hibiscus tea is ready! The longer the steep the better, but I average 2 hours.
Ingredients
Ingredient Quick List: water, dried jamaica flower, sugar (cane sugar), ice and garnish optional.
- 7 1/2 cups Water
- ½ cup Dried Jamaica flowers (about 22-25 pieces)
- ½ cup Sugar (cane sugar or white)
Ingredient Notes
Dried hibiscus / jamaica flowers can be found in the produce section or spice section of your local grocer. Normally not in the spice section where individual spice jars are though, look for the wall with individually packaged spices. That is where they are normally located in markets. Dried hibiscus can also be purchased online.
Sugar: Cane sugar, palm sugar, or white sugar. Sugar substitutes to make your drink sugar-free can be used as well just tailor amount to suit dietary needs.
Optional garnishes for treating yourself or serving: Fresh slices of orange in each cup or in the pitcher is our favorite way to enjoy it! Other options include sugar rim, dehydrated orange / mandarin / blood orange slices or fresh sliced lemon or lime.
Ways To Spice Up Agua De Jamaica
For spicing it up, some traditions add a stick of cinnamon to the pitcher for a hint of cinnamon spice, no boil necessary. Note: Avoid cinnamon if allergy is present.
Step-By-Step Instructions
To make the Agua de Jamaica
- Place water and Jamaica Flowers in a large boiling pot and boil for 15 minutes on medium heat. (Pro Tip! Set timer as a reminder, you don’t want to overcook your flowers and result in a bitter dry taste.)
- Once boiling is complete, turn the stove off, and with a slotted spoon remove all hibiscus leaves and set them to the side (Tip: save and refrigerate to make hibiscus flower tacos).
- Add sugar to the pot, stir for about 10 seconds and let the pot cool for the next hour. Once the beverage has cooled, taste the Jamaica drink to confirm sweetener level – add more sugar if needed.
- Tip: I recommend that the drink be completely chilled before opting for more sugar. The half cup sugar for the recipe of this size goes a long way in this refreshing tea once it has settled.
- Transfer into a pitcher if cooling in the refrigerator or use a cup or ladle to serve the drink from the pot once cooled. Optional garnish with slices of fresh orange. If using ice, fill glasses with 1/2 cup ice.
NOTE: This recipes calls for 7.5 cups of water and after the boil will reduce down to about 6.5 cups. This is normal, just a heads up incase you’re wondering why recipe only yields 6.5 cups. The perfect homemade pitcher.
Foods To Eat It With Jamaica Drink
Wondering what to serve with this hibiscus drink? Here are a few of our favorite foods to enjoy it with.
- Tortas
- Sopes
- Cilantro Jalapeno Hummus
- Hardshell Mexican Beef Tacos
- Salsa Guacamole and Chips
- Fish Tacos
- Chile Relleno
Ways To Flip [Jamaica Flowers]
Use the boiled leaves to make your next vegetarian meal! Easy Hibiscus Flower Tacos.
Pro Tips / Receta Notes
Recipe yield: About 6.5 cups
Storage: Store in a pitcher or food container large enough to hold the beverage and keep tightly covered. This drink last 6 days with refrigeration. Serve it chilled or add 1/2 cup ice to your serving as you go. Stir prior to serving for best taste.
Alternative sweeteners welcomed! We use agave, sometimes wildflower honey, or add pure fresh squeezed orange juice as a natural sweetener when looking to slash the calories.
My favorite time to drink it is day 2-3 (because I love a settled + rich tea). Which also means it is an excellent make ahead Agua Fresca.
Enjoy your Agua de Jamaica.
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Agua de Jamaica [Hibiscus Tea]
DESCRIPTION
Equipment
- Strainer
- Mixing spoon
- Pitcher with lid
- Ladle optional
Ingredients
- 7 1/2 cups Water
- 1/2 cup Jamaica flowers 22-25 dried flowers
- 1/2 cup Cane sugar / white sugar or calorie free substitute
Optional flavor / garnish
- 1 whole orange sliced half or whole rounds
Instructions
To steep hibiscus flowers naturally
- Place hibiscus flowers in pitcher with 7 cups water, let steep for 12 hours at minimum for natural raw brew method.
To make hibiscus tea on the stove
- Place 7 1/2 cups water and dried hibiscus leaves in a 4 quart pot, set stove to medium heat. Let boil for 15 minutes. Once finished, turn off stove and let cool for 1 hour or more.
- Once boiling is complete, turn the stove off, and with a slotted spoon remove all hibiscus leaves and set them to the side (save to make hibiscus flower taco meat).
- Add sugar to the pot, stir for about 10 seconds and let the pot cool for the next hour (1 hour at least). Once the beverage has cooled, taste the Jamaica drink to confirm sweetener level – add more sugar if needed.
Optional garnish
- Thin to medium slices of orange. Dehydrated citrus slices, or infuse with a stick of cinnamon for added spice.
Notes
- Recipe yield – About 48 ounces, 7 – 8 oz cups without ice.
- Raw steeping – A naturally steeped tea with no heat will result in an Agua Fresca that is higher in antioxidants and smoother in taste. For this method allow hibiscus flowers to steep overnight for 12 hours.
- For Jamaica Concentrate – boil the leaves in only 2 cups of water. Once done boiling, transfer and add sugar or keep sugar-free.
- Sugar substitute – It’s ok to use your preferred low calorie sweetener to substitute the sugar in this recipe. I have also used coconut sugar crystals to sweeten this tea and find it useful to let the sugar dissolve for a few hours before stirring and drinking.
Nutrition
Equipment
- Boiling pot
- Ladle
- Slotted spoon
- Spoon
- 1/2 cup measuring spoon
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