Agua de Jamaica [Hibiscus Tea]
Vivid red in color and refreshing Agua de Jamaica (aka Hibiscus Drink). It's an Agua Fresca and is favorited by lovers of food and culture. The hibiscus flowers are steeped, liquid is strained, then sweetened for a refreshing and antioxidant-rich natural tea. I'll share concentrate or pitcher style depending on your preference.
Servings: 7
Calories: 59kcal
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
Serving: 8oz | Calories: 59kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 0.002g | Fat: 0.05g | Sodium: 15mg | Potassium: 4mg | Fiber: 0.003g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 54IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.02mg