A traditional Mexican iced tea made from dried hibiscus flowers, known for its vibrant red color and tart, refreshing flavor. It’s a beloved ‘agua fresca’ often enjoyed for its cooling properties and health benefits.

Agua de Jamaica: Hibiscus Tea
A traditional Mexican iced tea made from dried hibiscus flowers, known for its vibrant red color and tart, refreshing flavor. It's a beloved 'agua fresca' often enjoyed for its cooling properties and health benefits.
Ingredients
- 4 cup water
- 0.5 cup dried hibiscus petals
- fresh ginger slices optional
- lemon or lime optional
- sweetener of choice (e.g. agave)
Instructions
- Boil 4 cups of water.
- Add 1/2 cup dried hibiscus petals to the boiling water.
- Let the mixture steep for 10–15 minutes; steep longer for a stronger flavor.
- Strain the hibiscus tea to remove the petals and any optional add-ins.
- Allow the tea to cool completely.
- Serve over ice for a refreshing cold drink, or enjoy warm.
- Optionally, add fresh ginger slices, lemon or lime juice, and your preferred sweetener (like agave) to taste.
Notes
For a stronger flavor, steep the hibiscus petals longer. Optional additions include fresh ginger slices for a spicy immune-boost, lemon or lime for vitamin C and balance, and your choice of sweetener like agave.
