Agua de Jamaica: Refreshing Hibiscus Drink
Agua de Jamaica, also known as hibiscus water or sorrel tea, is a beloved and vibrant Mexican beverage. Made from dried hibiscus flowers, it offers a tart, cranberry-like flavor that is both incredibly refreshing and packed with health benefits. This simple recipe brings the taste of Mexico straight to your home.
Ingredients
- 4 cup water
- 0.5 cup dried hibiscus flowers
- Optional: 0.5 inch fresh ginger slices peeled
- Optional: 0.5 unit lemon or lime juiced
- Optional: to taste tbsp agave nectar or other sweetener
Instructions
- Bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil in a saucepan.
- Add the 1/2 cup of dried hibiscus petals to the boiling water.
- Remove from heat and let the mixture steep for 10-15 minutes. For a stronger brew, steep longer.
- Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher, discarding the solids. Ensure no petals remain.
- Allow the Agua de Jamaica to cool completely. For quicker cooling, place the pitcher in an ice bath.
- Once cooled, stir in any optional add-ins such as fresh ginger slices, lemon or lime juice, and your preferred sweetener (like agave nectar) to taste.
- Serve chilled over ice and enjoy this refreshing Mexican beverage.
Notes
For a stronger flavor, steep the hibiscus longer. Adjust sweetener to taste. Serve chilled with extra ice and a slice of lime or fresh ginger for an extra kick. Hibiscus tea is known for its antioxidant properties and can be enjoyed warm as well.