Agua de Jamaica: Refreshing Hibiscus Tea
A vibrant, tart, and naturally sweet Mexican beverage made from dried hibiscus flowers, perfect for cooling down on a warm day. Known for its refreshing taste and potential health benefits.
Ingredients
- 4 cup water
- 0.5 cup dried hibiscus petals
- sweetener of choice (optional
- fresh ginger slices (optional)
- lemon or lime slices (optional)
Instructions
- Boil 4 cups of water in a medium saucepan.
- Once the water is boiling, remove the saucepan from the heat and add the 1/2 cup of dried hibiscus petals. If you're using fresh ginger or lemon/lime slices, add them now.
- Let the hibiscus steep for 10-15 minutes. For a more intense flavor, you can let it steep for up to 20 minutes, but be aware it might become more tart.
- Strain the hibiscus mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a heatproof pitcher or jar, pressing gently on the solids to extract all the liquid. Discard the spent petals and any added ginger or citrus.
- Allow the Agua de Jamaica concentrate to cool completely to room temperature. You can speed this up by placing the pitcher in an ice bath.
- Once cooled, stir in your preferred sweetener to taste. Start with a small amount and add more until it reaches your desired sweetness.
- Serve the Agua de Jamaica chilled over plenty of ice. Garnish with a fresh lime or lemon slice, or a sprig of mint, if desired. Enjoy your refreshing drink!
Notes
Adjust sweetener to taste; agave, sugar, or stevia work well. For a stronger flavor, steep the hibiscus for up to 20 minutes. Serve chilled over ice. Garnish with lime slices, orange slices, or fresh mint for an extra touch. Hibiscus tea is a great source of antioxidants and Vitamin C.