Switch Up Your Regular Iced Tea With Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Iced Tea) (2024)

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Agua de jamaica (hibiscus iced tea) is popular at Mexican taquerias.

By

Elise Bauer

Switch Up Your Regular Iced Tea With Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Iced Tea) (1)

Elise Bauer

Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.

Learn about Simply Recipes'Editorial Process

Updated March 12, 2024

19 Ratings

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Walk into practically any taqueria in California and you'll likely find super-sized containers of agua frescas, right next to the soda dispenser.

The usual flavors are horchata (a sweet rice drink), tamarindo (from tamarind), and agua de Jamaica (pronounced hah-MY-kah).

What Is Agua de Jamaica?

What is this agua de Jamiaca? It's hibiscus tea made from an infusion of hibiscus flowers.

I almost always go for the ruby red Jamaica, I think just because I love the color. The taste of this hibiscus tea is slightly tart and refreshing.

Switch Up Your Regular Iced Tea With Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Iced Tea) (4)

If you've ever had red zinger tea from Celestial Seasonings, it's a little like that. Or a little like cranberry juice. With a squeeze or two of lime juice, it becomes almost punch-like.

Finding Hibiscus Flowers for Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus tea (an infusion, actually) is popular all around the world. The hibiscus sabdariffa flower grows in tropical and semi-tropical climates. This variety of hibiscus is different from the flowers I grew up with in Los Angeles; it's also called "Roselle".

You can find the dried hibiscus flowers at almost any Mexican market (look for "flor de Jamaica"), or you can order them online.

Switch Up Your Regular Iced Tea With Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Iced Tea) (5)

Try These Other Refreshing Summer Drinks!

  • Ginger Switchel
  • Cucumber Lime Mint Agua Fresca
  • Perfect Lemonade
  • Cucumber Mint "Shrub" Soda
  • Strawberry Watermelon Agua Fresca

Ingredients

  • 2 quarts water, divided

  • 3/4 to 1 cup sugar (depending on how sweet you would like it to be)

  • 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers

  • 1/2 stick cinnamon stick(optional)

  • A few thin slices ginger (optional)

  • Allspice berries (optional)

  • Lime juice (optional)

  • Orange or lime slices for garnish

Method

  1. Boil the water with sugar and spices:

    Put 4 cups of the water and the sugar in a medium saucepan. Add cinnamon, ginger slices, and/or a few allspice berries if you would like. Heat until boiling and the sugar has dissolved.

    Switch Up Your Regular Iced Tea With Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Iced Tea) (6)

  2. Steep with the dried hibiscus flowers:

    Remove from heat. Stir in the dried hibiscus flowers using a spatula. Cover and let sit for 20 minutes.

    Switch Up Your Regular Iced Tea With Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Iced Tea) (7)

    Switch Up Your Regular Iced Tea With Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Iced Tea) (8)

  3. Strain:

    Strain into a pitcher and discard the used hibiscus flowers, ginger, cinnamon, and/or allspice berries.

    (At this point you can store ahead the concentrate, chilled, until ready to make the drink.)

    Switch Up Your Regular Iced Tea With Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Iced Tea) (9)

  4. Add the water:

    Add remaining 4 cups of water (or if you want to chill the drink quickly, ice and water) to the concentrate, and chill.

    Alternatively, you can add ice and chilled soda water for a bubbly version.

    Add a little lime juice for a more punch-like flavor.

    Serve over ice with a slice of orange or lime.

    Did you love the recipe? Leave us stars below!

    Switch Up Your Regular Iced Tea With Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Iced Tea) (10)

    Switch Up Your Regular Iced Tea With Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Iced Tea) (11)

  • Mocktails and Non-Alcoholic Drinks
  • Coffees and Teas
  • Summer
  • Herbs and Spices
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
86Calories
0g Fat
22g Carbs
0g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories86
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g0%
Saturated Fat 0g0%
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 11mg0%
Total Carbohydrate 22g8%
Dietary Fiber 0g2%
Total Sugars 21g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 9mg46%
Calcium 14mg1%
Iron 0mg1%
Potassium 53mg1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

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Switch Up Your Regular Iced Tea With Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Iced Tea) (2024)

FAQs

Is it safe to drink hibiscus tea every day? ›

When taken by mouth: Hibiscus sabdariffa is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe when used in medicinal amounts. Hibiscus sabdariffa tea has been used safely in amounts of up to 720 mL daily for up to 6 weeks. Side effects are uncommon but might include stomach upset, gas, and constipation.

What does hibiscus tea do to your body? ›

Hibiscus tea has several potential health benefits, including lowering blood pressure, lowering “bad” cholesterol, and aiding in weight management. However, as researchers are still learning about the effects of hibiscus tea, more large-scale trials are necessary to confirm the benefits.

What to avoid when drinking hibiscus tea? ›

Use with caution if you have low or high blood pressure. Interactions. Hibiscus tea may interfere with the effectiveness of some anti-malaria drugs. It can also interact with many other drugs including some for diabetes and high blood pressure.

Does hibiscus tea reduce belly fat? ›

According to studies, it can prevent diseases like obesity, improve your metabolism, digestive system and your gut health. However, there is very little evidence regarding how much hibiscus tea is essential for weight loss and burn belly fat. Overall, this drink has nothing but good effects on your health.

Is hibiscus tea good or bad for kidneys? ›

A small number of studies have looked at how hibiscus affects your kidney health. Hibiscus extract showed some benefit to kidney function and relief from symptoms of urinary tract infections. Hibiscus tea was found to act as a diuretic, helping your kidneys remove extra fluid from your body.

Is it better to drink hibiscus tea at night or in the morning? ›

When is the best time to drink hibiscus tea and does it make you sleepy? Consuming hibiscus tea makes for an excellent nightcap due to its tart flavor and potential health benefits, and it contains melatonin which may make you sleepier than you were before consuming your tasty beverage.

What happens when you drink hibiscus tea on empty stomach? ›

Sipping on hibiscus tea on an empty stomach can overhaul your digestion. Its natural diuretic traits aid in lessening bloating and water retention. Moreover, hibiscus tea can smoothen bowel movements and prevent the discomfort of constipation.

How long does it take hibiscus tea to work? ›

More studies are needed but from the info collected, it shows that sipping hibiscus tea for 3 months helped people to lower their body weight and cut down on abdominal fat. Not bad for something so delicious.

Is hibiscus tea a laxative? ›

Hibiscus is used for treating loss of appetite, colds, heart and nerve diseases, upper respiratory tract pain and swelling (inflammation), fluid retention, stomach irritation, and disorders of circulation; for dissolving phlegm; as a gentle laxative; and as a diuretic to increase urine output.

Does hibiscus help in hair growth? ›

Stimulates hair growth: Hibiscus contains amino acids that can help to stimulate blood circulation in the scalp, which can encourage hair growth. It can also help to strengthen the hair shaft and prevent breakage. Conditions the hair: Hibiscus can help to condition the hair, making it smoother and more manageable.

What hormones does hibiscus tea affect? ›

Estrogen Levels:

Hibiscus tea can have side effects on estrogen level as it contains compounds that may influence estrogen levels in the body.

Does hibiscus clean your stomach? ›

Hibiscus tea has been traditionally used to improve digestion. It regularizes both urination and bowel movements. Since it has diuretic properties, it is also used to treat constipation, which helps you lose weight and improve the health of your gastrointestinal system and avoid colorectal cancer.

How many times a week should you drink hibiscus tea? ›

Since there are numerous advantages and risks associated with hibiscus tea, it is advised to keep daily consumption to no more than two to three cups. When drinking hibiscus tea, people with diabetes or those taking drugs for high blood pressure should keep an eye on their blood sugar and blood pressure levels.

How many cups of hibiscus tea should I drink a day to lose weight? ›

You should drink 3 to 4 cups of this tea daily, half an hour before your main meals. The tea should be taken without sugar to achieve the expected effect, however optimal weight loss results will be noted when combined with a balanced diet and physical exercise.

What tea shrinks belly fat? ›

Move over your usual cup of tea with milk and replace it with these three concoctions that will speed up your weight loss- Puerh tea (black tea), blue tea, green tea and white tea. These teas are said to not only help you burn your belly fat, but also speed up the metabolism that further helps in losing overall weight.

How many times a week can you drink hibiscus tea? ›

Since there are numerous advantages and risks associated with hibiscus tea, it is advised to keep daily consumption to no more than two to three cups. When drinking hibiscus tea, people with diabetes or those taking drugs for high blood pressure should keep an eye on their blood sugar and blood pressure levels.

Does hibiscus tea cause estrogen side effects? ›

As such, hibiscus tea can lower blood pressure by blocking estrogen receptors in the body, which may cause an increase in circulating estrogen levels. Depending on the individual's hormonal balance, this can potentially lead to unwanted side effects such as an irregular menstrual cycle and breast tenderness.

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