Hibiscus Iced Tea

On our last couple trips to Mexico, we went on our own road trips and had a chance to sample authentic local foods. We enjoyed drinking hibiscus iced tea, otherwise known as agua de jamiaca (“ha-MIKE-uh”). Hibiscus has a flowery, but tart taste, perhaps comparable to the taste of cranberry juice. Another one of our favorite drinks from Mexico is horchata, which we also have made at home.

After looking it up agua de jamaica online, I realized it would be easy to make at home.

Ingredients

  • 2 quarts water
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers
  • 1 cinnamon stick

Directions

I bought loose hibiscus from Amazon, and we have tea sachets (empty tea bags) for loose teas.

Start by steeping 1 cup of hibiscus flowers in 4 cups boiling water.

To do this, I used a glass pitcher, and put 3/4 cup of sugar in the bottom, as well as one cinnamon stick. I have heard this drink is often served quite sweet, but I felt like going up to a full cup of sugar was a bit too sweet for me.

I then filled the pitcher with 4 cups boiling water, and allowed the tea to steep for 20 minutes. Once complete, I removed the tea bag and the cinnamon stick. (If you like a strong cinnamon taste, then you can leave in the cinnamon stick).

** Note that hibiscus will stain! I recommend a glass pitcher when possible, and also take care if you are making this with kids or serving it to kids. I don’t know how easy it would be to remove hibiscus stains.

Alternately, you could combine your ingredients in a pot and strain out the hibiscus flowers after 20 minutes.

Once the tea is done steeping in the sugar water, add in 4 cups of cool water.

Allow your tea to fully chill, and serve!

What do you think?

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22 Comments
  • melissa chapman
    January 18, 2021

    This seems like a great drink for any time of day. I have never made habiscus tea but now I know how to make this tea for me and the family.

  • Tasheena
    January 18, 2021

    I love the hibiscus. I can’t wait to try this recipe.

  • Heather
    January 19, 2021

    Ohhh.. this sounds so refreshing. I will have to try it.

  • Chef Dennis
    January 19, 2021

    This Hibiscus Iced Tea look soooo tasty! My wife will surely love this. I will make this for her.

  • Ciara
    January 19, 2021

    I love Iced Tea so much! It is my go to, I usually just buy it but I should really try making it sometime.

  • Nikki Cochingco
    January 19, 2021

    Sounds so wonderful. I haven’t tried drinking one. But your post makes it so interesting.

  • Crystal Carder
    January 19, 2021

    This sounds so good! I love that its something new and different, would love to try it!

  • Lynndee
    January 19, 2021

    I love hibiscus flower but this is the first time that I’ve heard of hibiscus tea. Looks good!

  • Kathy
    January 19, 2021

    This tea looks amazing. I love having tea. I usually drink it in the mornings. I would love to try your recipe too.

  • Catalina
    January 19, 2021

    My family loves a lot iced tea. And this is such an interesting new taste to try!

  • Lois
    January 20, 2021

    Love the tea, I just bought the hibiscus 2 paks, can’t wait to get it.

  • rika
    January 22, 2021

    I’ve seen Hibiscus tea before but never got a chance to try it out. It sounds really good.

  • Anosa Malanga
    January 23, 2021

    I love hibiscus tea, it is normally what I order every time it’s available. Reading this makes me happy, I need to check this out so I can try for myself too.

  • GiGi Eats
    January 27, 2021

    Definitely reminds me of some Tazo Tea from Starbucks but I bet it’s 10x better!

  • Emily Fata
    January 27, 2021

    This looks like it would be super tasty to have!

  • Mar Wahrer
    January 27, 2021

    I grew up drinking jamaica (what we called it) prepared fresh by a friend’s mom. I had no idea it was actually hibiscus! I cannot wait to make it myself!

  • Kuntala Bhattacharya
    January 27, 2021

    I do drink ginger clove and bayleaf mix boiled tea, green tea every day but never tried the hibiscus tea. Maybe I can try out and check the taste.

  • Everything Enchanting
    January 27, 2021

    I have dry hibiscus flowers which I use in my hair masks! I’ll try your tea recipe now, looks delicious and refreshing 👌🏻

  • WanderlustBeautyDreams
    January 27, 2021

    I always had this growing up! Your post made me crave it now lol

  • Aarika
    January 28, 2021

    This looks so refreshing and delicious. I adore hibiscus tea, and I love you added cinnamon. Great idea!

  • Kimmy
    February 23, 2021

    I absolutely love hibiscus tea!

  • Heather Behrends
    February 23, 2021

    This sounds super yum! I’ve heard that hibiscus tea is refreshing and delicious!