Agua de Jamaica, or Hibiscus Tea, is easy-to-make and always refreshing.
Sweet and tart, this drink goes well with just about any Mexican recipe.
It kills me when I go to a Mexican restaurant and pay extraordinary amounts of money for something that is a million times cheaper to make at home.
One of these such menu items is Agua de Jamaica.
Most taco shops will charge $1.99 for an 8 oz container of this refreshing drink. That’s just plain insane!
You can make a full pitcher for that amount at home. Let me show you how it is done.
How to Make Agua de Jamaica
Jamaica, or JAH-mai-kah, not pronounced like the country, Jamaica.
However, “Everyting be irie when you have dis drink, mahn.” 🙂
Agua de Jamaica is basically hibiscus tea. Literally translated, it means “Hibiscus Water.” You might also see it called “Jamaica Drink.”
It is tart and sweet. Think cranberry juice but three to five time better!
Made from dried roselle leaves. Or in Spanish, we call it “flor de jamaica.”
This beverage goes perfectly with just about any authentic Mexican recipes. Chicken, beef, pork, fish, you name it. Agua de Jamaica is light, just right and DELICIOUS!
Although, my local store sells tea bags made of hibiscus, it might just be because Jamaica Drink is trendy right now.
- Boil water.
- Add the Jamaica “flowers.”
- Let boil for 10 minutes and turn off the heat so it can steep.
For my diabetic friends, you can use Stevia or any sugar substitute.
My aunt adds piloncillo which I have always found a little bizarre, but she refuses to use white sugar. I should also mention that she’s the only one of her siblings without diabetes.
Maybe she’s onto something … ??
Other Steeping Methods
The water will concentrate and will take on a deep red color as well as a thick consistency – almost like a thin syrup.
- I’ve also heard of people who let the flowers soak in warm water for a long period of time, and it will turn out just the same.
- I have also heard of people who cold brew their Agua de Jamaica. Then take the leftover flowers and hot brew the second batch.
Please know that I have never made it like this. Just heard about it. If you make it this way, let me know!
My other aunt (not the piloncillo aunt) adds a cinnamon stick when it’s boiling. It tastes really good.
You can make this Jamaica drink well in advance. It will be good for up to 5 days in the fridge.
Jamaica Drink Weight Loss
Here’s another thing that we, Mexicans, do when we’ve eaten one too many tacos and our pantalones are too tight.
(yes, it can happen!)
We drink Agua de Jamaica. Jamaica, or Hibiscus, is a natural laxative.
Now that you know this, please don’t drink too much or you’ll be spending “mucho tiempo” on the toilet. 🙂 Lol.
Jamaica Drink Benefits
- It can help high blood pressure
- It can help people with high cholesterol.
On warm days, the hubby and I will add a splash or two of vodka for an adult beverage. I do not advise rum or whiskey, but tequila might also work well.
Mexican Picadillo or Chorizo con Papas go great with a tall glass of this jamaica drink. Yum! Yum!
Most of the flavor from the flowers will be used after it is steeped. Any more batches will be weak, but there are other creative uses for the leftovers.
Some people will use leftover flor de jamaica for tacos. Yes! Tacos! Or swap out the chicken in chicken tinga for the leftover hibiscus flower.
I garnished the Agua de Jamaica with mint leaves for color. Not for taste.
Serve a large pitcher of this agua fresca and you’ll see how fast it finishes. Enjoy!
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Agua de Jamaica (Jamaica Drink)
Ingredients
- 12 cups water
- 1 1/2 cup Dried Jamaica flowers (or hibiscus flowers)
- 1 cup sugar
Instructions
- Boil 4 cups of water.
- Add the jamaica flowers.
- Return to boil for 10 minutes.
- Turn off heat and cover. Let cool.
- Strain into a pitcher.
- Press down on the flowers with the back of a cooking spoon to extract the liquid.
- Add remaining water and sugar to the pitcher.
- Stir to combine.
- Garnish with mint. Add more sugar if needed.
Notes
For More Mexican Agua Fresca Recipes
Cucumber Lime Agua Fresca is an authentic Mexican beverage that is easy to prepare. Light and yummy. It is perfect for the summer months.
Cantaloupe Agua Fresca, or Agua de Melon, is the best way to beat the heat. It is a refreshing and light drink made with ripe fruit that screams summer.
Summer is the best time of the year to enjoy Pineapple Agua Fresca, or Agua de Piña. Delicious and sweet, it’s hard not to love this drink.
Jolina says
January 10, 2017 at 2:14 pmWe’re big on tea, we have a cupboard overflowing with different kinds, though we’ve never had hibiscus tea before! We must hunt this down 🙂
Maggie Unzueta says
January 16, 2017 at 10:38 amYou might need to order it online. We live in an area with a high concentration of Mexicans. Luckily, we can find it in the market.
Smitha says
August 4, 2017 at 1:22 pmWhere do you buy it Maggie? I love Jamaica!
Maggie Unzueta says
August 5, 2017 at 8:15 amI usually buy it at the Mexican markets, even regular grocery stores will have it now. Or, if you scroll up, there’s a BUY IT HERE or http://amzn.to/2hxm3Ad (Affiliate).
Roger says
March 4, 2018 at 2:30 pmI will have to try this I normally have this refreshing drink with ginger
Maggie Unzueta says
March 5, 2018 at 1:16 pmYes. Agua de Jamaica tastes great with ginger!
Leah says
January 10, 2017 at 6:53 pmThis sounds so refreshing! I love hibiscus anything!
Maggie Unzueta says
January 16, 2017 at 10:37 amMe too. 😀
Carmen says
January 10, 2017 at 8:24 pmYum. I’ve had this but never made it myself. I’m partial to horchata but jamaica is a close second. :]
Maggie Unzueta says
February 6, 2017 at 11:22 amI’m the other way around. I’m partial to jamaica and horchata is a close second. LOL!
MK says
January 10, 2017 at 9:04 pmAwesome recipe. I was went to try this – as I was boiling water, I had a brief panic attack. Was I about to deliver a baby? I don’t even know this lady – I’m not even a doctor, I just tell people I am. I am in over my head. I ran back to reread your blog and then it became clear. I’m NOT delivering a baby. Whew. You have no idea how freaked out I was.
PS: I’ve had this at Ethiopian restaurants as well as Mexican.
Maggie Unzueta says
January 16, 2017 at 10:37 amLOL. I’m a bit of a goofball. 😀
Alexa says
January 10, 2017 at 10:31 pmHibiscus is my favorite flower! I have to try this tea!
Maggie Unzueta says
February 6, 2017 at 11:22 amYou must make it. You’re going to love it.
Supriya Kutty says
January 11, 2017 at 1:57 amThis looks delicious! What a perfect drink to serve at brunch
Maggie Unzueta says
February 6, 2017 at 11:21 amAgreed! It’s great any time of the day.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
January 11, 2017 at 11:56 amOooh I LOVE hibiscus tea and this looks so delicious!
Maggie Unzueta says
January 16, 2017 at 10:35 amThank you! Cheers.
Cathy @ Our Mini Family says
January 13, 2017 at 5:51 amMmm, this looks tasty! Definitely saving to Pinterest to try it myself!
Maggie Unzueta says
January 16, 2017 at 10:35 amThanks for pinning!
Aarika says
January 16, 2017 at 6:44 pmThis sounds incredibly light and refreshing. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Maggie Unzueta says
February 6, 2017 at 11:21 amThank you!
Ghottamale says
September 17, 2017 at 12:19 pmHow long does it need to steep once the heat is tuned off? Making it for my dad who is from Mexico…. hoping he likes it 😉 but I’m using stevia instead of sugar…
Maggie Unzueta says
September 18, 2017 at 4:17 pmMy dad is diabetic. I used Stevia all the time. It’s a tea. So, it steeps for just a few minutes. Hope he likes it. 🙂
Anonymous says
March 3, 2019 at 2:55 pmThat flower is not hibiscus, it is called sorrel.
Maggie Unzueta says
March 3, 2019 at 5:00 pmDried hibiscus flowers are known as “sorrel” in Jamaica and in most of the Caribbean. In Latin America, it is referred to as “jamaica” and is used to make Agua de Jamaica.