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Home » Recipes » Drinks » Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Tea) + VIDEO

Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Tea) + VIDEO

Last Updated March 30, 2021. Originally Posted March 30, 2021 By Maggie Unzueta

This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Agua de Jamaica is a sweet, slightly tart, and refreshing Mexican drink. This cold and crisp hibiscus tea is sure to hit the spot on warm days.
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A collage showing how to make agua de jamaica.

Agua de Jamaica served in a glass with ice and topped with a mint leaf.

Agua de Jamaica – Sweet. Tangy. Refreshing. YES PLEASE! Think cranberry juice but three to five time better!

Most taco shops charge astronomical prices for an 8 oz container of this refreshing drink. That’s just plain insane!

You can make a full pitcher of this DELICIOUS drink for that amount at home. Let me show you how it is done.

How to Make It


A bowl of dried hibiscus flowers.

Jamaica, or Ha-mai-Kah, not pronounced like the country.

In a nutshell, it’s basically hibiscus tea. You might hear it referred to as “Hibiscus Water” or “Jamaica Drink.”

Made from dried hibiscus flowers. Or in Spanish, we call it “flor de jamaica.”

More Agua Fresca Recipes:

Agua de Melon
Pineapple Agua Fresca
Watermelon Agua Fresca
Cucumber Lime Agua Fresca

Water boiling in a medium sized stock pot.

  • Boil water.
  • Add the dried hibiscus flowers.
  • Let boil for 10 minutes and turn off the heat so it can steep.

The water will concentrate and will take on a deep red color as well as a thick consistency – almost like a thin syrup.

Other Steeping Methods

  • Let the flowers soak in warm water for 2 hours, and it will turn out just the same.
  • Do a cold brew of the dried flowers overnight. Then take the leftover flowers for a hot brew the second batch This is a two in one bonus!

A collage showing how to make Agua de Jamaica drink.

  • Strain the tea.
  • Using the back of your cooking spoon strain the tea into a pitcher.
  • Add water.

Most of the flavor from the flowers will be used after it is steeped. Any more batches will be weak.

You can make this drink well in advance. It will be good for up to 5 days in the fridge.

Other Additions to the Tea:
Cinnamon stick
Cloves
Ginger
Mint

Great Idea! Freeze any leftovers and make ice cubes with it. Or, pour the Jamaica Water into popsicle molds for a yummy summer treat.

A hand adding sugar to a pitcher of the jamaica drink.

For my diabetic friends, you can use any sugar substitute. Or, sweeten it up with piloncillo.

There are creative uses for hibiscus like Hibiscus Beer

Some people will even use the leftover flor de jamaica for tacos. Yes! Tacos! Simply swap out the chicken in chicken tinga and instead use leftover hibiscus flower.

Drink Weight Loss

When you’ve eaten one too many tacos and your pantalones are too tight, make this drink. It is a natural laxative.

A hand stirring a large container of the Jamaica Drink.

Pro Tip


This recipe will make quite a bit of concentrate. Make some that day, then leave the concentrate for another day.

Drink Benefits

  • It can help high blood pressure
  • It can help people with high cholesterol.

For 21+ readers, splash or two of vodka or tequila for an adult beverage.

Mexican Picadillo, Potato Tacos Dorados, or Chorizo con Papas go great with a tall glass of this yummy drink.

A glass of Agua de Jamaica served with ice and garnished with mint leaves.

More Mexican Drinks:


Agua de Platano
Agua de Tamarindo
Strawberry Agua Fresca
Pineapple Banana Agua Fresca

This beverage goes perfectly with just about any authentic Mexican recipes.

Agua de Jamaica is light, just right, and easy to enjoy!

Hungry for More?

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Did you make this recipe? Please rate the recipe below!

Agua de Jamaica served in a glass with ice and topped with a mint leaf.

Agua de Jamaica (Jamaica Drink)

Agua de Jamaica is a sweet, slightly tart, and refreshing Mexican drink. This cold and crisp hibiscus tea is sure to hit the spot on warm days.
5 from 13 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Drink
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 12 people
Calories: 75kcal
Author: Maggie Unzueta

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.
  • Add more sugar if needed.

Video

Notes

For a diabetic-friendly version, use Stevia instead. 
Agua de Jamaica lasts up to 5 days in the fridge. 
Other Steeping Methods:
  • Let the flowers soak in warm water for 2 hours, and it will turn out just the same.
  • Do a cold brew of the dried flowers overnight. Then take the leftover flowers and hot brew the second batch.

Nutrition

Calories: 75kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 13mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 88IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

This post was recently updated with new pictures. You might remember the old ones.
Agua de Jamaica in a glass with ice and garnished with mint leaves.

Filed Under: Drinks

About Maggie Unzueta

Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jolina

    January 10, 2017 at 2:14 pm

    We’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 🙂

    Reply
    • Maggie Unzueta

      January 16, 2017 at 10:38 am

      You 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.

      Reply
      • Smitha

        August 4, 2017 at 1:22 pm

        Where do you buy it Maggie? I love Jamaica!

      • Maggie Unzueta

        August 5, 2017 at 8:15 am

        I 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

        March 4, 2018 at 2:30 pm

        I will have to try this I normally have this refreshing drink with ginger

      • Maggie Unzueta

        March 5, 2018 at 1:16 pm

        Yes. Agua de Jamaica tastes great with ginger!

  2. Leah

    January 10, 2017 at 6:53 pm

    This sounds so refreshing! I love hibiscus anything!

    Reply
    • Maggie Unzueta

      January 16, 2017 at 10:37 am

      Me too. 😀

      Reply
  3. Carmen

    January 10, 2017 at 8:24 pm

    Yum. I’ve had this but never made it myself. I’m partial to horchata but jamaica is a close second. :]

    Reply
    • Maggie Unzueta

      February 6, 2017 at 11:22 am

      I’m the other way around. I’m partial to jamaica and horchata is a close second. LOL!

      Reply
      • Nora

        April 2, 2021 at 11:10 pm

        5 stars
        Have to try this in Summertime! Thank you for sharing!

      • Maggie U

        April 5, 2021 at 1:08 pm

        It’s so yummy! Glad you enjoyed this

  4. MK

    January 10, 2017 at 9:04 pm

    Awesome 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.

    Reply
    • Maggie Unzueta

      January 16, 2017 at 10:37 am

      LOL. I’m a bit of a goofball. 😀

      Reply
  5. Alexa

    January 10, 2017 at 10:31 pm

    Hibiscus is my favorite flower! I have to try this tea!

    Reply
    • Maggie Unzueta

      February 6, 2017 at 11:22 am

      You must make it. You’re going to love it.

      Reply
  6. Supriya Kutty

    January 11, 2017 at 1:57 am

    This looks delicious! What a perfect drink to serve at brunch

    Reply
    • Maggie Unzueta

      February 6, 2017 at 11:21 am

      Agreed! It’s great any time of the day.

      Reply
  7. Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife

    January 11, 2017 at 11:56 am

    Oooh I LOVE hibiscus tea and this looks so delicious!

    Reply
    • Maggie Unzueta

      January 16, 2017 at 10:35 am

      Thank you! Cheers.

      Reply
  8. Cathy @ Our Mini Family

    January 13, 2017 at 5:51 am

    Mmm, this looks tasty! Definitely saving to Pinterest to try it myself!

    Reply
    • Maggie Unzueta

      January 16, 2017 at 10:35 am

      Thanks for pinning!

      Reply
  9. Aarika

    January 16, 2017 at 6:44 pm

    5 stars
    This sounds incredibly light and refreshing. Thanks for sharing this recipe!

    Reply
    • Maggie Unzueta

      February 6, 2017 at 11:21 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  10. Ghottamale

    September 17, 2017 at 12:19 pm

    How 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…

    Reply
    • Maggie Unzueta

      September 18, 2017 at 4:17 pm

      My 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. 🙂

      Reply
  11. Anonymous

    March 3, 2019 at 2:55 pm

    That flower is not hibiscus, it is called sorrel.

    Reply
    • Maggie Unzueta

      March 3, 2019 at 5:00 pm

      Dried 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.

      Reply
  12. Amy

    July 27, 2019 at 6:43 pm

    Just got home from a visit with my brother in Guatemala. They introduced us to this drink – can’t wait to make it myself!

    Reply
  13. Andrea Armstrong

    June 26, 2020 at 12:29 am

    I found flor de jamaica at Von’s a couple of years ago. Made the tea for the holidays in two batches. One with sugar and one with stevia (for the diabetics). Everybody loved it! You’ve inspired me to do it again! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Patricia Ramos

      July 2, 2020 at 12:30 pm

      So easy and delicious!

      Reply
  14. Betty

    February 24, 2021 at 11:28 am

    5 stars
    Awesome.

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      February 24, 2021 at 1:03 pm

      Glad you enjoyed this!

      Reply
  15. Kristina Tipps

    April 1, 2021 at 3:58 pm

    5 stars
    Such a delicious tea! I reduced the sugar slightly and it still tasted amazing. And the color was beautiful.

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      April 12, 2021 at 3:53 pm

      So glad you enjoyed this Kristina!

      Reply
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