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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. Alexandra

    April 1, 2021 at 4:29 pm

    5 stars
    What a delicious and refreshing drink.

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      April 8, 2021 at 8:33 pm

      Glad you enjoyed this!

      Reply
  2. Sue

    April 2, 2021 at 4:46 am

    5 stars
    I love tea in so many flavors. This is a new one I need to try, it sounds so refreshing and delicious!

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      April 8, 2021 at 8:31 pm

      Glad you enjoyed this Sue!

      Reply
  3. Nayomi

    April 2, 2021 at 6:08 am

    5 stars
    Refreshing and delicious

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      April 8, 2021 at 8:31 pm

      Glad you enjoyed this

      Reply
  4. Lilly

    April 2, 2021 at 3:37 pm

    5 stars
    This drink is so refreshing! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      April 5, 2021 at 1:27 pm

      So glad you enjoyed this!

      Reply
  5. Chef Dennis

    April 2, 2021 at 6:14 pm

    5 stars
    This looks really refreshing! My sons will love this Agua de Jamaica!

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      April 5, 2021 at 1:28 pm

      So glad you enjoyed this!

      Reply
  6. Ramona

    April 3, 2021 at 1:36 am

    5 stars
    This is a really nice drink and fab way to drink my hibiscus tea now. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      April 5, 2021 at 1:08 pm

      So glad you enjoyed this! Hope you try it

      Reply
  7. Catherine

    April 3, 2021 at 2:44 pm

    5 stars
    This looks so delicious! Can’t wait to try 🙂

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      April 5, 2021 at 1:06 pm

      Thanks! Hope you try it

      Reply
  8. Sabrina

    April 3, 2021 at 5:15 pm

    5 stars
    I love this refreshing drink! Thanks

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      April 5, 2021 at 1:07 pm

      So glad you enjoyed this!

      Reply
  9. Christopher S Vogelmann

    April 6, 2021 at 9:38 am

    5 stars
    I love the taste of this stuff but I have to be careful not to overdo it. 😉

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      April 8, 2021 at 10:42 am

      It’s so good. Glad you enjoyed this!

      Reply
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