Agua de Jamaica is a refreshing Mexican drink made from dried hibiscus flowers. It’s tart, fruity, and easy to make.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers (flor de Jamaica)
- 8 cups water, divided
- ½ to ¾ cup sugar (adjust to taste)
- Ice
- Lime wedges (optional)
Instructions
- Boil the hibiscus: Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the dried hibiscus flowers, remove from heat, and let steep for 15–20 minutes.
- Strain: Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher, pressing gently on the flowers to extract more flavor. Discard the flowers.
- Sweeten: Stir in the sugar while the tea is still warm until dissolved.
- Dilute: Add the remaining 4 cups of cold water. Taste and adjust with more water if it’s too strong or more sugar if it’s too tart.
- Chill and serve: Refrigerate until cold or serve immediately over ice. Garnish with lime wedges if desired.
Tips
- For a brighter flavor, add a squeeze of fresh lime juice just before serving.
- If you prefer a less sweet drink, start with ½ cup of sugar and add more as needed.
- The concentrate keeps well in the refrigerator for 3–5 days.
Enjoy your homemade agua de Jamaica!
