Agua de Jamaica, otherwise known as hibiscus tea, is a refreshing Mexican drink that is both sweet and tart! Learn how to make this easy agua fresca drink recipe that is a wonderful addition to a fiesta themed party.
Making homemade juices is a fun process for kids and a much better alternative to buying the bottled stuff which is generally really high in sugar.
It only takes a few simple ingredients to make a refreshing mocktail type drink that is easy to customize to your tastes.
Agua de Jamaica (ha-my-ka) is traditionally served in Mexico very sweet, something similar to Southern Sweet Tea. For my version, I’ve used less sugar and added fresh fruit slices along with a little cinnamon for extra flavor.
Versions of this drink can be found in other areas of the world as well. In the Caribbean it’s known as sorrel, in Africa you can find variations of hibiscus tea, and even in some areas of Europe it’s common as well.
If you’re holding some sort of fiesta (which means party in Spanish) you could have a drink bar with this, Horchata, and other agua frescas or even some Sangria mocktail for plenty of refreshing options.
But feel free to serve this up with any dishes you want, like this Pressure Cooker Jamaican Jerk Chicken and Rice.
INGREDIENTS
- dried hibiscus flowers
- granulated sugar
- water
- cinnamon sticks
- orange
- lemon
Possible substitutions:
You can replace the orange and lemon with lime, or any combination of those three.
Besides cinnamon sticks, you could also add sliced ginger, or do just ginger on it’s own.
Feel free to experiment with adding different sliced fruits or using fruit juices in place of the sugar and water. Have fun with it!
How to make agua de Jamaica:
- In a measuring cup or french press, add dried hibiscus and then pour in 2 cups of boiling water. Allow to steep for at least 5 minutes.
- Carefully strain out the hibiscus and pour the concentrate into a large pitcher. Add 6 cups cold water.
- Add sugar and stir. Then add cinnamon sticks, orange and lemon slices.
- Allow to chill for at least 2 hours before serving over ice.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge without the citrus slices for up to 3-4 days.
Top Tips
A french press is super handy for steeping and straining but you could also easily strain the dried hibiscus out by using a mesh strainer.
Make sure you wear an apron when making this! The hibiscus water is a deep color and it can stain a little.
You can serve this up warm in the winter (yum!) or over ice in the summer.
How can kids help make this?
- Older kids can help with the making of the concentrate but I would not recommend allowing younger children to help with the boiling water.
- Younger children can help by:
- pouring the cold water into the concentrate
- adding the sugar and stirring
- finishing it off with the fruit slices
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Recipes to serve with this:
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup dried hibiscus flowers
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 6 cups cold water
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 orange sliced
- 1 lemon sliced
Instructions
- In a measuring cup or french press, add dried hibiscus and then pour in boiling water. Allow to steep for at least 5 minutes.
- Carefully strain out the hibiscus and pour the concentrate into a large pitcher.
- Next add 6 cups cold water and sugar to the pitcher. Stir well.
- Then add cinnamon sticks, orange and lemon slices. Allow to chill for at least 2 hours before serving over ice.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge without the citrus slices and cinnamon sticks for up to 3-4 days.
Notes
- You can replace the orange and lemon with lime, or any combination of those three.
- Besides cinnamon sticks, you could also add sliced ginger, or do just ginger on it’s own.
- A french press is super handy for steeping and straining but you could also easily strain the dried hibiscus out by using a mesh strainer.
- Make sure you wear an apron when making this! The hibiscus water is a deep color and it can stain a little.
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