Recipe: Agua de Jamaica (Mexican Hibiscus Tea, sometimes simply referred to as Jamaica)
Nov. 29th, 2025 08:18 pmThis recipe will produce 2 quarts of the drink.
Ingredients
- 50 grams flores de jamaica (flores de jamaica = hibiscus flowers)
- These can be fresh flowers or dried. Dried results in a stronger flavor.
- Fresh flowers are best-sourced from a local Mexican grocer. Stores such as Natural Grocer have the dried.
- These can be fresh flowers or dried. Dried results in a stronger flavor.
- 3 cups will need to be measured, the rest does not if you have tap water available
Directions
- Add the flowers a medium-to-large bowl that can be sealed, or a pot with a lid, and cover with water.
- Seal the bowl or pot, then shake to rinse dirt and similar from the flowers.
- Strain the flowers. This water will not be used.
- It is recommended that you do this no more than twice, as the potential flavor is rinsed away with the contaminants.
- In another pot capable of holding at least 4 cups (1 quart), bring the 3 cups of water to boil, then reduce to simmer.
- Dissolve the sugar in the water.
- Add the flowers to the sugar water and just barely bring to a boil, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes.
- Remove the mixture from the heat and allow the flowers to steep for 25-30 minutes.
- Strain the liquid into a 2 quart pitcher, then add water to get to 2 quarts.
Notes:
- This is generally enjoyed chilled, but can be consumed warm.
- If your household regularly has some sort of sugary (or fake sugary) grape-flavored fruit drink available such as Kool-Aid or Crystal Light, this can be easily mistaken for it - label if needed.
Thank you to Geist for sharing his family's recipe with me.