Agua de jamaica is a popular drink in Mexican restaurants and homes. Enjoy the refreshing benefits of Agua de Jamaica (hibiscus tea) with this easy recipe!

What is agua de jamaica?

Agua de jamaica is one of many aguas frescas drinks. Agua fresca is a light, refreshing drink usually made by blending water with fruit and sugar.

You’ll always see various aguas frescas and horchatas on Mexican menus. They come in so many fun and delicious flavors like watermelon agua or strawberry horchata.

In this case dried jamaica petals are steeped with water and sugar like a tea.

Flor de jamaica is the Spanish word for the hibiscus flower. [Pronounced ha-MY-ca]. The flowers can be used in various ways, such as dried for making tea. You may also see it called sorrel or roselle.  

They’re full of antioxidant benefits and caffeine free.

The color is a beautiful deep maroon with a tart, fruity taste.

You can drink it unsweetened, but I definitely prefer it with sugar. It takes on a fruit punch taste, which is so refreshing on a hot day.

People who don’t like iced tea will be fans of this beverage!

How to make agua de jamaica

Only three ingredients are needed:

• Water
• Sugar
• Flor de jamaica

I prefer to use white sugar or raw sugar. The amount of sugar is up to you. For this recipe I’ve included half a cup, which is on the not-too-sweet side.

You can add additional sugar to your liking, but it needs to be done while the water is hot or it will not dissolve.

If you want to add sweetener after it’s chilled, you’ll need to use a simple syrup or other liquid sweetener.

Instead of sugar, you can substitute honey, maple syrup, agave, artificial or non-calorie sweetener.

I prefer my agua de jamaica “plain,” but you can also jazz it up with additional ingredients such as cinnamon sticks, ginger root, lime or oranges.

The cinnamon or ginger should be added while steeping, citrus juice should be added after it’s off the heat.

What to do with leftover jamaica flowers

After boiling the flowers you’ll be left with plumped up petals. Instead of throwing away, put them to use!

1. Add to your compost pile and use as fertilizer for plants.
2. Whip up homemade chamoy sauce for snacks or mangonadas.
3. Make candied jamaica:

• • After straining, add the jamaica back to your pot with 1 cup sugar and ½ cup water.
  • Bring to a boil and cook until water has evaporated. Spread on parchment paper to cool.
  • Eat as a snack, use as cocktail garnish, or serve with a charcuterie board.

4. Cook with onion, peppers and spice and use as a taco filling or make jamaica quesadillas.
5. Make a 2^nd batch of agua de jamaica. The second batch won’t be as strong, but they still have a lot of flavor. You can reduce the amount of water if you want it stronger or add some of the ingredients listed above for additional flavor.
6. Chop them up and add to nopales salad.

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