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You are here: Home / Beverages / Agua de Jamaica

Agua de Jamaica

Douglas Cullen, This blog generates income via ads and affiliate links which earn us a small commission.

Hibiscus Iced Tea

Agua de Jamaica which translates as “hibiscus water” is a typical agua fresca to accompany the mid-day meal in Mexico. It is sweet, tart, delicious and really a refreshing drink all at the same time.

Glass of Agua de Jamaica (Mexican Hibiscus Iced Tea)

You prepare it by steeping hibiscus flowers, called flor de jamaica to produce a concentrate that you dilute with water and sweeten with sugar. Jamaica is a great alternative to soda. You can find hibiscus flowers at your local grocery store or order online. Mexgrocer is a good option. 

Sweet or Tart?

Mexicans tend to prefer their agua de jamaica very sweet. If you add the full ½ cup of sugar called for in the recipe to make a pitcher of jamaica it will be sweet like served in Mexico. We prefer it on the tart side. If you prefer it on the tart side only add ¼ cup of sugar per picture.

How to Make Agua de Jamaica Drink (Iced Hibiscus Tea)

It’s really quite simple to prepare. Follow these steps.

Flor de Jamaica (Dried Hibiscus Flowers) in Ceramic Bowl
Dried Hibiscus Flowers Called “Flor de Jamaica.”

Dried Hibiscus Flowers Called “Flor de Jamaica.”

  • Start with two cups of hibiscus flowers (jamaica). Fresh flowers produce the best tasting drink. If the flowers are pliable they are fresh. If they are hard and brittle they aren’t fresh and your jamaica won’t be as tasty.
Hibiscus Flowers Soaking in Water
Add Hibiscus Flowers to Cold Water.
  • Add the hibiscus flowers to 2 quarts of water. Be sure you add the flowers to cold water. This makes a difference.
Simmering Flor de Jamaica
Boil Then Reduce the Heat
  • Bring the water to a boil and as soon as it boils reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
  • After 10 minutes turn off the heat and allow the concentrate to cool.
Hibiscus Concentrate in Pot on Stove
Fully Extracted Hibiscus Tea Concentrate. Note the Deep Red Color
  • As the flowers steep they absorb water and will sink to the bottom of the pot. That’s how you will know that the concentrate is ready to use.
Straining Simmered Hibiscus Flowers (Flor de Jamaica)
Strain the Steeped Hibiscus Flowers
  • Pour the concentrate through a strainer to remove the flowers.
Hibiscus Tea (Jamaica Drink) Concentrate in Pitcher
To Store Pour Concentrate Into Pitcher

Pour the concentrate into a small pitcher or jar to store. You started the process with 2 quarts of water but after steeping the hibiscus you will only have 1 ½ quarts of concentrate. The flowers absorb quite a bit of water.

A glass pitcher or jar is preferable for storage. Plastic containers seem to give it an off-taste. Also, the concentrate tends to stain plastic.

Drink Preparation

  • To prepare the drink, pour ⅓ of the concentrate into a ½ gallon pitcher.
Jamaica Drink Concentrate Ready to Prepare
  • Add the sugar and water to fill the pitcher. Stir vigorously to dissolve the sugar.
Adding Sugar to Sweeten Jamaica Concentrate
Pitcher of Agua de Jamaica Drink
  • Serve over ice or well chilled.
Agua de Jamaica Chilled in Tall Glass

Salud!

Mexican Jamaica Drink (Hibiscus Iced Tea) in Tall Glass
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3.71 from 81 votes

Agua de Jamaica Recipe

Mexico's well-known jamaica drink, Agua de Jamaica or "hibiscus water." A perfect drink to serve with the mid-day comida. The flavor is sweet and tart at the same time and very refreshing.
Course Beverage
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword agua fresca, hibiscus, iced tea, jamaica
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings 12 glasses
Calories 129kcal
Author Douglas Cullen

Ingredients

  • 2 cups dried hibiscus flowers
  • 2 quarts water
  • ½ cup sugar per pitcher of jamaica

Instructions

  • HIBISCUS CONCENTRATE
  • Put 2 quarts of water in a pot
  • Add 2 cups of dried hibiscus flowers to the water
  • Bring to a boil
  • As soon as the water boils reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes
  • After 10 minutes turn off the heat and allow the hibiscus concentrate to cool
  • PITCHER OF JAMAICA
  • Put ⅓ of the concentrate in a half-gallon pitcher and add the sugar
  • Fill the pitcher with cool water and stir vigorously to dissolve the water
  • Serve chilled or over ice

Notes

Optional
  • Add I cinnamon stick to the water when steeping.
Alternative Sweeteners
  • Instead of sugar, you can sweeten your drink with piloncillo or agave syrup.
Storing
  • The concentrate will keep for 5 days in the refrigerator.
  • Store in a sealed container so that it doesn’t take on flavors for other foods in the fridge.

Nutrition

Serving: 11ozs. | Calories: 129kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Sodium: 5mg | Sugar: 33g

More Mexican Drinks (Aguas Frescas)

  • Agua de Guayaba – Guayaba Drink
  • Agua de Tamarindo – Tamarind Water
  • Agua de Piña – Pineapple Water
  • Agua de Chia – Chia Water
  • Agua de Pepino – Cucumber Water
  • Horchata

More Beverages

  • Champurrado (Chocolate Atole)
  • Classic Mexican Margarita
  • Agua de Melon
  • Mangonada

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Elle Ann says

    May 04, 2022 at 9:32 pm

    just curious – why should the flowers be added to cold water, then heated to boiling? Does this help with rehydrating the flowers and enable the boil to extract more flavor?

    Reply
  2. Deborah Parrott says

    May 05, 2022 at 10:54 am

    Can you add the sugar to the concentrate and dilute as needed by the glassfull?

    Reply
    • Hannah K says

      May 17, 2022 at 11:11 am

      5 stars
      I have made this several times. You can definitely just sweeten the concentrate and dilute later! I use pure stevia instead of sugar when I sweeten it, and love it that way. This is a fantastic drink!

      Reply
  3. Renee says

    September 01, 2022 at 5:36 pm

    5 stars
    I make this drink quite often, crisp and tart. Add organic sugar and water to dilute if too tart. This drink is refreshing. I use the flowers to make a hearty meal with tacos and burritos after making the beverage.

    Reply
  4. Charlotte says

    February 10, 2023 at 1:21 pm

    Mine gets sludge like clumps on day one. What can cause this?

    Reply
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D. Cullen Profile Picture

Hola, I am Douglas. Let me share my love of Mexican Cuisine with you that developed over 20+ years of living in Mexico.

More about me →


Most Popular Recipes

  • Classic Salsa Verde
  • Restaurant Style Salsa
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  • Chicken Tinga
  • Agua de Jamaica
  • Tres Leches Cake
  • Beet Salad with Feta Cheese and Citrus Balsamic Viniagrette
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D. Cullen Profile Picture

Hola, I am Douglas. Let me share my love of Mexican Cuisine with you that developed over 20+ years of living in Mexico.

More about me →


Most Popular Recipes

  • Classic Salsa Verde
  • Restaurant Style Salsa
  • Traditional Sopa de Fideo
  • Red Pork Pozole
  • Chicken Tinga
  • Agua de Jamaica
  • Tres Leches Cake
  • Beet Salad with Feta Cheese and Citrus Balsamic Viniagrette
  • Red Enchilada Sauce
  • Mole Poblano

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