Recipes & Cooking Drinks Coffee & Tea Hibiscus Tea Is the Perfect Summertime Drink 5.0 (1) 1 Review There's nothing quite as refreshing as a tall glass of hibiscus tea on a hot day. By Sarah Martens Sarah Martens Sarah Martens is the Senior Editor overseeing food at Better Homes & Gardens digital. She has been with the BHG brand for more than 10 years. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Published on August 21, 2023 Recipe tested by Sarah Brekke, MS Recipe tested by Sarah Brekke, MS Sarah Brekke, a culinary expert with The Better Homes and Gardens Test Kitchen, is passionate about food and cooking. Her unique background as both a food scientist and a culinary contributor allows her to blend her passions for both educating readers and creating tasty content. Learn more about the Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen Rate PRINT Share Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Rachel Marek. Prop Styling: Gabe Greco Total Time: 45 mins Servings: 6 Yield: 1 1/2 quarts Agua Fresca de Jamaica (Hibiscus Tea) is a tangy, refreshing drink that's made with dried hibiscus flowers, sugar, and lime juice. Hibiscus is a popular ingredient in Central and South American, West African, and Caribbean cooking. Read on for everything you need to know about the benefits of hibiscus tea and how to make hibiscus tea. What Is Hibiscus? The hibiscus is a tropical plant that's native to West and Central Africa. Today, it's grown throughout the world and produces edible flowers that are used to make teas, syrups, desserts, and other drinks. Hibiscus flowers lend a bright red color and a fruity, tart, and subtle floral flavor to recipes. Some compare the flavor to cranberry. In addition to tea, it's great in baked goods (like this Cranberry-Hibiscus Babka) and also in cocktails (try our Rose-Hibiscus Spritz). Test Kitchen Tip: When shopping for the dried hibiscus flowers, select a package that has flowers that are still a bit pliable. If the flowers are dry and brittle, they are past their prime and won't be as flavorful. Hibiscus Tea Benefits Hibiscus tea is made by infusing dried hibiscus flowers in water and the drink has several health benefits. Hibiscus tea is loaded with antioxidants such as beta-carotene and Vitamin C. According to the Cleveland Clinic, several animal studies and a few human studies have shown that hibiscus tea may help fight inflammation in the body. How to Make Hibiscus Tea There are two steps to making hibiscus flower tea. First, you'll make a ruby-colored hibiscus concentrate that you can use to make several glasses of tea. Once you've made the concentrate, it's easy to mix it with an equal amount of water to create a big-batch drink. Garnish each glass with fresh lime or orange slices and serve over ice. Hibiscus-Lemon Water Ingredients 1 quart water 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers (flor de jamaica) 1/2 cup sugar Lime juice (optional) Lime and/or orange slices, for garnish Directions Prepare the Concentrate In a medium saucepan combine 1 quart of water and the dried flowers. Heat over medium-high until boiling. Remove from heat and let stand 30 minutes to steep. Drain well. Makes 3 cups. Prepare a Pitcher of Agua Fresca Combine the 3 cups of concentrate with 3 cups cold water and 6 tablespoons sugar. Stir to dissolve sugar. Taste and adjust sweetness by adding additional sugar, if desired. Serve over ice. Serve with a squeeze of lime, if desired, and garnish glasses with lime and/or orange slices. Single Serving Hibiscus Tea Variation To prepare a single serving of agua fresca, in an ice-filled glass combine equal parts concentrate and cold water. Add sugar to desired sweetness. We suggest 1 tablespoon sugar for 4 ounces of concentrate and 4 ounces water. Rate It Print