Today I will guide you through the art of crafting the perfect Agua de Jamaica — a yummy hibiscus flower drink that’s a symphony of tart sweetness, a burst of floral and citrusy deliciousness, and an ode to the rich tapestry of Mexican flavors.

two tall clear collins glasses filled with agua de jamaica, garnished with fresh mint on a colorful outdoor table with a beehive jar in the background with the rest of the hibiscus tea and a ladle.

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Imagine taking a stroll through the bustling streets of Mexico, where the sun’s warm embrace and the vibrant colors of the mercado beckon you to explore. As you wander, a large glass beehive-shaped jar of crimson elixir catches your eye. 

This, mi amigos, is the enchanting hibiscus drink known as Agua de Jamaica – a delectably refreshing cold hibiscus tea that captures the very essence of Mexico in every sip.

What is Agua de Jamaica?

First, let’s get the pronunciation straight: jamaica is pronounced (ha-MIKE-ah) — not Jamaica, the Caribbean Island. Agua de jamaica (which translates to “hibiscus water” in English) is perhaps the most popular variety of agua fresca. It’s a refreshingly bright Mexican drink that you’re sure to love. 

This hibiscus iced tea is delightful, tangy, and gorgeously crimson-hued, and the flavor is sweet-tart with a subtle floral undertone. Think of it as the Mexican version of sweet tea.

To make it, we steep dried hibiscus petals in hot water, infusing it with their rich, tart flavors and lovely color. Then, we sweeten it with a touch of sugar or honey and, if you’re in the mood, add a hint of cinnamon for extra depth.

This hibiscus drink is incredibly versatile and is my family’s go-to drink, and is a fantastic base to make a Hibiscus Margarita. 

dried hibiscus (jamaica) flowers on a slate background.

Why You’ll Love This Agua de Jamaica Recipe

If a sweet-tart thirst-quenching drink sounds like something you’d like, Mexican jamaica water is absolutely for you. Aside from yielding a pitcher of a stunningly gorgeous and slurp-ably delicious refresher, this hibiscus tea recipe is also:

  • Quick & Easy – You only need about 5 minutes of active time to make a batch.
  • All-Natural – Unlike most bottled drinks on the market, this iced hibiscus tea is made with only 3 simple ingredients — including water!! It’s something you can feel good about serving to your family, plus if your kids are anything like mine, they’ll LOVE it!
  • Versatile – Whether you enjoy it on its own with ice or use it as a canvas for your mixology experiments, one thing is certain: you’re going to love this jamaica drink recipe!
sugar and dried hibiscus measured out to make agua de jamaica.

Ingredients & Substitutions

As promised, you only need a handful of ingredients to make this Mexican hibiscus drink. See recipe card below for the full recipe.

  • Dried Hibiscus Flowers – While they’re easy to find at your local Latin supermercado or online, you likely won’t find these dried flowers at a typical grocery store. If you’re in a pinch, look for plain hibiscus tea bags instead.
  • Granulated Sugar – For sweetness to balance out the tart flavor of hibiscus. Feel free to swap in the sweetener of your choice (e.g. agave nectar or honey) and adjust the amount you use to suit your taste.
  • Water – If possible, use filtered water for the best taste.
  • Ice – Again, use filtered water if possible. 
  • Mint Leaves – While totally optional, I love the bright pop of color and the subtle minty flavor a fresh sprig adds to my glass.
grid-style collage showing the steps to make Mexican agua de jamaica — steeping the hibiscus in hot water, decanting the tea into a pretty glass pitcher, straining out the hibiscus leaves, adding sugar.

How To Make Mexican Hibiscus Tea

This jamaica drink recipe is SO SIMPLE. Here’s how it’s done:

  1. Rinse and drain the dried hibiscus flowers in a large colander.
  2. Steep. Bring water to a boil in a pot. Add the flowers and cover tightly with a lid. Remove from the heat and steep for 10 minutes.
  3. Strain jamaica water into a pitcher and discard flowers. Add sugar and stir. Refrigerate until time to serve.
  4. Taste tea, and add more sugar or dilute with water to your liking.
  5. Serve. Ladle into a tall glass filled with ice and garnish with fresh mint leaves or lime slices (optional).

Watch my video to learn how to make Agua de Jamaica — it’s seriously so easy!

hand stirring a glass pitcher filled with agua de jamaica hibiscus tea with a wooden spoon.

Optional Variations

As much as I love this simple hibiscus tea recipe, there are plenty of ways to make it your own. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Lower Sugar. Traditional Agua de Jamaica is fairly sweet, but you can control the sweetness by adding a bit less sugar. Bear in mind that adding ice to the tea in the end will take away some sweetness, too. Alternatively, swap in a zero-sugar option like Truvia Sweet Complete.
  • Spiced. If you want a little bit of warmth to play off the sweet tart flavors, add a canela (cinnamon) stick to the hibiscus petals for steeping. Cinnamon hibiscus tea is easily one of my favorite hibiscus hot drinks!
  • Make Hibiscus Paletas. You can freeze some of the mixture in popsicle molds for a deliciously refreshing treat! 
  • Make Jamaica Margaritas by mixing hibiscus agua fresca with tequila, lime juice, and a drizzle of agave.
45 degree angle shot of 2 tall collins glasses filled with iced agua de jamaica and garnished with mint atop a wooden platter with two magenta cloth cocktail napkins.

Expert Tips & Tricks

  • Serve this traditional Mexican te de jamaica in a vitrolero (glass barrel jar) or beverage dispenser filled will ice or feel free to store and serve in a pitcher.
  • Garnish with mint leaves, lime slices, or a cinnamon stick for an added boost of flavor and flair.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerate hibiscus drink in a covered container, such as a mason jar in the fridge for 5 days.

short rocks glass filled with agua de jamaica and garnished with a canela stick.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does agua de jamaica taste like?

First you’ll taste a refreshing burst of tartness, like the zing of a juicy red berry, followed by a subtle hint of floral goodness. It’s like sipping on sunshine with a touch of sweetness.

The hibiscus petals give it that bright, ruby-red color, and they pack a punch of tanginess that I can’t get enough of. When you add some sugar to balance it out, it’s like Mary Poppins — practically perfect in every way. Some say it tastes a bit like cranberry juice, but with an exotic twist.

And the best part? You can customize it to your liking. Add a bit more sugar to taste, a dash of cinnamon for a touch of spice, or even a squeeze of lime for an added burst of tangy goodness.

Is agua de jamaica good for you? What are the benefits of hibiscus tea?

Agua de jamaica is not just yummy; it’s pretty good for you too! First, you know those little superhero molecules called antioxidants? Well, agua de jamaica is loaded with them, especially anthocyanins. They’re the good guys that help your body fight off nasty stuff that can make you sick.

Next, sipping on hibiscus tea might help keep your ticker in good shape. Some studies suggest it can lower blood pressure and even help with cholesterol. So, this icy drink is like a little love note to your heart.

It’s also high in vitamin C, which is like a shield for your immune system. Plus, there’s iron in there, which is pretty handy for your blood. Holistic healers have also used it for centuries to help kidneys and urinary tracts do their thing. 

Finally, agua de jamaica counts towards your hydration goals, and it’s way more exciting than plain water. Just make sure to keep an eye on the added sugar and don’t go overboard with it!

For an extra bit of flavor and health benefits, you can also infuse this agua de jamaica with canela (cinnamon), similar to this Hibiscus-Cinnamon Tea. It is fragrant and so flavorful. Enjoy!

Does agua de jamaica go bad?

Unfortunately, yes. Nothing good lasts forever! To keep agua de jamaica fresh for as long as possible, it’s best to refrigerate it. If it’s homemade, make sure it’s in a clean, airtight container before putting it in the fridge. Properly sealed, it can stay good for a few days to a week.

Is agua de jamaica just hibiscus tea?

Yep! To make agua de jamaica, dried hibiscus petals are steeped in hot water, creating a tart and tangy herbal tisane. It can be served hot or cold and is typically sweetened to taste, making it a refreshing and flavorful beverage enjoyed in Mexican cuisine.

Where can I find hibiscus flowers?

To make this Agua de Jamaica you need flor de jamaica (dried hibiscus flowers), which can be found in a Latin supermarket or online.

More Authentic Mexican Drink Recipes

Have you made this agua de jamaica? Rate the recipe and leave me a comment below to let me know how it turned out! To get more Muy Bueno recipes delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for my email newsletter. 

Agua de Jamaica or Hibiscus Tea served in a glass with a big jar next to the tray

Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Tea)

5 (8 ratings)
Today I will guide you through the art of crafting the perfect Agua de Jamaica — a yummy sweet-tart Mexican hibiscus tea. It's a symphony of tart sweetness, a burst of floral and citrusy deliciousness, and an ode to the rich tapestry of Mexican flavors — and it's so easy to make!
Print Pin Rate
Yield: 12
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Steep: 10 minutes
Total Time: 17 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups dried hibiscus flowers
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar, more if desired
  • 6 cups water
  • Ice
  • Mint leaves, optional

Want to save this recipe?

I’ll email this recipe to you, so that you can come back to it later!

Instructions 

  • Rinse and drain the dried hibiscus flowers in a large colander.
  • Bring water to a boil in a pot. Add the flowers and cover tightly with a lid. Remove from the heat and steep for 10 minutes.
  • Strain hibiscus water into a pitcher and discard flowers. Add sugar and stir. Refrigerate until time to serve.
  • Taste tea, and add more sugar or dilute with water to your liking.
  • Ladle into a tall glass filled with ice and garnish with fresh mint leaves or lime slices (optional).

Video

Notes

  • Serve Agua de Jamaica in a vitrolero (glass barrel jar) or beverage dispenser filled with ice, or feel free to store and serve it in a pitcher.
  • You can freeze some of the mixture in popsicle molds to make Hibiscus Paletas! 
  • This Agua de Jamaica can also be brewed with canela (cinnamon) to make Hibiscus-Cinnamon Tea.
  • Make Jamaica Margaritas with tequila, lime juice, and a drizzle of agave.
  • Garnish with mint leaves, lime slices, or a cinnamon stick.
  • Refrigerate hibiscus drink in a covered container, such as a mason jar in the fridge for 5 days.
Calories: 63kcal, Carbohydrates: 15g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 7mg, Potassium: 4mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 15g, Vitamin A: 117IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 4mg, Iron: 3mg
Author: Yvette Marquez
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Mexican

Photography by Jenna Sparks.
Originally published: March 2011. This recipe is also published in the Muy Bueno cookbook.