Mexican Hibiscus Cinnamon Tea (Té de Jamaica y Canela)

5 (5 ratings)

on Jan 12, 2017, Updated Jun 10, 2024

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Sweet, tart, and deliciously spiced, this easy Hibiscus Cinnamon Tea recipe is one of my favorite ways to hydrate. Better yet, this Té de Jamaica y Canela is simply made with just 3 ingredients, is delicious both hot and iced, and boasts myriad health benefits!

hand-painted blue and white ceramic mug filled with Mexican hibiscus cinnamon tea garnished with a canela stick.

Why This Is The BEST Hibiscus Tea Recipe
What are the health benefits of cinnamon hibiscus tea?
Ingredients & Substitutions
How to Make Té de Jamaica y Canela
Serving & Topping Suggestions
Expert Tips & Tricks
Storage & Heating Instructions
Frequently Asked Questions
More Hibiscus Recipes
Mexican Hibiscus Cinnamon Tea (Té de Jamaica y Canela) Recipe

Why This Is The BEST Hibiscus Tea Recipe

This cinnamon hibiscus tea is enchantingly aromatic—it’ll make your whole kitchen smell like Christmas!
Hibiscus has a bright, tart flavor like cranberries, which pairs perfectly with cinnamon’s warmth. When you add a splash of honey for sweetness, it tastes like a real treat.
While I used to make it exclusively in the colder months, I’ve found that this homemade hibiscus tea makes a great substitute for soft drinks in the summer. It’s similar to agua de jamaica, but with cinnamon! Serve it on ice with a splash of sparkling water for a lovely, effervescent refresher that’s actually good for you!

What are the health benefits of cinnamon hibiscus tea?

This pretty pink potion is nearly magical. It was a favorite of both of my Abuelas who both lived well into their 90’s! But, don’t take my anecdotal evidence as gospel. Here are some science-backed truths about this traditional Mexican hibiscus tea blend:

Cinnamon has been shown to help lower cholesterol; protect against heart disease; boost brain activity and help with memory loss; fight yeast infections; treat stomach ulcers; alleviate gas, nausea, and indigestion; increase blood circulation; help with cell regeneration; reduce the risk of colon cancer; treat bad breath; and more. It’s also a potent source of antioxidants with antimicrobial, antifungal, antidiabetic, and anticancer properties.
Hibiscus is no less impressive, boasting antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antiviral, anti-obesity, anti-depressive, anti-anxiety, anti-spasmodic, anti-anemic, cardio-protective, neuro-protective, analgesic, and anti-tussive properties, just to name a few.
And, if you add honey to the mix, you’re getting even more good-for-you stuff. This natural sweetener has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-cancer, and anti-metastatic properties and is a respected holistic remedy for treating everything from asthma to ulcers, throat infections to hepatitis, tuberculosis to fatigue!

Ingredients & Substitutions

The complete list of ingredients, quantities, and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.

Despite all the healthy compounds in this beverage, you only need a few ingredients to make hibiscus tea at home. Here’s what to grab:

dried hibiscus flowers and canela sticks on a white table for making té de jamaica y canela.

Dried Hibiscus Flowers – These fragrant, dark magenta flowers may go by other names like jamaica (“ha-MAY-kah”), sorrel, China rose, rose of Sharon, or roselle depending on where you shop. It’s usually easy to find at Hispanic or international grocery stores, but you can also purchase it online. If all else fails, replace with about 4 hibiscus tea bags.
Canela Sticks – Also known as “soft cinnamon,” “true cinnamon,” or “Mexican cinnamon,” this warming spice has a less astringent flavor than regular cinnamon sticks. If you can get your hands on some, the flavor of this herbal hibiscus tea will benefit. If not, regular cinnamon sticks will do just fine.
Water – If possible, start with filtered water for the purest taste and to avoid chemical additives in tap water (e.g. chlorine or fluoride).
Honey – Optional, but delicious for adding sweetness. Feel free not to sweeten or use the sweetener of your choice, to taste.

How to Make Té de Jamaica y Canela

Making this hibiscus tea with cinnamon is a snap. Here’s how it’s done:

Step 1: Steep. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a pot. Add the cinnamon sticks and flowers and cover tightly with a lid. Remove from the heat and steep for 1 hour or until cool.

canela cinnamon sticks steeping in a pot of hot water.

hand adding a handful of dried hibiscus flowers to the steeping cinnamon tea.

Step 2: Strain the hibiscus-cinnamon tea into a pitcher. Discard the cinnamon sticks and flowers.

Step 3: Dilute the tea concentrate with 5 cups of water.

Step 4 (Optional): Sweeten the tea to taste with honey, sugar, or the sweetener of your choice. You don’t need to add any, but in case you prefer your tea sweet!

Step 5: Serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to serve. Both hot and cold hibiscus tea are delightful.

wooden cutting board with a hand-woven white and green coaster with a hand-painted blue and white ceramic mug filled with steaming Mexican cinnamon hibiscus tea garnished with a canela stick, with two canela sticks and some dried jamaica flowers scattered on the board.

Serving & Topping Suggestions

I like to serve both hot and iced hibiscus tea with lemon or lime wedges and honey on the side. If you’re going the iced route, try diluting the tea concentrate with sparkling mineral water like Topo Chico for a delish soda substitute.

For a Hot Toddy-style hibiscus tea cocktail, add both honey and a shot of tequila reposado or white rum—perfect for when you’re feeling under the weather. Or for a refreshing garden party cocktail, serve it iced, sparkling, and with a shot of tequila, vodka, or rum!

Expert Tips & Tricks

Short on fridge space? Wait to dilute the tea concentrate until you serve a glass or mug-full.
Turn your spent canela and hibiscus flowers into compost to get the most out of your groceries.
Can’t find loose hibiscus flower petals? Simply swap in hibiscus tea bags.

Storage & Heating Instructions

This delightful hibiscus and cinnamon tea will keep well in the fridge for up to a week.
You can either pour this tea over ice or warm it on the stove or in the microwave.
If you have leftovers beyond the week, try freezing them into pretty pink ice cubes, adding hibiscus flowers for extra flair. Alternatively, freeze them in a popsicle mold for hibiscus cinnamon paletas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does hibiscus tea relax you?

It sure does! Not only does sipping on a warm cuppa tea have an immediate calming effect (on me, at least!), hibiscus has also been shown to have soporific, anti-anxiety, and antidepressant effects.

Is there anything I should avoid when drinking hibiscus tea?

Hibiscus can have adverse interactions with acetaminophen (Tylenol) and some prescription drugs. Due to high levels of phytoestrogen, it may also impact hormonal birth control medications.

When should I not drink hibiscus tea?

Since hibiscus helps to lower blood pressure, you may want to proceed with caution if you have naturally low blood pressure. It is also possible for hibiscus to stimulate your menstrual cycle, so pregnant women and breastfeeding women may want to avoid it.

More Hibiscus Recipes

5 (5 ratings)