Learn how to make hibiscus tea with this easy 2-ingredient recipe! This flavorful drink is delicious hot or iced, and has amazing health benefits.
I make this hibiscus tea recipe at least once a week. In the winter, I enjoy a hot, ruby red drink that revives me when the weather is cold and gray. In the summer, I crave it ice. On a warm day, its bold, tart flavor is intensely refreshing.
I’m sharing my go-to method for how to make hibiscus tea below. If you haven’t tried it, I hope you’ll give it a go! It is delicious and very easy to make. This hibiscus tea recipe requires 2 ingredients and less than 5 minutes of hands-on preparation. Also, it has some amazing health benefits. Read more about them below.
What is Hibiscus?
The term hibiscus is used by itself to refer to a genus of temperate and tropical plants. In this post, I am talking about a specific type of hibiscus, Hibiscus sabdariffa, also called roselle. Native to Central and West Africa, roselle is now cultivated and eaten around the world. Although hibiscus leaves are edible, the calyx and flowers of the hibiscus plant are more widely used to make teas, jams, and syrups. For example, in the Caribbean, dried roselle flowers are used to make Jamaican sorrel drink, a sweet hibiscus drink made with ginger, cloves, and allspice. In Mexico, these same dried hibiscus flowers make agua de jamaica, a hibiscus agua fresca.
Among hibiscus drinks, this hibiscus tea recipe is as simple as it gets. You only need two ingredients: dried hibiscus flowers and water. Because there are no other mix-ins, this is a great way to get to know the flavor of hibiscus. It’s fruity and tart, unlike cranberry juice. I think you are going to love it!
Benefits of Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus tea is a caffeine-free herbal tea. As detailed by this Cleveland Clinic article, it is believed to have several health benefits:
- It is full of antioxidants Such as vitamin C and beta-carotene, which fight against harmful free radicals in the body.
- It reduces inflammation.
- Studies have shown that drinking hibiscus tea can also Lowers blood pressure and lowers cholesterol.
Check out this article to learn more about the side effects and health benefits of hibiscus tea!
How to make hibiscus tea
This hibiscus tea recipe is so easy to make! Here’s how it goes:
- Place 1/4 cup dried hibiscus flowers in a quart-sized mason jar or pitcher.
- Pour in 4 cups of filtered water and stir.
- Chill in the refrigerator until the tea is bright red, at least 20 minutes. Let it cool overnight for a deeper color and flavor.
- Strain the mixture into a pitcher to remove the hibiscus petals.
Serve this tea in a glass filled with ice. If you like, stir in a sweetener like honey, agave, or maple syrup to taste. Garnish with fresh mint leaves and raspberries, and enjoy!
variety
- Make it Fiji. Drink a glass of strong iced tea with sparkling water. Add a squeeze of lime juice for a citrusy kick.
- Add spices. Before chilling the tea in the fridge, add a cinnamon stick to the pitcher or jar. I love the warmth of this drink with its fruity and floral notes!
- Make hot tea. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tablespoon of dried hibiscus flowers in a mesh tea infuser. Let steep for 5 minutes. Remove the hibiscus and enjoy the tea with honey and lemon juice.
More refreshing drink recipes
If you’d like to learn how to make hibiscus tea, try one of these refreshing drinks:
Hibiscus tea
serves 4
Learn to make hibiscus tea! Completely caffeine-free, this lively drink is tart and refreshing. If you can’t find dried hibiscus flowers at your grocery store, they are easily available online.
- ¼ the cup Dried hibiscus flowers
- 4 the cup Cold filtered water
- the ice, to serve
- Sweets of choice, such as sugar, maple syrup, honey, or agave, optional
- 1 Small bunch of fresh mint, For the garnish
- ¼ the cup Raspberry, For the garnish
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Place the hibiscus flowers in a (1 quart) jar or medium pitcher. Add water, stir to combine, and chill until bright red, at least 20 minutes. For a deeper color and flavor, refrigerate overnight.
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Strain the tea through a fine mesh strainer over a bowl or pitcher to remove the hibiscus flowers. Pour into glasses filled with ice and sweeten to taste, if desired.
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Garnish with fresh mint and raspberries.