Short answer: Steep ½ cup of dried hibiscus flowers in 4 cups of just-boiled water for 15 to 20 minutes, strain, stir in 3 tablespoons of sugar, then add 4 cups of cold water and a squeeze of lime. Chill and serve over ice. This low-sugar version makes 6 glasses at about 25 calories each, a fraction of most traditional recipes and bottled versions.
Agua de jamaica (pronounced “ha-MY-ka”) is one of Mexico’s most popular aguas frescas: a tart, ruby-red drink made from dried hibiscus flowers, often sold alongside tacos and at street stalls. It tastes a little like cranberry juice, bright and refreshing. Traditional versions are often very sweet, so this recipe uses about a quarter of the usual sugar and lets the hibiscus flavor shine.
For more on the flower itself, see our hibiscus tea guide, or browse our other recipes.
Agua de jamaica at a glance
- Servings
- 6 glasses
- Time
- 30 minutes, plus chilling
- Calories
- About 25 per glass; close to zero unsweetened
- Sugar
- About 6 g per glass
- Caffeine
- None
- Diet
- Vegan, gluten-free
Why this recipe works
- Steep, don’t boil: pouring just-boiled water over the flowers and letting them steep extracts color and flavor without the bitterness that long boiling can bring.
- Concentrate first: making a strong concentrate with half the water, then diluting with cold water, cools the drink quickly and lets you adjust the strength.
- Lime balances less sugar: a little acid and a cinnamon stick add depth, so the drink tastes good with much less sugar.
- Sweeten while warm: sugar or honey dissolves easily in the warm concentrate.
Ingredient notes and swaps
- Hibiscus flowers: look for “flor de jamaica” in Mexican or Latin American grocers, or hibiscus tea in health food stores. Whole dried flowers give the best flavor. Hibiscus tea bags work too: use about 8 bags.
- Sweetener: honey, agave, maple syrup or a sugar-free sweetener such as stevia all work. For an unsweetened version, skip the sugar and add an extra squeeze of lime or a splash of orange juice.
- Flavors: add a few slices of fresh ginger, a strip of orange peel, fresh mint, or a couple of cloves while steeping.
- Sparkling version: make the concentrate and top each glass with sparkling water instead of still water.
- Caribbean sorrel: the Caribbean Christmas drink sorrel uses the same flower with ginger, cloves and more spices.
Agua de Jamaica (Low-Sugar Hibiscus Iced Tea)
Ingredients
Method
- Rinse the dried hibiscus flowers in a sieve under cold water.
- Bring 4 cups of the water to a boil in a pot. Add the hibiscus and cinnamon stick, turn off the heat, and steep for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Strain into a large pitcher, pressing the flowers to release the liquid. Discard the flowers.
- Stir in the sugar or honey while the liquid is warm, until dissolved.
- Add the remaining 4 cups of cold water and the lime juice. Taste and add more water if it is too tart.
- Chill for at least 1 hour and serve over ice with lime slices.
Notes
Nutrition per glass
Nearly all the calories in agua de jamaica come from the added sweetener. Hibiscus flowers themselves contribute almost no calories, and USDA doesn’t list a value for steeped hibiscus, so we’ve counted only the sugar and lime juice.
| Per glass (about 1⅓ cups) | With 3 tbsp sugar | Unsweetened |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 25 | 1 |
| Carbohydrates | 6.7 g | 0.4 g |
| Total sugars | 6.3 g | 0.1 g |
| Fat | 0 g | 0 g |
| Sodium | 0 mg | 0 mg |
Calculated from USDA FoodData Central values for granulated sugar and raw lime juice. Hibiscus flowers aren’t included.
For comparison, many traditional recipes use 1 cup of sugar or more per pitcher, which works out at roughly 120 calories and 33 grams of sugar per glass, similar to a can of soda. Cutting the sugar is the single biggest way to make agua de jamaica a healthy everyday drink.
Hibiscus tea has been studied for blood pressure, with small trials showing modest reductions in people with mildly raised blood pressure. Those studies used unsweetened tea, and any benefit is unlikely to survive several sugary glasses a day. Our hibiscus tea guide covers the research.
Who should be careful
Check with a doctor or pharmacist first if you
- Take blood pressure medicines or diuretics: hibiscus may add to their effect.
- Take diabetes medicines: hibiscus may slightly affect blood sugar.
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding: safety data are limited, so it’s usually advised to avoid large amounts.
- Have sensitive teeth: the drink is acidic; drink it with a straw or rinse with water afterwards.
Storage and make-ahead
- Fridge: store in a covered pitcher for up to 4 days. Stir before serving.
- Concentrate: keep the undiluted, unsweetened concentrate for up to a week and dilute as needed.
- Ice cubes: freeze some agua de jamaica in ice cube trays so the drink doesn’t get watered down.
- Stains: hibiscus stains countertops and fabrics, so wipe spills quickly.
Related on Pure Nutrition Facts: our electrolyte supplements guide.
Agua de jamaica FAQ
What does agua de jamaica taste like?
Tart and fruity, a lot like cranberry juice, with a slightly floral flavor. Sugar and lime balance the tartness.
Does agua de jamaica have caffeine?
No. Hibiscus is naturally caffeine-free, so it’s a good choice any time of day.
Is agua de jamaica healthy?
Unsweetened or lightly sweetened, yes: it’s a flavorful, low-calorie alternative to soda and juice. Heavily sweetened versions contain as much sugar as soft drinks.
Can I reuse the hibiscus flowers?
You can steep them a second time for a lighter, less tart drink. After that, they’ve given up most of their flavor.