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Agua de Jamaica (Low-Sugar Hibiscus Iced Tea)

A ruby-red Mexican hibiscus drink made with dried hibiscus flowers, lime and just 3 tablespoons of sugar for the whole pitcher. About 25 calories a glass.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Steep 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 glasses (about 1⅓ cups)
Course: Drink
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 25
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup dried hibiscus flowers about 15 g; flor de jamaica
  • 8 cups water 1.9 liters, divided
  • 3 tablespoons sugar or honey or to taste; skip for unsweetened
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice about 1 lime
  • 1 cinnamon stick optional
  • ice and lime slices to serve

Method
 

  1. Rinse the dried hibiscus flowers in a sieve under cold water.
  2. 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.
  3. Strain into a large pitcher, pressing the flowers to release the liquid. Discard the flowers.
  4. Stir in the sugar or honey while the liquid is warm, until dissolved.
  5. Add the remaining 4 cups of cold water and the lime juice. Taste and add more water if it is too tart.
  6. Chill for at least 1 hour and serve over ice with lime slices.

Notes

Calories come almost entirely from the sugar; unsweetened agua de jamaica has close to zero. Keeps up to 4 days in the fridge.