How to Make Hibiscus Tea
by Marly McMillen
This hibiscus tea is more than a colorful drink. It’s also loaded with health benefits, flavor, and more. Serve it plain or with fizzy water.
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If you love a refreshing drink that’s beautiful and delicious, hibiscus tea is for you! With its vibrant ruby-red color and tart, cranberry-like flavor, this caffeine-free herbal tea is the perfect pick-me-up on a warm day.
Whether you sip it hot, pour it over ice, or dress it up as a latte, this simple recipe will show you how to make hibiscus tea at home in just a few steps.
What is Hibiscus Tea?
Hibiscus tea is an herbal infusion made from the dried petals of the hibiscus sabdariffa flower. Once you steep it in hot water, the flower petals release a bold crimson color and a tangy flavor that’s often compared to cranberries.
You might also hear hibiscus tea called Agua de Jamaica in Mexico and Central America, or sorrel in the Caribbean. It’s a popular drink around the world, enjoyed hot or cold, and often sweetened to balance its natural tartness.
Because hibiscus grows in warm, tropical climates, sipping this tea can instantly transport you to a sunny beachside afternoon.
Beyond its flavor, hibiscus tea is naturally caffeine-free and packed with antioxidants, making it both refreshing and nourishing.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.
- Water — If your tap water has flavor, I recommend using filtered water.
- Dried hibiscus flowers — You can get dried hibiscus flowers online or substitute hibiscus tea bags, such as Celestial Seasonings Red Zinger (the primary ingredient is hibiscus)
- Sweetener — I oftentimes make the concentrate without sweetener so I can add it to individual glasses. My favorite sweeteners are maple syrup, zero-calorie sweeteners like stevia, or even sugar.
- Lemon — Having a fresh lemon handy gives each glass some pizzazz, but you can substitute bottled lemon juice or even lime.
- Fresh mint leaves — You can buy fresh mint in the produce section of many grocery stores all year long. Of course, fresh mint is optional, but it adds color and flavor. I do not recommend using mint extract as it overpowers this drink.
- Fresh Ginger — Adding fresh ginger to the steeping tea adds a hint of flavor to the finished glass. If you don’t have fresh ginger handy, you can substitute ½ to 1 teaspoon of dried ginger.
Why it’s a Winner
- Fresh ginger adds a zesty flavor, softening the tart flavor of the hibsicus flowers
- Adding fresh mint means this delightful drink has even more appeal
- Use dried hibiscus flowers or tea bags to create this easy and refreshing beverage
How to Make Hibiscus Tea
- Heat water in a saucepan or microwave until hot but not boiling, then remove from heat.
- Add the hibiscus tea and ginger to hot water. Steep for 2 to 4 minutes.
- Strain the hibiscus syrup into a pitcher or mason jar. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours until chilled.
- Serve it hot or cold with sweetener, lemon juice, lemon slices, and fresh mint leaves.
Marly’s Tips
Don’t have dried hibiscus flowers? You can substitute hibiscus tea bags and steep those in the hot water with the ginger. I recommend using at least 2 tea bags to get the intense flavor and color.
Storage Tips
Store the hibiscus concentrate in an airtight, lidded container like a mason jar, for up to 10 days in the fridge.
Variations to Try:
Variety is the spice of life, even when it comes to hibiscus tea! Here are some of my favorite ways to serve this tea:
1. Hibiscus Tea Latte
Pour hibiscus concentrate into a glass filled with ice until it’s about ⅔ full. Add sweetener, lemon juice, lemon slices, and fresh mint. Pour milk until the glass is mostly full. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint sprigs.
2. Iced Hibiscus/Agua Fresca
Pour the hibiscus concentrate into a glass with ice. Stir in your sweetener of choice. I love adding some carbonated water, such as club soda to make a fizzy drink.
3. Spiced Hibiscus Tea
Whether you’re serving it hot or cold, adding spices like ground cinnamon, ginger, and cloves adds so much flavor to this colorful drink. Experiment until you find your favorite blend!
4. Hibiscus Sun Tea
If you’re like me, you love that nostalgic vibe of making sun tea. You can do the same with hibiscus tea! I like to make a combined hibiscus green tea by using both green and hibiscus tea bags in a lidded pitcher with water and set it out on the deck for a few hours. This delivers the perfect slow-brewed flavor every time!
Potential Health Benefits of Hibscus Tea
This is a crimson herbal tea that comes with lots of nutritional benefits. Here are some of the nutritional benefits to pay attention to:
- Polyphenols — these are powerful organic micronutrients such as flavonoids that can be found in many plants
- Antioxidants — these organic compounds slow down the act of oxidation occurring in our systems.
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
Because it’s caffeine-free, you can consume hibiscus tea before bedtime. Some even use this drink to soothe a sore throat.
As with anything, it’s wise to drink this tea in moderation. For me, this means I might have a glass a day for several days, and then I take a few days off. But I like variety in my beverages!
That’s it for this hibiscus iced tea recipe. Enjoy!
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More Refreshing Drinks to Try
Hibiscus Tea
Ingredients
- 4 cups filtered water
- ½ cup dried hibiscus flowers
- 2 thin slices fresh ginger (see note)
- sweetener
- 1 medium lemon
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves
Instructions
- Heat water in a saucepan or microwave until hot but not boiling.
- Remove from heat and add the hibiscus flowers and ginger. Steep for 2 to 4 minutes.
- Strain into a pitcher or mason jar. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours until chilled.
- To serve add sweetener, juice of one lemon (or lim½e) and lemon slices, and fresh mint leaves.
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Notes
The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Frequently-Asked Questions
Can hibiscus tea lower blood pressure?
Some studies suggest that drinking hibiscus tea may help lower blood pressure, thanks to its naturally occurring plant compounds. However, results can vary, and it’s always best to talk with your healthcare provider before using hibiscus tea as a treatment for hypertension. Source.
Does hibiscus tea make you sleepy?
Hibiscus tea is naturally caffeine-free, so it won’t give you the same buzz as coffee or black tea. While it doesn’t directly cause sleepiness, many people find that drinking a warm, caffeine-free tea in the evening helps them wind down and relax.
Can you drink hibiscus tea every day?
For most people, hibiscus tea is safe to enjoy daily in moderate amounts. It’s hydrating, naturally low in calories, and full of antioxidants. That said, if you’re taking medications (especially for blood pressure) or are pregnant, it’s best to check with your doctor before making hibiscus tea a daily habit.
About the Author
Hi! I’m Marly McMillen. I’m the founding editor, author, recipe developer, vegan home chef, and food stylist behind Namely Marly. I’m so grateful to you and every member of my audience for your support and dedication. More about Namely Marly ›
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