Learn how to make Hibiscus Iced Tea, a refreshing, sugar-free summer drink made with dried hibiscus flowers. This simple hibiscus tea is easy to prepare and can be enjoyed anytime. There is no need for tea bags — just dried hibiscus, and you’ll have the perfect herbal tea iced drink in no time.
From the first time I brought dry hibiscus flowers from our trip to Dubai, this iced tea without sugar has been our go-to drink throughout the summer. Its vibrant color, refreshing tartness, and natural flavor make it a perfect thirst-quencher on hot days. You can top it with a bit of hibiscus powder to make it even more delicious.
Why You Will Love This Refreshing Drink
- Refreshing and Tangy: Hibiscus’s unique flavor is tart and slightly sweet, which is why it is so refreshing and perfect for hot days.
- Simple to Make: To make this tasty tea with hibiscus at home, you need a few ingredients and a little patience. It’s as simple as brewing cold coffee, so it’s no hassle.
- Caffeine-Free: This tea naturally has no caffeine, making it a great option if you’re trying to cut back or want a calming drink any time of day. Plus, hibiscus tea is safe to enjoy on a keto or low-carb diet.
Cold Brew Hibiscus Tea Recipe
Brewing my hibiscus iced tea at home has been a fantastic experience, and I’m too excited not to share it with you. This recipe is sugar-free, just like my other drinks, such as fresh lavender tea, rose petal tea, lavender lemonade, and creamy eggnog, and it’s the best hibiscus iced tea you’ll ever try.
It’s simple to make with just a few ingredients. Once you try it, you’ll never want store-bought iced tea again. Go ahead and make it—you won’t regret it.
Hibiscus Steeping Time
Since I made this hibiscus tea using a cold brew process, the steeping time depends on how strong I want my iced tea to be. I usually let it steep overnight, just like my cold brew coffee recipe, to get the best taste and a stronger flavor.
The steeping time is flexible—whether you prefer a shorter or longer steep, ensure the dried hibiscus flowers fully infuse the water with their flavor.
How To Make Hibiscus Iced Tea or Agua De Jamaica
The perfect summer drink is here, and I can’t wait to share this refreshing recipe with you. Just follow the simple steps below, and you can make this easy cold brew hibiscus tea whenever you like.
Kitchen Gadgets Needed:
- Mason Jar: A tall mason jar is the best for steeping the hibiscus flowers and water.
- Stainer: A fine mesh strainer separates the flowers from the hibiscus water.
Ingredients Needed:
- Dry Hibiscus Flowers: Try to find high-quality dried hibiscus flowers for the best flavor and perfect red color. I usually see them in health food stores or online.
- Water: Use filtered water for the best, clean, and pure taste.
- Ice Cubes: Prepare some ice cubes for the hibiscus tea since it is best to serve over ice.
*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING HIBISCUS TEA
First Step: Prepare Ingredients
Prepare your dried hibiscus flowers with the water you will use.
You can prepare the ice cubes at the end when you have already served the iced tea.
Second Step: Hibiscus Flowers and Water
Prepare your clean mason jar and add the dried flowers, crushing them in your hands for easy steeping.
After the flowers are in, fill the jar with water and cover it tightly with the lid. Shake to mix and steep the tea overnight.
Third Step: Strain and Serve
After the infusion, once the tea turns red from the petals of the hibiscus, start straining the tea with a fine strainer and transfer it to another jar.
Serve it over ice by adding ice cubes to your glass cup and pouring the tea to fill it up. You can optionally add some lavender syrup to taste; just like that, your hibiscus cold tea is ready to serve.
TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Sweeten: If you are wondering why this recipe does not have sweeteners, I prefer not to add one. However, you can sweeten your iced tea using one of the sugar-free sweeteners, stevia powder, simple syrup, or agave if you are not entirely on keto.
- Crush hibiscus petals: As you noticed in the process, I crushed the flowers in my hands before I added them to the jar. It is just a way to release their flavor better and for best results.
- Pitcher: If you don’t have a mason jar or any jar with a tight lid, you can use a glass pitcher with a lid. The only difference is that you can’t shake it. However, you can mix it with a spoon or stirrer.
- Add flavor: If you want more flavor, add cinnamon sticks or a squeeze of lime juice.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Can I Use Hibiscus Tea Bags If I Want To Make Hot Hibiscus Tea?
A hibiscus tea bag is a great substitute, especially if you don’t have hibiscus flowers at home. You can buy hibiscus tea bags in grocery stores or herbal food stores.
And yes, you can also make a delicious hot hibiscus tea out of it since you only need to infuse it into hot water.
Can I Add Lime Slices As Garnish?
Yes, of course. Most people love adding lime slices or fresh mint leaves to their Agua de Jamaica iced tea because it looks aesthetically pleasing and adds extra flavor that makes the iced tea taste better.
You can garnish your hibiscus flower iced tea with whatever you like as long as it will make you enjoy it more. Feel free to be creative.
What To Serve With Iced Hibiscus Leaf Tea?
Try to serve your iced hibiscus tea with light afternoon snacks like blueberry galette, egg-free breadsticks and mini burger bites for a whole snack meal. You can also serve it with Mexican dishes like homemade tacos, savory taco meat, and even chicken enchiladas, as this tea is also known as Agua de Jamaica in Mexico.
If you want something healthy, pair it with light salads like green goddess salad and broccoli salad topped with dehydrated cucumbers for a refreshing meal.
I like storing my delicious hibiscus tea in the mason jar I made it in. I keep it in the refrigerator to maintain its flavor, so it’s always ready when I want a refreshing drink.
You can also store it in a glass pitcher in the refrigerator, but make sure to use one with a lid so it won’t attract odors from other foods in the fridge.
More Healthy Drink Recipes
Let me share more of our healthy, sugar-free drink recipes you can enjoy any time of the day.
Starting with breakfast best cold brew coffee to brighten your day, a hot chocolate mix for a sweet morning, or ginger turmeric shots for an early morning energy boost.
For fruity lovers, try our delicious strawberry smoothie or tangy cranberry juice for a refreshing afternoon. I also have a recipe for flavored sparkling water that is better than lemonade and perfect for hot days to quench your thirst with flavors of natural fruits.
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Cold Brew Hibiscus Iced Tea
Ingredients
- 1/4 Cup Hibiscus Flowers Dry
- 4 Cups Water
- 1 Cup Ice Cubes
Video
Instructions
- Prepare your dried hibiscus flowers with the water you will use. You can prepare the ice cubes at the end when you have already served the iced tea.
- Prepare your clean mason jar and add the dried flowers, crushing them in your hands for easy steeping. After the flowers are in, fill the jar with water and cover it tightly with the lid. Shake to mix and steep the tea overnight.
- After the infusion, once the tea turns red from the petals of the hibiscus, start straining the tea with a fine strainer and transfer it to another jar. Serve it over ice by adding ice cubes to your glass cup and pouring the tea to fill it up. You can optionally add some lavender syrup to taste; just like that, your hibiscus cold tea is ready to serve.
Notes
- Sweeten: If you are wondering why this recipe does not have sweeteners, I prefer not to add one. However, you can sweeten your iced tea using one of the sugar-free sweeteners, stevia powder, simple syrup, or agave if you are not entirely on keto.
- Crush hibiscus petals: As you noticed in the process, I crushed the flowers in my hands before I added them to the jar. It is just a way to release their flavor better and for best results.
- Pitcher: If you don’t have a mason jar or any jar with a tight lid, you can use a glass pitcher with a lid. The only difference is that you can’t shake it. However, you can mix it with a spoon or stirrer.
- Add flavor: If you want more flavor, add cinnamon sticks or a squeeze of lime juice.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
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What a lovely idea.
So happy you like it.