Jamaica (Mexican Hibiscus Drink)
Jamaica is a Mexican hibiscus drink that’s super refreshing and the perfect drink to accompany your favorite tacos. You’ll need just three ingredients to make it and it’s ready in about 25 minutes.
What is the Mexican drink Jamaica made of?
Jamaica, no we’re not talking about the paradise island. When Mexicans say jamaica they are referring to a drink or tea made from dried hibiscus petals.
Hibiscus, or flor de jamaica as it’s known in Mexico, is an edible tropical flower with an array of uses. Some countries also know it as roselle or sorrel.
Both in Mexico and around the world, hibiscus is most commonly used in drinks. In Mexico we call it agua de jamaica and it’s one of the countless aguas frescas available around the country.
The simple process involves infusing dried hibiscus flowers with hot water, then straining it and adding a sweetener of choice, though it’s typically sugar.
Sometimes other flavorings may be added, it all depends on the region and personal taste.
Though the tea may be served hot or cold, I tend to prefer the cold option.
And when I want a refreshing summer drink this hibiscus tea is always in my top all-time favorites.
You just grab yourself a tall glass, add several large ice cubes, then pour the deep burgundy colored tea all the way to the top. Then take a big sip, and aaahhh, so refreshing!
In Mexico, specially here in Campeche, we are no strangers to scorching summer heat so hydrating drinks are an absolute must here. This summer I’ve had both agua de jamaica and agua de tamarindo on repeat.
Why You’ll Love This This Jamaica Drink
• It’s a fun agua frescaflavor that’s one of the classics, so a must try.
• It’s a delicious beverage that tastes a little tart and sweet, and fruity but doesn’t taste like flowers.
• Hibiscus tea is full of antioxidants, can help lower high blood pressure, stabilize blood sugar levels, boost your immune system, and so much more.
Dried hibiscus flowers can be purchased in any Mexican food market or in the Latin food section of your grocery store —if you can’t find it there try Amazon.com.
Jamaica Agua Fresca Ingredients
You need just 3 ingredients for this Mexican hibiscus drink!
Dried Hibiscus Petals: These are sold in small plastic bags or by the scoop and weight at your local Hispanic or Mexican food store. You’ll also find them at Caribbean markets under the name of sorrel. Of course there’s always Amazon too.
Water: This is to steep the petals in like when making tea.
Sweetener: You can use your favorite one here. The most common is perhaps granulated white sugar. I’ve also used piloncillo, raw cane or muscovado sugar.
Another one of my favorites is agave syrup. You could even use simple syrups if you’d like, remembering that each sweetener will give a different flavor.
Ingredient Variations
Occasionally, to give my jamaica agua fresca, a little burst of tart and citrus, I’ll add some lime juice. But keep in mind that you’ll need extra sweetener to balance things out.
Sometimes when made as a warm tea instead of a cold agua fresca, I’ve seen people add a cinnamon stick, fresh ginger, allspice, cloves and other spices to the mix. But these ingredients do give the drink a different flavor and different than you may be used to.
How to Make This Mexican Hibiscus Drink
Before You Begin
Measure out the jamaica flowers, place in a colander, and thoroughly rinse under cold water for a couple of minutes to remove any trapped dirt and debris. You’ll notice some color will bleed out and that’s ok. (Not everyone does this, but I do.)
Step 1
Place the rinsed hibiscus in a large pot then add in the water. I also like to add the agave syrup at this time, but it’s up to you. Cover the pot and bring to a boil over medium high heat, then turn heat down to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
Step 2
Turn the heat off and let steep for another 20 minutes.
Step 3
Place a large strainer on a large bowl or another pot, and strain and allow to cool down. At this time you can add the sugar or sweetener of your choice, if you didn’t add it in step 1, and stir to help it combine.
Step 4
Once the jamaica drink comes to room temperature you can pour into a large pitcher and if you’d like you can pour in cold water to dilute it. Additionally once cooled you can mix in the lime juice. Store in the refrigerator until cold and ready to serve.
How to Serve Agua de Jamaica
Before serving you’ll want to taste and adjust either by adding more water or sweetener.
Fill a glass with plenty of ice cubes then pour the jamaica over them. You can serve garnished with a lime slice.
For an adult treat you can add a shot of tequila into each glass. Make it look pretty by rimming the edge with salt and Tajin. Salud!
What to Serve with Agua de Jamaica
This popular drink can be served with so many of your favorite Mexican foods. This, along with horchata, are the two most popular drinks offered at Mexican restaurants.
I love my jamaica with birria tacos, cochinita tacos, tlacoyos, crispy potato tacos, red enchiladas, ham tortas, and both red tamales and green tamales.
What’s your favorite way to enjoy an ice cold glass of hibiscus tea?
Taste
The flavor is a little tart, just sweet enough, and it’ll remind you of something between cranberries and tart cherries. There are slight fruity and floral tones, but it doesn’t taste like a flower bouquet.
It’s quite a unique and refreshing flavor!
How to Store
Store in the refrigerator for up to a week or longer – if it’ll last you that long!
Other fun ways to store and use up agua de jamaica is to pour into ice cube trays and make delicious ice cubes for cocktails.
For a kid friendly treat you can make paletas or popsicles by pouring into popsicle molds and freezing until set.
Gracias
I’m so happy you stopped by. If you have any questions or want to let me know how you liked this recipe, do leave a comment. Muchas gracias, I appreciate you!
More Agua Fresca Recipes
Agua de Jamaica | Ice Cold Hibiscus Tea
Ingredients
- 100 grams or 3.53 oz dried hibiscus flowers called flor de jamaica in Spanish
- 10 cups or 2.37 litres water
- ⅓ cup agave syrup (or sugar or sweetener of choice) adjust to taste
- juice of one small lime* optional
Instructions
- Measure out the jamaica flowers, place in a colander, and thoroughly rinse under cold water for a couple of minutes to remove any trapped dirt and debris.
- Place the rinsed hibiscus in a large pot then add in the water. I also like to add the agave syrup at this time, but it's up to you. Cover the pot and bring to a boil over medium high heat, then turn heat down to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Turn the heat off and let steep for another 20 minutes.
- Place a large strainer on a large bowl or another pot, and strain and allow to cool down. At this time you can add the sugar or sweetener of your choice, if you didn't add it in step 1, and stir to help it combine.
- Once the jamaica drink comes to room temperature you can pour into a large pitcher and if you'd like you can pour in cold water to dilute it. Additionally once cooled you can mix in the lime juice, if using. Store in the refrigerator until cold and ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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Nancy Lopez is a food blogger and author of the cookbook Mexican Tamales Made Meatless. Born in Mexico, raised in the US, and currently living in Southern Mexico, she has followed a meatless diet for almost 10 years. It is her passion and mission to share all she has learned about vegan Mexican cooking and vegetarian Mexican recipes. Mexican Made Meatless is a blog dedicated to preserving the authentic flavors of Mexican cuisine just without the meat. It’s a place to celebrate Mexican culture and all it’s delightfully delicious traditional foods. Read more…
I looked for the dried hibiscus YEARS ago to make this. I never found any. I’ll have to try again, it looks delicious.
Hi Mindy! You can get them from Amazon or Mexgrocer.com, good luck! 🙂
Awesome colour and lighting! This would make some great ice pops too.
Yes, jamaica makes great ice pops, I suggested in the recipe.:) Thanks Angie!
Love the color of this! So terrific. Bet the flavor is outstanding, too. Thanks!
Thanks John! 🙂
Yum!! I love hibiscus tea. Yours looks so flavorful and refreshing!
Thank you Mary Frances! 🙂
It is awesome Nancy! Thank´s for sharing. I truly loved it!!.
Thank you Albert, happy to hear you enjoyed it! 🙂