READY IN 1 hr

Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Water)

Read Reviews (14)

"This drink is served throughout Mexico. It is nice and refreshing. It is similar to a tart cranberry tea drink. You may add more or less sugar to your taste if you prefer. Enjoy!" — SB

Directions

Place 6 cups of water in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Stir in the hibiscus petals, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice. Reduce heat to medium-low, and gently simmer until the water has turned a deep red, 30 to 45 minutes.
Stir the chopped piloncillo into the hibiscus water until dissolved, then set aside to cool 15 minutes. After cooling, strain the warm liquid into a 1 gallon pitcher through a wire mesh strainer. Squeeze as much liquid from the petals as you can, then discard the petals. Stir in the white sugar until dissolved, then pour in enough cold water to fill the pitcher. Serve immediately or let stand overnight for best taste.

Kitchen-Friendly View

PREP 10 mins
COOK 35 mins
READY IN 1 hr

Reviews More Reviews

Most Helpful Positive Review

Jul 10, 2010

AWESOME!! I don't have a gallon pitcher, so I halved the recipe, got a lil too much nutmeg (oops!) still delicious. Going to try to gradually reduce the sugar. Excellent recipe. Thank you SB!! UPDATE: This has become my quaff du summer. In a 1/2 gl pitcher I've reduced the sugar to 1 medium cone of piloncillo and 1/2 c. white sugar. For some added goodness, I've squeezed a lime or two or three in it as well, so refreshing!

—LadySparkle

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Most Helpful Critical Review

Aug 20, 2010

I have it 2 stars because it's good. But not five because This is an exaggerated version of the Mexican Jamaica Drink. Both my parents are from Michoacan, Mex and my mother herself only boils Hibiscus leaves for a good 2 hours to extract all the flavor and color and as it's hot she adds Mexican sugar (not the piloncillo which has a different after taste, but course, unbleached, Mexican sugar) and that is it. I tried this recipe, and although good, it's not Mexican Jamaica, it heavily resembles that from Puerto Rico.

—DAGirlandei

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14 Ratings

Jun 14, 2010

Excellent! I love the agua de jamaica they sell in the restaurant part of our local Mexican grocery store, but it's SO expensive! This was simple to make and very inexpensive (about $3.00 for a gallon, compared to $3.49 for a 32-ounce cup at the store). This is less sweet and syrupy than the jamaica at the store, too, and that makes me like it even more. Thanks for a great recipe that I'll make many times!

—Keri

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Sep 28, 2010

I had to increase the amount of water as it was a bit too strong. Other than that... great recipe.

—Fatima E

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Jun 22, 2010

Indeed, this drink is served throughout the Caribbean. It's called sorrel in Jamaica and Barbados. Jamaicans add white rum to theirs for a Christmastime cocktail. We Bajans just brew the petals with a cinnamon stick and plenty of sugar! Back home in NY, the hibiscus petals (flors des Jamaica) were quite easy to find in any one of the myriad indigenous markets in town. (Used to be able to buy a sorrel syrup concentrate, too, if you couldn't find the petals.) Here in Nashville, we have to look a little harder for Mexican or international markets; but it's not impossible to find -- and well worth the trouble once you get the end result!

—divapat

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May 11, 2010

This recipe was exceptional!! I made this today and can't stop drinking it! :) the only problem I found with this is that it doesn't make enough... ;/ hehe! Thanks so much SB! You are such an AWESOME person (I can't thank you enough for sending me the ingredients, and there was enough in the package for a second recipe, so I'm gonna use it wisely!)! Oh, yeah... and my sister (larkspur) made this with me, so there will be a picture! :D

—geranium

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May 05, 2010

You can use a 2oz bag of dried hibiscus leaves which can be found at the local mexican markets.

—SB

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Jul 27, 2010

I added some tropical Green Tea to my first batch. I love Jamaica anyway I can get it, but I always like to add some sort of interesting tea to my homemade Jamaica. It always adds another level to the fragrant bouquet this drink already leaves behind after each slow sip. Mmm MMM! Perfect for Summer!

—Suprise Me

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Nutrition

Calories
97 kcal
5%

Carbohydrates
25.3 g
8%

Cholesterol
0 mg
0%

Fat
0 g
< 1%

Fiber
0.2 g
< 1%

Protein
0 g
< 1%

Sodium
3 mg
< 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional Information

Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Water)

Serving Size: 1/16 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 16
Amount Per Serving
** Calories: 97
** Calories from Fat: < 1

% Daily Value *
** Total Fat 0g < 1 %
** Saturated Fat 0g < 1 %
** Cholesterol 0mg 0 %
** Sodium 3mg < 1 %
** Potassium 4mg < 1 %
** Total Carbohydrates 25.3g 8 %
** Dietary Fiber 0.2g < 1 %
** Protein 0g < 1 %
** Sugars 25g
** Vitamin A < 1 %
** Vitamin C < 1 %
** Calcium < 1 %
** Iron < 1 %
** Thiamin < 1 %
** Niacin < 1 %
** Vitamin B6 < 1 %
** Magnesium < 1 %
** Folate < 1 %

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.