Refreshing Mexican Agua de Jamaica Recipe Easy Hibiscus Iced Tea with Lime for Summer
A vibrant and refreshing Mexican hibiscus iced tea with lime, perfect for cooling off during hot summer days. This easy recipe uses simple pantry staples to create a tart, floral, and slightly sweet beverage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers (about 15–20 grams)
- 8 cups water (divided: 4 cups for steeping, 4 cups for diluting)
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup granulated sugar (100–150 grams), adjusted to taste
- Juice of 2 large fresh limes (about 3 tablespoons or 45 ml)
- Lime wedges for serving (optional)
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Bring 4 cups (950 ml) of water to a rolling boil in a large pot or saucepan.
- Stir in the dried hibiscus flowers, remove the pot from heat, and cover with a lid. Let steep for 15–20 minutes until the water turns deep red and fragrant.
- Strain the tea through a fine mesh strainer or sieve into a large pitcher, pressing gently to extract flavor but avoiding sediment.
- While the tea is still warm, stir in 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar until fully dissolved. Adjust sweetness up to 3/4 cup (150 grams) if desired.
- Add the remaining 4 cups (950 ml) of cold water and the juice of 2 large limes. Stir well to combine.
- Refrigerate the tea for at least 1 hour to chill and allow flavors to meld. Alternatively, add ice cubes directly to the pitcher if short on time.
- Serve the Agua de Jamaica over ice in tall glasses, garnished with lime wedges and fresh mint leaves if desired.
Notes
Avoid steeping hibiscus flowers for more than 20 minutes to prevent bitterness. Add sugar while the tea is warm to ensure it dissolves completely. Freshly squeezed lime juice is recommended for best flavor. For a fizzy variation, add sparkling water when serving. Store leftover tea in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and stir before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 ounces (240 ml)
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 13
- Sodium: 5
- Carbohydrates: 13
Keywords: Agua de Jamaica, hibiscus iced tea, Mexican drink, summer beverage, lime tea, refreshing tea, iced tea recipe