Most iced hibiscus tea is a bit too sharp – almost a puckery tartness without the right balance. But this recipe get’s it right. It’s still bright and refreshing, but has a smoother, more rounded flavor, that makes you want to drink the whole glass – not just take a few sips. The difference comes down to a few tweaks I made — like steeping the hibiscus tea with a slice of fresh orange and a pinch of salt — which naturally softens the acidity and brings out that deeper cranberry-like flavor. This is the drink of summer that blows your basic iced tea out of the water!
I’ve always had a thing for anything hibiscus—the flavor, yes, but especially that deep, vibrant ruby color. It’s one of those ingredients that just instantly makes a drink feel a little more special. Lately I’ve been playing around with it even more, and I just made a hibiscus strawberry spritz using hibiscus tea as the base, mixed with fresh strawberry puree and topped with prosecco. It turned out so good—bright, bubbly, and super refreshing—which honestly made me appreciate this iced version even more as an easy, everyday way to enjoy that same bold flavor (and color).
First off…What is hibiscus?
Hibiscus is a flowering plant known for its vibrant, colorful blooms, but the part used in tea comes from the dried calyces (the outer part of the flower). When steeped, it creates a deep red, tart, cranberry-like drink that’s naturally caffeine-free. It’s been used for centuries in herbal teas and traditional drinks around the world, like agua de jamaica.
Agua De Jamaica
Agua de jamaica is a popular Mexican drink made by steeping dried hibiscus flowers, then sweetening it (usually with sugar) and serving it cold. The drink we are making today is essentially that!
What are the benefits of drinking Hibiscus tea?
Hibiscus tea has numerous health benefits thanks to it’s high content of antioxidants (specifically anthocyanins, the same compounds found in berries). These antioxidants help protect against oxidative stress and inflammation.
How hibiscus tea can help the body:
- Blood pressure reduction: Studies show i can drop blood pressure multiple points! (Both systolic and diastolic)
- Improve cholesterol: Hibiscus tea can significantly reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.
- Reduces blood glucose levels
The great news is hibiscus tea has an excellent safety profile with minimal adverse effects reported in clinical trials!
What you need to make Iced Hibiscus Tea
- Water: The base of the tea—filtered water is best for the cleanest flavor.
- Dried hibiscus leaves: These give the tea its vibrant color and that bold, tangy, almost cranberry-like flavor that makes it so refreshing. It will make it taste so much better than just a basic tea bag. I bought a huge bag off Amazon for pretty cheap.
- Pinch of salt: Just a tiny amount helps smooth out the sharpness and balance the overall flavor (don’t skip this—it makes a difference!).
- Orange slices: Steeping fresh orange with the tea adds a subtle citrusy sweetness and rounds out the tartness beautifully.
- Ice: Essential for serving—this tea is best enjoyed ice-cold.
- Fresh mint (optional): Adds a light, refreshing finish and makes it feel a little extra special.
How to Make Hibiscus Tea
Making hibiscus tea is actually really easy. To speed up the steeping process, I recommend heating up some water over the stove in a pot (about 4 cups). Add your hibiscus leaves and bring it to a boil.
Once it’s boiling turn it down to a simmer (should still see some small bubbles). Add a pinch of salt and your slice of orange (if using).
Simmer it for about 10 minutes. FYI – Make sure your hibiscus leaves are fully saturated from the water!
Once your tea has simmered for 10 minutes, turn off your heat and add in your sweetner. You can use granulated sugar, maple syrup, honey, agave – whatever you like!
I recommend starting at 1 tbsp and going up from there based on your preference. Make sure to stir it really well to get it to dissolve in the warm water.
Strain it carefully to remove the leaves and orange slice.
Let it cool in the fridge before pouring over ice. Garnish with a mint leaf if you’d like! Enjoy!
Common Questions
Hibiscus tea is loaded with antioxidants (especially anthocyanins) and has been studied for supporting heart health, helping lower blood pressure, and providing anti-inflammatory benefits.
It’s also naturally caffeine-free, making it a great alternative to iced coffee or black tea.
Yes—agua de jamaica is the traditional Mexican version of hibiscus tea, typically sweetened and served cold.
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Easy Iced Hibiscus Tea
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Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 1/3 cup dried hibiscus flowers
- pinch of salt
- slice of an orange see notes
- 1-3 tbsp maple syrup or granulated white sugar
Optional Garnish
- mint
- fresh fruit
Instructions
- Add 4 cups of water to a medium pot over the stove. Add your hibiscus leaves and bring it to a boil. *Make sure hibiscus leaves get submerged.
- Once it's boiling turn it down to a simmer (should still see some small bubbles). Add a pinch of salt and your slice of orange (if using – see note).Simmer it for about 10 minutes.
- Once your tea has simmered for 10 minutes, turn off your heat and add in your sweetener of choice. You can use granulated sugar, maple syrup, honey, agave – whatever you like!I recommend starting at 1 tbsp and going up from there based on your preference. Make sure to stir it really well to get it to dissolve in the warm water.
- Strain your carefully to remove the leaves and orange slice.
- Let it cool in the fridge or on the counter before pouring over ice. Garnish with a mint leaf if you'd like! Enjoy!
Notes
- Hibiscus tea is naturally very tart, and if you want your tea to be more balanced, I recommend adding a slice of orange as your tea simmers. This will take out that “bite” in the tea when you sip it. If you like that tartness, don’t add the orange.
