Red Drink with Hibiscus Tea

If you want a hot, aromatic, drinkable and vibrant concoction, hibiscus tea is for you. Or, since hot weather is upon us and what we really crave on hot days is something cold, it’s also impatiently waiting for us: it’s Red Drink. Agua de Jamaica, as it is known in its most classic version, is a drink that has found its way into the repertoire of a great many countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. And it’s catching on everywhere else.

Hibiscus gives the tea a gorgeous, jewel-toned colour but it comes with a few health perks, too: hibiscus is high in antioxidants and lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, and has vitamin C, which ups your immune system.

Making your own Red Drink at home is incredibly easy and only requires a few simple ingredients. Here’s how to do it:

Red Drink with Hibiscus Tea

Recipe by Vernon AlstonCourse: Beverage, DrinkCuisine: Latin American, Carribean, Cuba, Jamaican, African, Mexican

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

35

minutes

Calories

120

kcal

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers (also called Jamaica or roselle)

• 6 cups water

• 1/2 cup white sugar (or to taste)

• 1 cinnamon stick (optional)

• Lime wedges for serving (optional)

Directions

• In a large saucepan, combine the dried hibiscus flowers and water. Bring to a boil over high heat. In a large saucepan, combine the dried hibiscus flowers and water. Bring to a boil over high heat.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the sugar until dissolved. Taste and add more sugar if desired, keeping in mind that the flavor will mellow as it cools.
• If using, add the cinnamon stick and let the mixture steep for an additional 10 minutes.
• Strain the tea through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the hibiscus flowers. Discard the flowers.
• Allow the Red Drink to cool completely, then refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.
• Serve over ice and garnish with lime wedges if desired.

About Yummy Variations and Tips:

• For sparkling, chill the Red Drink and top off with sparkling water or soda water.
• Pair it with a splash of fresh lime juice or orange juice to achieve tartness.
• Experiment with different sweeteners like honey, agave, or brown sugar.
• You can also create a more concentrated hibiscus tea ‘syrup’: use less water to make your tea, and put into the fridge. When ready to serve, dilute with water (or soda water).
• Hibiscus tea on its own is quite tart, so you can use less sugar and add more to taste as needed.

Whether it’s a hot, humid summer day, or you want a fun and fruity, naturally sweet-tart and antioxidant-packed drink, you can easily whip up a batch of Homemade Red Drink. Naturally orange and yellow colors combine to create an eye-catching, festive purple beverage that is delicious and healthy! Be sure to give this recipe a try. Aloha!

Vernon Alston

Vernon Alston, a former chef, is an extraordinary personality with a rich history of food and a creative cooking style. Being the one for Vernon high proficiency in pro cuisine and also thanks to the years of his experience, he has succeeded in enhancing his skills, thus, deputtering the reputation of him as a chef, who is league in creating unforgettable dishes.