One of my favorite childhood memories is going to Mexico with my family. Every time we would visit family in San Jose del Cabo, my dad's cousin, Veronica served this amazing drink. Agua de Jamaica, bright pink and refreshing, I would drink several glasses. She explained to me the delicious drink has many health benefits, including being beneficial for your urinary tract and lowering blood pressure. It is high in Iron and Vitamin C. Agua de Jamacia is hibiscus water made from the purple, dried petals, often sweetened with cane sugar and kept in the fridge as a common Agua de Fresca. While she gets her Jamaica flowers from Costco, I have to order mine online, I buy these ones.
In the summer, this makes the best drink. It is a simply made concentrate that is kept in the fridge. Use it to even add some flair to your margaritas, or lemonade. I personally keep mine unsweetened.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Hibiscus Flowers
- 8 cups / 2 quarts Room Temp or Cold Filtered Water
Add the ingredients to a large pot and bring to boil. You will quickly notice the beautiful color. Once boiling, reduce the temperature to a low simmer for 10 minutes. Strain, and allow it to cool. Once cooled, keep the concentrate in the fridge. I personally prefer mine strong, so I pour the concentrate over ice, but it can be diluted with water as well.
Enjoy!
¡Gracias Veronica por presentarme esta deliciosa bebida!
I just dispose of them in the compost!
This might be a silly question, but what do you do with the leaves after you drain the liquid?