How to Make Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus flowers are used around the world for making a tart tea, and for various healing tonics. Try using this easy method to make your own refreshing hibiscus tea that can be sweetened to taste. Made with lemon, cinnamon and sugar or honey, this tea is sure to please everyone. This recipe yields approximately four servings.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Medium sauce pan
• Cinnamon sticks
• Fresh hibiscus blossoms or dried flower petals
• Drink pitcher
• Sugar or honey to sweeten
• Small lemon

1. Bring four cups water to a boil in a medium sauce pan. Once the water comes to a rolling boil, turn the heat off.

2. Add 8 large fresh hibiscus flowers, or 2 tbsp. of dried flower petals to the water. Add 1 to 2 cinnamon sticks, depending on how strong you like the tea.

3. Cover the pan and allow the hibiscus flowers and cinnamon sticks to steep for 15 to 20 minutes. Do not leave the flowers in the water for more than 20 minutes, or you’ll end up with a bitter tea. For a stronger tea, add more flowers instead of steeping longer.

4. Strain the hibiscus tea into a drink pitcher. Add the juice from one small lemon and sugar or honey to taste. Alternatively, you can leave the pitcher of tea unsweetened and allow guests to add their own sweetener.

5. Pour the tea over ice in individual glasses when serving. Garnish each glass with a lemon wedge, if desired. Refrigerate any leftovers for up to three days before discarding.

Tips & Warnings

• Dried hibiscus flower petals can be found at Latino food markets, or ordered from reputable herb sellers online.

• Stevia extract can also be used to sweeten the hibiscus tea, if sugar and/or honey are not available or desirable.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish