Hibiscus Iced Tea
In short: A tart, ruby-red iced tea steeped from dried hibiscus flowers with orange peel and a little sugar. Caffeine-free and very refreshing. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Resting
- 2 h
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 52 kcal
Dried hibiscus flowers make one of the most striking drinks you can brew at home: deep ruby red, tart like cranberry and free of caffeine. Hibiscus tea is enjoyed in many parts of the world, and the dried flowers are easy to find in spice shops and online. Steep them briefly, sweeten while hot and dilute with cold water. Orange peel and a cinnamon stick round out the tartness.
Instructions
- Rinse the dried hibiscus flowers briefly in a sieve under cool running water.
- Put the flowers, orange peel and cinnamon stick in a heatproof jug or pan. Pour over the boiling water, cover and steep for 10 minutes. The water will turn deep ruby red.
- Strain the tea into a clean jug, pressing the flowers with a spoon to get out every drop. Discard the flowers, peel and cinnamon.
- Stir in the sugar while the tea is still hot, until it dissolves.
- Add the cold water and the lime juice. Taste and stir in more sugar if the tea is still too sharp.
- Cool on the counter for 20 minutes, then chill for at least 2 hours. Serve over ice with orange or lime slices.
Tips
- Hibiscus is very tart, so start with a little less sugar and add more to taste after diluting. Agave syrup also works in place of the sugar.
- Look for whole dried flowers in spice shops, Latin and African grocers or online. Whole flowers taste cleaner than powder.
Questions and answers
Is hibiscus tea safe for everyone?
Hibiscus can lower blood pressure and is not recommended during pregnancy. If you take blood pressure or diabetes medication, check with your doctor before drinking it regularly.
Does hibiscus tea contain caffeine?
No. It is a herbal infusion made from flowers, so it is naturally caffeine-free and suitable for the evening.
Why is my hibiscus tea so sour?
Hibiscus is naturally acidic. Dilute it with more cold water, steep it for a shorter time or add a little more sugar until it tastes balanced.
How long does it take to make Hibiscus Iced Tea?
About 15 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Hibiscus Iced Tea?
About 52 kcal per serving, with 0 g of protein, 13 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 52 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 13 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
| Sodium | 3 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
