Karkade (Egyptian Hibiscus Iced Tea)
Local name: كركديه
In short: Tart ruby-red hibiscus tea, sweetened to taste and served over ice. A favorite cooling drink in Egypt, especially in summer and Ramadan. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Resting
- 2 h 20 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 65 kcal
Karkade is made from dried hibiscus petals, which give a brilliant ruby color and a tart, cranberry-like flavor. Egyptians drink it cold on hot days and through Ramadan evenings, and hot in winter. It is easy to make: simmer, steep, strain, sweeten and chill. Many people sweeten it generously to balance the sourness, but you can adjust the sugar to your taste.
Instructions
- Rinse the hibiscus flowers briefly under cold water to remove any dust.
- Bring the water to a boil in a pot. Add the hibiscus and sugar, lower the heat, and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Remove from the heat, cover, and steep for 15 to 20 minutes, until the liquid is a deep ruby red.
- Strain through a fine sieve, pressing the flowers gently to release the last of the liquid. Taste and stir in the lemon juice, and more sugar if you like, while the tea is still warm.
- Cool, then chill for at least 2 hours. Serve over ice with a few mint leaves.
Tips
- Do not steep much longer than 20 minutes, or the drink turns bitter and astringent. For a milder flavor, use fewer flowers and add cold water at the end.
- Add the sugar while the tea is hot so that it dissolves fully. Karkade keeps for 5 days in the fridge, and frozen karkade cubes chill the drink without watering it down.
Questions and answers
What does karkade taste like?
Tart and fruity, a bit like cranberry or sour cherry, with a floral edge. Sugar softens the tartness.
Is karkade served hot or cold?
Both. It is popular chilled in summer and during Ramadan, and hot in winter. For a hot cup, serve it straight after straining.
Is hibiscus tea safe to drink every day?
Most people can enjoy it in moderation. Hibiscus may lower blood pressure, so check with a doctor first if you take blood pressure medication or are pregnant.
How long does it take to make Karkade (Egyptian Hibiscus Iced Tea)?
About 15 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Karkade (Egyptian Hibiscus Iced Tea)?
About 65 kcal per serving, with 0 g of protein, 17 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 65 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 17 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 17 g |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
