Learn how to make hibiscus tea which has some amazing benefits. Make this with either fresh or dried flowers and choose to have it as a hot cup of tea or as hibiscus iced tea because either way it’s delicious and really good for you!
We have a pretty big hibiscus tree in our new garden and everyday we get a few hibiscus flowers. Combined with the hibiscus in our neighbor’s garden there is a LOT of hibiscus. Not complaining because it makes the most delicious hibiscus tea.
I ended up posting how to make hibiscus tea on Instagram stories yesterday and the response was incredible. So many people suggested other ways to use hibiscus which is edible and has a variety of health benefits.
So obviously, I had to write down everything I’ve found out about this superfood and share it with you.
My favorite part of brewing a pot of hibiscus tea at home is the color of course. It has a gorgeous deep pink hue that’s hard to beat. And so perfect right now because afternoons here are getting warmer and a chilled glass of this is super welcome.
We have an amma who comes to help us and she’s the one who got started us on this. She saw us collecting a bowl of the flowers and was so excited to show us what we could do with it. So far we’ve made a fabulous hibiscus hair mask which works as a conditioner and this tea. She prefers it hot with honey and a squirt of lime juice but I’m all about the hibiscus iced tea. I mean who can resist when it looks like this?
Benefits of Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus tea has a ton of benefits. Hibiscus tea has been known to prevent hypertension, lower blood pressure, reduce blood sugar levels, keep your liver healthy, help with menstrual cramps, help with depression, aid digestion and help with weight management. Its rich in Vitamin C, contains minerals such as flavonoids and has laxative properties. And it tastes delicious!
But it can also have some side effects.
Side Effects of Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus Tea can affect estrogen levels which means that it has an effect of both pregnancy and fertility. If you are trying to become pregnant or are pregnant, you should probably avoid hibiscus in your diet. It also lowers blood pressure which can be harmful if you already suffer from low blood pressure.
With anything that has medicinal properties, its really important to see if it works for you. Something that I’m slowly learning while we live here in Auroville. We eat a lot of healthy, local ingredients now and people around us are happy to tell us more about them.
Don’t be afraid to try this out because it’s incredibly easy to make and you can make it with both fresh or dried flowers. If you don’t have access to fresh one, dried hibiscus flowers are easily available online.
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How to make Hibiscus Tea + its Benefits
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Learn how to make hibiscus tea which has some amazing benefits. Make this with either fresh or dried flowers and choose to have it as a hot cup of tea or as hibiscus iced tea because either way it’s delicious and really good for you!
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh Hibiscus Flowers (or 1/2 cup dried Hibiscus Flowers)
- 8 cups Water
- 1/4 cup Honey (add more if you like your tea sweeter)
- 3 tablespoons fresh Lime Juice
Instructions
- Prepping hibiscus flowers: If using fresh hibiscus flowers, remove the calyx or the green part at the base of the flower to which the stem is attached. You can also remove the pistil which is the thin thread like tube in the middle of the flower which has pollens attached to it or you can choose to keep it. You don’t need to do this if you are using dried flowers.
- Boil the tea: Bring the hibiscus flowers and water to a boil in a large pot. Once the water starts boiling, switch off the flame and cover the vessel. At this point, you can also add other herbs or add ins such as basil, lemon grass, lemon zest etc. Let the tea steep for 15-20 minutes. Mix in the honey and lime juice till completely combined. Strain the tea.
- Serving Hibiscus Tea: You can either serve hibiscus tea warm or you can chill it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours. Either way it tastes delicious!
Notes
- Add Ins: You can add some of your favorite flavors to this tea. Basil, lemon grass, lemon zest and mint all taste really nice with hibiscus
- Sweetness: We prefer our tea moderately sweet but feel free to add more honey or even replace it with sugar if you like
I love this tea. I prefer to add fresh strawberries to mine. It is like a mouth full of summer, I can see how it helps with depression…especially the winter time blues.
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Wow, hibiscus tea sounds interesting. I am so excited to try this. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful recipe. 🙂
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Hi, you should include the hibiscus species name on your blog so readers don’t get confused. There are hundreds of species and most cannot be made into tea. Hibiscus sadbariffa or roselle is the species you will find online as a dry calix. It is likely what was used to make your tea. The photo you have of the hibiscus plant is not this species and will not make good tea.
Thanks, I’ll update the post to share the name of the species
Mine turned green but tastes okay
I was wondering what kind of herbal tea I would enjoy with dinner or after dinner. I remembered, I recently bought Hybiscus Tea bags at Trader Joe’s
So I brewed some tonight. I automatically sweetened it With a bit of honey… and it was so delicious. I brewed another cup to refrigerate & mix with mineral.water… tomorrow. Excited about that prospect…Topo Chico mineral Water is my favorite & has replaced pretty much all sodas except Root Beer…so I googled the benefits of hybiscus Tea…and got this great article. I look forward to trying it with fresh flowers! Namaste
Thanks! Hibiscus tea is amazing!
I got hooked on hibiscus teas when I tried Lipton’s Green ice tea with black berries and pomegranates which I can’t find anymore 😥❗Then I found Tetley’s Hibiscus tea. Now I get my daughter to pick up the dried flowers from the Spanish section of the flea market😊‼Sometimes I put Tamrime pods in with it too.
I can’t get enough of it.
Will hibiscus grow in zone 8⁉️
Where do I find fresh Hibiscus Flowers?
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The best way is to ask your friends and see if someone has a plant in their garden. Or you could buy dried hibiscus flowers online.
Restaurant Depot if u have their card to get in or go to any groce3ry store and look @ international food section.
If you live in an area with a Winco, they have dried hibiscus in their bulk section.
On Amazon. 😊
I just bought 3 bags for $5 at my local farmer’s market in Kapaa, Hawaii (island of Kauai). Beautiful. Brewing a pot right now.
I made this a few days ago, added some lemon grass and a couple of limes and was perfect not to sweet or tart, just right, so refreshing!
Thank you for sharing.
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Sounds delicious! So glad you liked it Rhonda
Thanks so much
Loved the Hibiscus Tea
Thanks!
I love hibiscus tea!, I was actually boiling it while reading the article, I didnt add sweetner or honey but it still taste so great! Plus its gonna hopefully help with my type 1 diabetes.
Thanks
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Its so refreshing!
A Hispanic friend turned me on to hibiscus tea. I add lavender flowers to mine, and use stevia as a sweetener. There are no health food stores near me, but Amazon has a selection of organic dried flowers. I put them in a mesh bag so it isn’t necessary to strain it. It is so delicious I drink it all day.
Sounds fantastic Teri!
Just looking at it makes me like it.My house has lots of hibiscus flowers, I will try this recipe right now
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Thanks Melissa!
Great recipe it’s got the perfect ratio of water and flower. I got to say it’s simple and delicious very refreshing. My kids love it when we make them into popsicles.
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Popsicles sound perfect! So glad you liked it Rimmy!
Absolutely delicious. I made mine with a dash of cinnamon and a twist of lime. You can bet this will be a staple in our home!
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So glad you liked it Mattie!
Thanks for your sharing.I am going to try this soon coz i am a high blood pressure patient.
Thank you for posting this – I made it today with fresh flowers, and it turned out fantastic. Such a beautiful color too!
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Thank you!
I love to cook and I’m always looking for new recipes for my menu, which makes me always interested in my work. Today’s my lucky day, Hibiscus Tea is great, just follow the instructions and everything is easy, I like it. Thanks for your sharing
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Great. Can we make it with withered flowers?
Thanks
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Sure, that works!
Yes Hibiscus Tea is great!
Such a nice receipe..i am going to try this soon coz i am a high blood pressure patient..
Thank u very much for sharing this..
Jazzak Allah
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Perfect! Excellent recipe and my tea came out exactly how I hoped it would 🙂 give it a nice little rolling boiling, turn off the heat, I let mine sit for 15ish minutes and the flavor strength was just right. Thanks for the recipe!
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Sounds perfect! Thanks for sharing Katharine
Thank you for sharing I also would like to share how I make mine which my Syrian friend teach me.
Put One handful hibiscus tea with 500ml boiling water, let cool down, drain, add another 500ml cold water, spoon of Orange blossom water, honey or sugar if u wish, serve with ice…very refreshing and healthy drink. My whole family love it !
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Sounds delicious. Thanks for sharing Nina!
Thanks for the recipe, gonna try it soon. A new ice tea will be good for the dog days in Mississippi 👍.
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Thanks lee, I hope you like it!
Hi! I am excited. I just picked 8 large red hibiscus flowers from the garden. I took out the middle part with the pollen, boiled the water, and am now steeping. I have lots more flowers in the garden. What is your method of drying the fresh flowers so they don’t get moldy?
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Hey Liese, I’ve never tried drying them. But sun drying is the best.
i heard about this tea on the dr. oz show and 1 day i was in the grocery store and a lady approached me and asked me if i knew if this store sold the tea i sold her i didn’t know then i stared to look for it myself so i am going to try it myself thanks for all the info.
Is hibiscus good for people with anemia, does it increase blood levels.
I made my first batch 2 cups flowers and 8 cups water and let it stand in refrigerator over night. I drained it and it is a nice red color. But it has no taste. Just taste like water. What did I do wrong. My flowers that i used were the ones that were ready to fall off, so they are dark on the tips. Should I have make sure they were new flowers?
I’m not sure why that happened Pam. The ones that are ready to fall off are actually best for this recipe.
I have Red, Peach, and Pink flowers, all make delicious tea.
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Thanks for sharing that – I’m sure it’ll help the other readers
Got them in my garden .. How do I make the lemon grass and hibiscus into dry tea leaves please ??
Oh this is interesting and healthy drink, I will give it a try. Thanks for sharing this.
I like to add a few dried flowers to a bottle of water. It’s gives the water a lemony flavor and beautiful color.
Can you take the flowers that died over nite and dry them out and store them in a container
Sure!
I also make my tea as I would do sun tea and avoid the kitchen. It tastes equally delicious and easier to convert in to ice tea, which is my favorite.
I just found out about this tea being helpful for lowering HB. I put about a 1/2 cup of the dried flowers in 2 quarts of cold water, then placed in the fridge over night to brew. Today I put ice in a glass and added the tea It tastes great. My friend suggested adding some unflavored sparkling water to it too but don’t think I will as I really like it without adding anything. ( Has anyone else brewed it like this without adding any sugars,herbs ext???)
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Am an Hbp, I get confused sometimes, should I drink cold or warm? Plz educate me
Absolutely that’s the only way we drink it
A very interesting reaction happened when I added lime juice. My tea was not a pretty color until I added lime and then it transformed into a soft pink. Sort of neat. I have very red flowers but my drink is not as rich in color as yours. Does it make a difference if they are dried or fresh? I used dried. Thank you for your recipe.
Hey Jill, that lime juice is a game changer. And yes, fresh flowers tend to have a more vibrant colour compared to dried flowers.
Hey, Richa
I’m a huge fan of myfoodstory.com. Very much love your blog. I just wanted to reach out because I’ve really been enjoying your posts. In fact, I am a coffee and tea lover, and i have many teawares and teas collections.
I know you’re busy, so I won’t waste your time. I’m reaching out because I have an idea share to you. I am the owner of Umi Tea Sets LTD. I am Chinese, I saw your blog has wrote this article about many coffee ..I really enjoy them.
Do you know about yixing teapot, yixing teapot is the best clay in China and most tea lover use it to brew tea. I have many collections of it, can I sent you one of my beautiful yixing teapot as gift? It is handmade. Also I will sent you some our best Chinese tea to you, you can use the yixing teapot to brew this tea, it is wonderful. Hope you will like them and hope can become friend. Can you accept my first gift to you?
What’s more, i am an English SEOer, which I can provide many tips for you blog, it can improve your website to get high ranking and more visitors in shorten time, I can write the tips for you if you want.
Thanks for your time and consideration! I can’t wait to hear back from you.
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Hey, Richa
I’m a huge fan of myfoodstory.com. Very much love your blog. I just wanted to reach out because I’ve really been enjoying your posts. In fact, I am a coffee and tea lover, and i have many teawares and teas collections.
I know you’re busy, so I won’t waste your time. I’m reaching out because I have an idea share to you. I am the owner of Umi Tea Sets LTD. I am Chinese, I saw your blog has wrote this article about many coffee ..I really enjoy them.
Do you know about yixing teapot, yixing teapot is the best clay in China and most tea lover use it to brew tea. I have many collections of it, can I sent you one of my beautiful yixing teapot as gift? It is handmade. Also I will sent you some our best Chinese tea to you, you can use the yixing teapot to brew this tea, it is wonderful. Hope you will like them and hope can become friend. Can you accept my first gift to you?
What’s more, i am an English SEOer, which I can provide many tips for you blog, it can improve your website to get high ranking and more visitors in shorten time, I can write the tips for you if you want.
Thanks for your time and consideration! I can’t wait to hear back from you.
Cheers,
Umi Tea Sets
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I know hibiscus tea in my village (Ethiopia)we use it for holyday and for different ceremony, to drink with sugar and use hot tea, I thank you for more information about it.
I have Pink & Hawaiian Sunset Hibiscus in my front yard. They’re both good for tea. There’s a company in Hawaii that sells tea online. It’s the Sunset variety with dries pineapple and coconut. I will be trying this at home. I also like what a local Mexican restaurant calls Arnesto Palma: unsweetened hibiscus tea with limeade.
Wow! Thats great Kevin – thanks for sharing. I’m sure it’ll help other readers who want to use different varieties of Hibiscus
One more thing. Can I use other hibiscus flowers such as the purple or yellow ones? Thanks again.
I’ve never tried it with anything but the red flowers so can’t be sure of the results Olivia.
All hibiscus flowers are edible, but if you want the best benefits, you want the type that’s called ‘roselle’. That’s the one that makes the deep red tea, and it’s the calyxes that are used.
Hi! I love this recipe, I’m going to try this tomorrow morning. Btw we dont have lime stock in the house, is calamansi okay as an alternative?
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Yes that should work! Did you try it with calamansi?
The first time I heard of hibiscus tea, very special, its taste was very different. Thank you for letting me know a new tea recipe
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You can also find dried hibiscus at local farmers markets and Caribbean grocers.
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Hello! Can we use tea bags of Hibiscus?
Thank you!
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Sure you can!
Muchas gracias por tu receta y por enseñar la manera de usar las flores frescas. Tengo un hibiscus de flores dobles de color rosa. Quisiera saber si es posible usar las flores frescas para rellenarlas con carne y cocinar en el horno, como se hace con las flores de zapallo.(Thank you very much for your recipe and for teaching how to use fresh flowers. I have a pink double hibiscus flower. I would like to know if it is possible to use fresh flowers to fill them with meat and cook in the oven, as is done with pumpkin flowers.)
I have no idea Rosa. I’ve never tried to do that with hibiscus flowers.
All hibiscus flowers are edible, just take out the stamen and pistils. However, I’m not sure how they’d hold up to cooking. Squash flowers work so well because they’re like a little pouch, while hibiscus petals aren’t usually fused together.
I like hot tea,but ice lemon red tea is so good.
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I have made this recipe and love it. How long will the concentrate last in the refrigerator? I read it only lasts 3 days with the recipe I tried. I live alone and when you dilute it 1 part concentrate to 3 parts water, again according to the recipe I tried, it will last more than 3 days. You do not mention diluting it in water, so you drink the concentrate steeped in the pot? My recipe called for the same as yours 2 cups flowers to 2 quarts of water.
Thanks
Hey Toney, we drink this as is and don’t dilute this
Please help me. I have a cranberry hibiscus plant and every time I use this method to make tea, it comes out green, bitter, and stinky. What am I doing wrong?
If it’s a roselle, you want to use the calyx, not the actual flower.
I like your recipe, however, I must highlight that drinking cold Hibiscus Tea helps lowering BP. While drinking Hibiscus hot Tea may increase BP.
Thanks for sharing that Sandra!
Hello,
I grew up drinking hibiscus tea or actually water drink as Jamaican water that in Spanish it’s called ” Agua de jamaica” my whole childhood, the only thing that yes my mom what boil dried tea flowers with enough water deluded with more water and sugar just about maybe five years ago that’s what I started drinking hibiscus tea warmed just with honey and I fell even more in love with it as a tea, now one thing I did not know that this tea had many benefits now my mother suffers from HB and this is something I want to tell her to start drinking cold as I just saw and one of the comments got a few drink it hot it’s not good but drink it cold and yes it is good for HB, now one thing but I did see and please I asked anyone that could please answer my question oh, it says that it does help with weight loss now the question is how do I drink this for weight loss how cold or hot? And also do I just drink it plain with or without sweeteners for weight loss? Thank you very much for this information.
I used my French press. Filled my electric kettle while water is getting to a boil I Put dried hibiscus flowers into the empty press. Doubled the dried hibiscus to make a concentrate since press only holds 4 cups.The press has the filter in the lid so what could be easier. After steeping it. Pressed it delicately, let it cool, then poured it into a gallon container to go in frig. Can add honey while still hot or later. French press clean up is sooooo easy.
Wow! Didn’t know this could work in a french press. Thanks for sharing Shirley. We’ve found a new way to make hibiscus tea today, thanks to you!
I just discovered this. Bought some dried hibiscus and made 2 cups dried with 8 cups of water and one cinnamon stick. I made it in my Instant Pot pressure cooker set for 3 minutes, NR. Came out very strong and had to dilute with more water. Added honey to taste. Very refreshing.
Thanks for sharing Lily!
Very good.
I added fresh ginger and lemon to mines.
My granny always said “if you’re making herbal teas,always use an odd number of ingredients.Never an even number”.
Maybe its superstition but I trusted her. So i stick to that.😊
She was a wise woman.
Next time I’m gonna make it the “island way” with cloves and spices. They call it Sorrell.
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Grannys are always the wisest. Those sound like good additions!!
Great recipe thanks!
I also found some interesting information on red tea at redteabenefit.com
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Thank you James!
Great recipe! I have a question though. Do we use the petals or the calyx or both for the recipe?
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Thanks Nyssa! I only use the petals and remove the calyx.
That depends on the hibiscus. Roselle uses the calyx, while if you’re using tropical hibiscus, the petals.
Hibiscus tea should be completely avoided by pregnant women as it may induce premature labour. Otherwise, love the recipe!!
Ofcourse! And thats something I’ve mentioned in the post 🙂
Im 9 weeks pregnant and I asked my doctor about hibiscus tea because it’s my favorite thing and I’m craving it so much right now. She said the chances of it having negative effects on my pregnancy is doubtful. I am Safe to drink it. I thinking I’m just making a weak batch… thoughts? I’m healthy with zero complications
Hey Lindsay – congratulations on your pregnancy! I’d go with whatever your doctor recommends.
Very excited to try this! I also have a question though: do you chop the flower up before steeping? Or leave it whole (minus the bits and bobs you mentioned above)? Or maybe it doesn’t make a difference! 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
I just leave it whole Nadia. Because in the end you strain them out so why do the extra effort of chopping them?
Does it matter which color flower you use?
I’ve only come across red hibiscus. Do you have access to another colour?
Hibiscus flowers come in a variety of colors. The plants I have are an orange/yellow color similar to. I’m not sure that the flavor is different since I have only tried these orange flowers.
I didn’t have enough red flowers left for 2 cups so I’m mixing the white in. We shall see.
Maria says
Thank you so much for this hibiscus recipe.
Please I have a question
Please make me to understand is it the leave or the flowers we have to use for the tea
Hey Maria, we use the flower for this recipe.
where can i get hibiscus tea around South Africa?
I’m not sure. If you don’t have access to fresh hibiscus flowers, dried will also work.
Look for roselle or sorrel. It’ll be dried and deep red.
I’ve tried it for the first time cold its delicous and refreshing also I have high blood pressure which is so good for me will share reciepe with my friends that you😇🌼🌸🌸🌸
Thanks Norma!
Wow, hibiscus tea sounds interesting. I am so excited to try this. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful recipe. 🙂
Thank you so much Puja. I hope you like it!
i make this at home too..and its great. its also great with little vodka 😛
Wowsome. The tea looks so refreshing. Will try your this soon.
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