Carrageenan Free Hibiscus Tea (Agua de Jamaica)
Tart, floral, and strikingly crimson, this agua de Jamaica is one of those drinks that looks as impressive as it tastes. Dried hibiscus flowers, a cinnamon stick, and a little sugar are all it takes to build a concentrate that's bold, fragrant, and endlessly refreshing over ice. For anyone avoiding carrageenan — a thickener and stabilizer that sneaks into a surprising number of bottled teas, juice drinks, and flavored waters — making this from scratch is the obvious move. Every ingredient here is exactly what it looks like: no additives, no stabilizers, nothing hiding in a label. The cinnamon adds a subtle warmth that plays beautifully against the hibiscus's natural tartness, and a squeeze of lime at the end ties the whole thing together. You simmer, strain, dilute, and chill — it's genuinely simple, and the result tastes like something you'd pay too much for at a café. Keep a pitcher in the fridge and you'll reach for it all week.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers (flor de jamaica)
- ½ cup granulated sugar, or more to taste
- 1 cinnamon stick
For the concentrate
- 4 cups water
For diluting
- 2 cups cold water, for diluting
For serving
- ice, for serving
- lime wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the dried hibiscus flowers, 4 cups water, sugar, and cinnamon stick in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring once or twice until the sugar dissolves.
- 2
Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 8–10 minutes, until the liquid is deeply colored and fragrant.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!