icon-account icon-glass
FREE SHIPPING FOR ALL DOMESTIC ORDERS $75+. SHOP ALL

Recipes

Asha's Agua de Jamaica

Recipe by: Asha Loupy

Makes: 4 cups

Asha's Agua de Jamaica
Photo by:  

Melati Citrawireja

This highly sippable recipe is our ode to the classic Mexican Agua de Jamaica, using Manipuri-grown hibiscus and Sri Lankan cinnamon and cloves. When finding the perfect brew using the Naga Hills Hibiscus, I tested both cold and hot brewing the flowers. The latter was the clear winner — the heat coaxing out the barberry-like tartness from the flowers and soft, spicy warmth of the cinnamon and cloves. The sweetness is up to the tongue of the drinker. I like a couple tablespoons of sugar — just enough to soften the edges of sourness in the drink, but keep it super refreshing — but if you like it a little sweeter, go ahead and add more. My one tip is to start with two tablespoons and then work your way up a tablespoon of sugar at a time until you reach your desired sweet-sour balance.

This brew does not need to be diluted, just pour over ice and enjoy. But, if you want to be a little extra, my favorite way to drink Agua de Jamaica is shaking it with some ice in a cocktail shaker until it is super cold and forms this tangy, dreamy light pink foam, and then garnished with a lime wheel. If you're feeling like an icy libation, throw in a shot of tequila, mezcal, white rum, or vodka.

Check boxes to add ingredients to cart

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (20g) Naga Hills Hibiscus
  • One 3-inch Wild Cinnamon Quill
  • 2 to 4 whole Kandyan Cloves
  • 2 tablespoons to ⅓ cup granulated white sugar or sweetener of your choice (we love agave syrup and date sugar, too!)
  • Ice
  • Lime wheels, for garnishing (optional)

Methods

  1. Place the hibiscus, cinnamon quill, cloves, and 4 cups water in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce the heat to medium low, and simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, at least 2 hours (this will allow the hibiscus to fully steep and release all its tangy flavor).
  2. Strain into a jar, add desired amount of sweetener, and stir until your sweetener of choice is dissolved. Enjoy immediately over ice with a wheel of lime, or store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. For an extra frothy drink, add 1 cup of the agua de jamaica to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until the outside feels icy, about 30 seconds. Strain into a glass filled with more ice, garnish with a lime wheel, and enjoy!

Back In-Stock Notification

Add your email address below to receive an email as soon as this becomes available again.

We don't share your information with others.

SPEND MORE TO RECEIVE FREE SHIPPING
HOORAY! you get free shipping!

Cart empty.

You May Also Like:

The Diaspora Drinklet

The Diaspora Drinklet

Chai Masala

Chai Masala

Spice Spoon

Spice Spoon