Imagine sipping a drink that feels like a cool breeze on a scorching day—yep, that’s agua de jamaica for you. It’s like the summer fling of beverages: a little sweet, a little tangy, and utterly unforgettable. I stumbled upon this gem during a sweltering afternoon at a local festival, and let me tell you, it was love at first sip.
Steps
- Boil 6 cups of water in a large saucepan. Add hibiscus petals, a cinnamon stick, ground cloves, nutmeg, and allspice to the water. Lower the heat to medium-low and let it simmer gently for 30 to 45 minutes until the water turns a deep red.
- Add chopped piloncillo to the hibiscus mixture and stir until dissolved. Allow the mixture to cool for about 15 minutes. Strain the liquid into a 1-gallon pitcher using a wire mesh strainer, pressing the petals to extract as much liquid as possible before discarding them.
- Mix in the white sugar until it is fully dissolved. Add enough cold water to the pitcher to fill it. You can serve the drink immediately or let it sit overnight for enhanced flavor.
Ingredients
- 6 cups of water
- 2 cups of dried hibiscus petals
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 pinch of ground cloves
- 1 pinch of ground nutmeg
- 1 pinch of ground allspice
- ½ cup of chopped piloncillo (Mexican brown sugar cones)
- 1 ½ cups of white sugar
Nutritional Values
Calories: 1,552 | Sodium: 48mg | Total Carbohydrate: 400g | Dietary Fiber: 0g | Total Sugars: 400g | Vitamin C: N/A | Calcium: 96mg | Potassium: 64mg
FAQ
- Can I use a substitute for piloncillo in the recipe?
- Yes, if piloncillo is not available, you can use white sugar as directed and adjust the sweetness with brown sugar or additional white sugar to your liking.
- Is it possible to adjust the sweetness of Agua de Jamaica?
- Absolutely! You can modify the amount of sugar to suit your taste. You may use more or less sugar depending on how sweet or tart you prefer the drink to be.
- How should I store Agua de Jamaica once it is made?
- After preparing the drink, you can serve it immediately or let it stand overnight for enhanced flavor. If you have leftovers, store them in the refrigerator.
- What should I do if I find the drink too tart?
- If the drink is too tart for your liking, you can balance it by adding more sugar or diluting it with additional water until you achieve the desired taste.
- Can I experiment with different spices in this recipe?
- Yes, feel free to try different spices based on your preference. Some variations include using whole cloves instead of ground or adding ginger for an extra kick.
Tips
- If you can’t find piloncillo, substitute with brown sugar or simply adjust the amount of white sugar to your liking for sweetness.
- For a more robust flavor, consider using whole spices such as whole cloves and larger cinnamon sticks instead of ground versions.
- If you desire a stronger hibiscus flavor, avoid adding additional water at the end. Serve the concentrated drink and allow guests to dilute it to their preference.
- For an icy twist, blend the prepared hibiscus tea with ice to create a refreshing slushy beverage.
Equipment
- Large Saucepan: If you don’t already have a large saucepan for boiling water and simmering the ingredients.
- Wire Mesh Strainer: Needed to strain the hibiscus petals and spices from the liquid.
- 1 Gallon Pitcher: For storing and serving the hibiscus tea.
