Dried hibiscus leaves make a lovely, refreshing Agua De Jamaica or Hibiscus Tea in your Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker. It’s a perfect drink for Summer!
Hibiscus Tea | Agua De Jamaica
Did you know that pressure cooking dried hibiscus leaves make a lovely, refreshing Hibiscus Tea in your Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker? And it’s super easy to learn how to make Hibiscus tea in your Instant Pot!
Ever since I made the Instant Pot Horchata, I knew it was only a matter of time before I made Agua De Jamaica in the Instant Pot. My usual problem with Hibiscus Tea is that it can be a little acidic. But once I’d made Iced tea in the Instant Pot and realized how it reduced bitterness to make it that way, I was fairly sure this method would cut down on the acidity in the Jamaica as well–and sure enough, it did.
This recipe makes a very deep, red drink. I had to take it out in the sunshine so you could see any pink in it. Making this in the Instant Pot or pressure cooker gives it such a lovely, smooth taste.
The other advantage of pressure cooking was that straining it was a breeze. The petals sank to the bottom and all I had to do was pour carefully. I didn’t even need to strain really, which was nice.
What are the Benefits of Hibiscus Tea?
Well, people tell you all sorts of things about blood pressure reduction and blood sugar reduction. While I have not seen a whole range of scientific studies to support these assertions (just individual studies here and there), if you suffer from low blood sugar or low blood pressure, try not to drink more than 2 cups a day or so. Definitely don’t guzzle this whole pot, even though you will want to drink all the deliciousness.
Outside of that, it is said to help with liver health and help fight bacteria in the body. Further, it also is full of antioxidants which is a great benefit in general.
Does Hibiscus Tea Make You Sleepy?
It is said that hibiscus tea contains a certain level of melatonin which is linked to better sleep. Melatonin helps to calm the mind and relax the body which, in turn, usually makes a person sleepy. The Journal of Nutrition states that it could take up to three cups a day of hibiscus tea for it to work effectively for sleepiness and even blood pressure reduction.
Useful Information About This Recipe
First things first. Do not pronounce this like “Jamaica” as in the country. The “J” is pronounced as an “H” – “Hamaika.” I share this with you so that you don’t sound like a confused person in front of your Spanish friends.
If you want something Jamaican, try my chicken curry and rice with peas instead, or my Jamaican jerked chicken. 🙂
While it’s called a tea, it’s more accurately a tisane–made from steeping dried flowers. I won’t call it Tisane since I’m not a Victorian lady, but I do want you to know that little cultural tidbit about hibiscus tea.
So, what this means is that you must use dried hibiscus flowers for it. No point going to your yard in Florida, picking off a fresh hibiscus flower and then writing to me to complain how awful your tea was! Use THIS LINK to get the right flowers for this Hibiscus Tea.
Tips and Tricks on How to Make Hibiscus Tea
1. Use dried hibiscus flowers for this tea, which is actually a tisane.
2. If you do not have an Instant Pot, just brew this tea on the stovetop using the same recipe.
3. Feel free to substitute sugar or another sweetener for this recipe if you choose.
4. Add fresh lemon juice at the end for an amazing tang and zip to this drink.
5. Break up a cinnamon stick or use a few pieces of cassia bark for a great flavor in this hibiscus tea.
6. The tea will keep well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. So drink up!
Other Instant Pot Drinks Recipes
- Want to give my Instant Pot Instant Horchata a try? Like most things in the Instant Pot, it’s quite easy to make and it’s as delicious as the original yet with less sugar!
- And if you’re looking for more great tea recipes, check out my Instant Pot Iced Tea! It’s a classic iced sweet tea that’s made even better by your Instant Pot.
- Check out my post on 5 Refreshing Summer Drinks from Your Instant Pot!
Another fantastic beverage recipe is my Mexican Hot Chocolate! It’s deliciously sweet with just the right amount of heat!
So, if you’re looking for a deliciously refreshing drink for the spring, summer, or really anytime of year for that matter, make this delightful Hibiscus Tea. Simply brew the tea in the Instant Pot and serve it over ice for an unbelievably simple and refreshing beverage! If you have any questions about how to make Hibiscus Tea, feel free to ask in the comment section below!
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Ingredients
- 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers
- 64 ounce water (2 quarts)
- 1 cup Truvia or another sweetener
- 1/2 teaspoons minced ginger (optional)
- 1 stick cinnamon (optional)
- Lime juice to taste (optional)
- ice to serve
Instructions
- In the inner liner of your Instant Pot, add all ingredients except lime juice and ice.
- Cook at high pressure for 4 mins, allow 10 mins NPR and then release all pressure.
- The flowers will have settled to the bottom. Decant the liquid into a glass pitcher and when cool, add lime juice if you want a little more acidity.
- This is a semi-concentrate, so serve over ice.
Notes
2. If you do not have an Instant Pot, just brew this tea on the stovetop using the same recipe.
3. Feel free to substitute sugar or another sweetener for this recipe if you choose.
4. Add fresh lemon juice at the end for an amazing tang and zip to this drink.
5. Break up a cinnamon stick or use a few pieces of cassia bark for a great flavor in this hibiscus tea.
6. The tea will keep well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. So drink up!
Jon
Love the stuff. For the same amount of water I use 2 cups of dry hibiscus then use the concentrate to make both tea as well as to flavor plain nonfat yogurt. Don’t throw the spent flowers away!. Rinse and drain the flowers well to get rid of any grit. Sauté some onions and apples in a little butter or olive oil or both, season with reduced sodium Better than Bullion or just salt, then add the hibiscus and cook for a few minutes. I add a little sugar or erythritol to balance the tartness. It’s a delicious and healthy side dish.
URVASHI PITRE
oh wow! I hadn’t even thought of that side dish idea! Love it.
diana
We make a half-gallon of hibiscus tea two or three times a week and drink it straight or with a little squeeze of lime over ice and we love it that way. But this sounds like it would take it to the next level! My daughter has talked often of the Agua de Jamaica that she enjoyed when living in Central America, so I’m going to make this version for her next time she comes!
Linda Loftin
Delicious drink! I learned from my Mexican born son-in-law that this is extremely popular in Mexico. He said his mother made it three times a week when he was gorowing up. He just tasted this recipe and he said it tastes like like the drink his mother makes. It is a great recipe for the Instant Pot. Thank you!
Susan
Very good. It is also very good with some mango flavored rum.
URVASHI PITRE
Oh great idea!