How to Make Hibiscus Tea Properly
See how to brew hibiscus tea correctly to make the perfect cup of hot or iced hibiscus tea each and every time. See step-by-step guide with photos.
Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus tea is a drink made from steeping dried hibiscus flowers in water. The flower turns the water red and flavors it.
Hibiscus tea is an herbal tea and can be served hot and cold.
What is Hibiscus?
Hibiscus is a flower grown in regions with tropical temperatures.
The hibiscus plant is known for its large, bright colored flowers ranging from red to yellow.
RELATED: How to Make Herbal Tea Properly
Hibiscus Tea Formula
To make hibiscus tea perfect each and every time, hot or cold:
1 1/2 teaspoons of hibiscus for every cup of water (8 fl. oz.)
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.
My Hibiscus Tea Pick:
How Do You Pronounce Hibiscus?
Hibiscus is pronounced HIGH-BISS-KUSS.
You can also say HEE-BISS-KUSS but that’s the British English pronunciation.
What Does Hibiscus Tea Taste Like?
Hibiscus tea tastes like mild cranberry and it’s a little tart.
Is There Caffeine in Hibiscus Tea?
No, there is no caffeine in hibiscus tea. It’s great for kids and adults sensitive to caffeine.
Are There Any Calories in Hibiscus Tea?
Nope, none! Just hibiscus tea (no milk, no sugar) has no calories at all.
Is Hibiscus Tea a Real Tea?
No, hibiscus tea isn’t a real tea in that it doesn’t come from the camellia sinensis plant. Only tea that comes from the camellia sinensis is real tea.
Hibiscus comes from the hibiscus plant, not from camellia sinensis and is considered a tisane, which is drink made from herbs, spices, and other plant materials.
RELATED: 30 Refreshing Iced Tea Recipes
What are the Health Benefits of Hibiscus Tea?
- Lots of antioxidants
Antioxidants are nutrients and may help in preventing cell damage. Foods rich in antioxidants, like hibiscus tea, can help your immune system. - Could help with losing weight and aid in digestion
Hibiscus is a natural diuretic so it’ll aid in getting rid of water and salt from your body. - High in iron
Iron is a mineral that helps your immune system.
As with anything, drink hibiscus tea in moderation since consuming too much can do more harm than good. There isn’t any hard evidence that hibiscus has any significant health benefits. Pregnant women should avoid drinking hibiscus tea.
Free Quick Cold Brew Tea Guide
Join my free email list to get the cold brew tea cheat sheet!
Hibiscus Tea Bags vs Loose
Loose tea is higher quality and you can see the actual shape of the leaf. (In this case, the shape of the hibiscus flower.)
Tea bags contain small parts of the tea leaves or flowers and are of lower quality.
My rule of thumb when it comes to any kind of tea is: use tea bags when I’m using it in a recipe with other ingredients other than water, and use loose tea for when it’s to be made only with water.
For iced hibiscus, make it cold brewed! It’s my recommendation to cold brew when making any tea or herbal tea iced.
What I Use to Make Hibiscus Tea
- Hibiscus tea (Hibiscus tea bags)
- Filtered or bottled water
- Glass teapot for hot tea
I like to use a glass teapot for herbal tea so you can see the pretty colors and flowers. - Gooseneck electric kettle
A must for all tea drinkers. I never heat water on the stove anymore.
How to Make Hibiscus Tea Properly
STEP 1: Boil water.
The better the water tastes, the better the tea tastes so go for filtered water if you can.
I use an electric kettle with a temperature setting and set the water to 208°F.
Make sure to boil more water than needed for the cup so that you can use it to warm up the teapot.
STEP 2: Warm up teapot.
Pour some hot water into the teapot and swirl it around a bit to warm it up. Discard the water.
Warming up the teapot helps to brew the tea properly, keeping the water temperature hot.
RELATED: How to Make Tea Properly
STEP 3: Put hibiscus tea into teapot and add hot water.
The formula is 1 1/2 teaspoons of hibiscus tea to 1 cup of water.
If you want to make a stronger brew, put in 2 teaspoons of hibiscus tea.
STEP 4: Cover teapot and steep for 5 minutes.
Herbal teas usually steep for about 5 minutes. Hibiscus is pretty forgiving so don’t worry if you steep it for 8 minutes instead of 5.
The thing with herbal tea is that they don’t really get bitter like black tea will if you steep it for too long.
RELATED: Quick and Easy Ginger Tea from Scratch
STEP 4: Strain hibiscus flowers and pour hot tea into a teacup.
You can add sugar or honey to sweeten your cup of tea.
PRO TIP: When pouring from a teapot, always put a finger on the teapot lid.
RELATED: How to Make Rooibos Tea Properly
How to Make Iced Hibiscus Tea Properly
Cold brewing makes for the best iced tea! It’s super easy and delicious.
STEP 1: Put hibiscus tea and water in a pitcher or glass container.
Use cool or room temperature water. Hot water isn’t a part of the cold brewing process.
Same as for making hot tea, use filtered water if you can.
STEP 2: Cover pitcher and put in refrigerator for at least 12 hours.
You can steep it for as long as 24 hours.
RELATED: How to Make Chamomile Tea Properly
STEP 3: Strain out hibiscus solids and pour tea into cup with ice.
Look at that gorgeous red!
Hibiscus Tea Tips
- Use loose hibiscus instead of tea bags.
- You can also find good quality hibiscus in herbal or health stores.
- If you want to sweeten your hibiscus tea, use simple syrup (half water, half sugar). It’ll be the easiest to incorporate into your tea.
Recipe with Hibiscus
Frozen Pink Tea Latte
A pretty pink frozen drink made with fresh strawberries, green tea, hibiscus, and edible rose buds.
Hibiscus Tea
How to make hibiscus tea properly.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 teaspoons hibiscus tea
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Boil water.
If using an electric kettle with temperature setting, set it to 208°F. Boil a little more water than needed so that it can be used to warm up the teapot.
(Filtered water is best.) - Warm up teapot.
Pour some hot water into the teapot and swirl it around a bit to warm it up. Discard the water. - Put hibiscus tea into teapot and add hot water.
- Cover teapot and steep for 5 minutes.
- Strain hibiscus flowers and pour hot tea into a teacup.
Notes
How to make cold brewed hibiscus tea:
- Put hibiscus and cool or room temperature water in a pitcher or glass container. (Filtered water is best.)
- Cover pitcher and put in refrigerator for at least 12 hours.
- Strain out hibiscus solids and pour tea into cup with ice.
If you want to sweeten your hibiscus tea, use simple syrup (half water, half sugar). It'll be the easiest way to incorporate into your tea.
This is an wonderful hibiscus tea and it looks soo delicious…i will make cold hibiscus tea tomorrow’s morning..thanks for sharing….!
What a lovely article! I must say that I have recently re-discovered my love hibiscus, after having tried it in loose leaf form. I just feel like it tastes much more mild and sweet than the tart tea bag version.
Also, can I just say your recipes and your photos are absolutely gorgeous! Big fan!
Tatjana from https://teapro.co.uk/
Thanks so much, Tatjana!
Thank you for posting this – I made it today with fresh flowers, and it turned out fantastic. Such a beautiful color too!