Hibiscus Tea Recipe (Karkade)

Hibiscus tea, or karkade as it’s known in Egypt, is a tart-meets-sweet herbal tea made from dried hibiscus flower petals. Skip the soda and cool off with this sweet, bright, and antioxidant-rich refresher instead!

What is Hibiscus Tea?

Hibiscus tea is a type of herbal tea made by steeping water with the dried petals of the hibiscus flower, called “hibiscus sabdariffa” or “roselle.” Versions are popular around the world, from Agua de Jamaica in Mexico to Bissap in West Africa. 

Where I’m from in Egypt, we call hibiscus tea ”kar-ka-deh.” I got my first taste of the deep red elixir on a trip to Old Cairo one sweltering summer with my family. The view of the “karkade man” roaming the narrow streets yelling “Karkade!” and offering people ice-cold glasses from a large carafe strapped to his waist is still as vivid as a photograph in my mind.

Consider this hibiscus tea recipe, Egypt’s thousand-year-old version of Southern sweet tea, only with less sugar and no caffeine. It’s sweet and tart but not too intense in either direction, and is heavenly on a hot day.

Iced Hibiscus Tea Ingredients

Hibiscus tea tastes and looks like cranberry juice, only it’s much lighter in body and less syrupy. That makes it not only incredibly refreshing but also very pretty—which never hurts! You likely have most of the ingredients on hand. If not, they’re all easy to find. To get started, you’ll need: 

• Filtered water: Filtered water ensures the best flavor.   
• Dried hibiscus flowers: Sometimes labeled “Flor de Jamaica,” you can easily find dried hibiscus flowers online. Or, look for them in the tea section of your grocery store.
• Sweetener: Hibiscus tea is very tart and slightly earthy on its own, so you need a sweetener to mellow the bite. Use any sweetener of your choosing. I use cane sugar for a classic sweet tea flavor or my favorite Greek honey to add a Mediterranean-style twist. Agave nectar would also work well. 
• Limes: A squeeze of lime juice adds a fresh brightness, and lime wheels make for a colorful garnish. You can use lemons if you prefer. 
• Fresh mint sprigs: A garnish of fresh mint sprigs gives this iced hibiscus tea an extra refreshing–and pretty–finish. 

How to Make Iced Hibiscus Tea

This hibiscus tea recipe is easy to double. If you have a big enough pitcher, you may want to make a big batch to enjoy all week long. Remember to adjust the sugar levels to your liking and give yourself a couple of hours to allow the tea to chill. Here are the steps: 

• Steep the tea and sweetener. In a medium saucepan, bring 6 cups of filtered water to a boil. Stir in 3/4 cup of dried hibiscus flowers and 1/4 to 1/2 of the sweetener of your choice. Boil for 3 minutes over high heat, then turn the heat off. Cover the pan and let the hibiscus steep for 20 to 30 minutes.
• Strain. Set a fine-mesh strainer over a heat-safe glass pitcher or bowl. Pour the tea through the strainer. Discard the hibiscus flowers and stir in the lime juice.
• Adjust to taste. Set aside to cool completely, then taste. If the tea is too concentrated or bitter, dilute it with a little more filtered water and sweetener. Remember not to dilute it too much, especially if you plan to serve it over ice. 
• Chill and serve. Transfer to the fridge and chill for a few hours. Store in your refrigerator for up to one week. When you’re ready to serve, ladle over iced-filled glasses. Garnish each glass with a lime wheel and a sprig of fresh mint. Cheers!

How to Make Hot Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus tea is also delicious hot. Like lemon ginger tea, its brightness can be very soothing, especially if you have a sore throat. To make hot hibiscus tea for one: 

• Boil 8 ounces (1 cup) of filtered water. Hibiscus tea should be steeped in water that’s just below boiling (about 200°F). 
• Steep 1 heaping tablespoon of dried hibiscus flowers for 5 minutes. You can use a tea infuser, or strain through a fine mesh strainer over your teacup afterward. 
• Adjust to taste. Add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice and a small spoon of honey to taste.  

Hibiscus Tea Benefits

Said to have been not just the thirst-quencher of pharaohs but also used as herbal medicine, hibiscus tea has been prized for its health benefits for thousands of years.

According to a meta-analysis published in the National Library of Medicine, clinical trials have shown, “H. sabdariffa [hibiscus tea is effective] in lowering both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.” It also has a fair amount of minerals, like potassium and magnesium.

Ways to Make this Recipe Your Own

Tweak this hibiscus tea recipe to your liking.

• Sweeten your way! Use your favorite sweetener and adjust the amount according to how sweet or puckery you like things. Or if sour is your vibe, skip the sweetener altogether.
• Spice it up! Steep the tea with orange zest, cinnamon, clove, or all three!
• Add bubbles! Pour a glass with half tea and half of your favorite carbonated water.
• Make it boozy! Like I say in my cookbook, you’re only a splash of tequila away from an Egyptian-style margarita. I’ll let you do what you want with that information! Vodka or gin would also be delicious.

Thirsty for More? Try These Refreshing Drinks Next!

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Peach Iced Tea with Mint and Honey

Egyptian

Mediterranean-Style Mint Lemonade (Limonada)

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Peach Lemonade

Greek

Freddo Espresso (Greek Iced Coffee)