Hibiscus Tea With Honey: Tart, Ruby-Red and Refreshing
Hibiscus tea with honey is a vibrant drink enjoyed across the world, from agua de jamaica in Mexico to karkade in Egypt and sorrel in the Caribbean. Dried hibiscus calyces make a deep ruby tea with a tart, cranberry-like taste, and honey balances that tartness beautifully. Hibiscus has also been studied for blood pressure. This article explains how to brew hibiscus tea with honey, what research found, safety notes and serving ideas. For other herbal teas, see rooibos tea with honey.
For general education only, not medical advice. Our honey is a food and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
What hibiscus tea is
Hibiscus tea is made from the dried calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa, also called roselle. These fleshy red parts surround the flower's seed pod. The tea is naturally caffeine-free, tart and rich in color.
It is a traditional drink in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, West Africa, Egypt and Sudan.
What research says
A 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis in Nutrition Reviews, The effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa on blood pressure and cardiometabolic markers, pooled 17 randomized trials. Hibiscus was linked with a reduction of about 7 points in systolic blood pressure, while the effect on diastolic pressure was not statistically significant.
The authors noted very high variation between studies and a moderate risk of bias, and called for larger, longer trials to establish dose and duration.
| Finding | Detail |
|---|---|
| Trials included | 17 randomized trials |
| Systolic blood pressure | About 7 mmHg lower on average |
| Diastolic blood pressure | Not statistically significant |
| Caveats | High variation, small trials, moderate bias risk |
How to brew hibiscus tea with honey
Use one to two teaspoons of dried hibiscus per cup. Pour over boiling water and steep for five to ten minutes, depending on how strong you like it. Strain, let cool slightly, and stir in a teaspoon or two of honey.
Hibiscus is tart, so you may want a little more honey than with other teas, but taste first.
- 1 to 2 teaspoons dried hibiscus per cup
- Boiling water
- Steep 5 to 10 minutes
- Strain and cool slightly
- Sweeten with honey to taste
Iced hibiscus tea with honey
Brew a strong pot using a half cup of dried hibiscus to four cups of water. While still warm, stir in honey to taste so it dissolves. Chill, then serve over ice with lime, mint or orange slices. Add sparkling water for a fizzy version.
Our article on honey iced tea has more ideas.
Flavor additions
Hibiscus pairs well with cinnamon, ginger, cloves, lime and orange peel. Caribbean sorrel is spiced with ginger and cloves for the holidays. A cinnamon stick in the pot makes a cozy winter version.
Safety notes
Because hibiscus may lower blood pressure, people taking blood pressure medicines should ask their doctor before drinking it daily. Hibiscus may also interact with some other medicines.
Pregnant people are often advised to avoid large amounts of hibiscus, since safety data are limited. Never give honey to babies under 12 months.
Not a replacement for treatment
If you have high blood pressure, follow your doctor's plan. Our article on honey and blood pressure explains that honey itself does not lower blood pressure, and lifestyle changes and medicine remain the core of treatment.
Teeth and acidity
Hibiscus tea is acidic, and sweetened with honey it combines acid and sugar. Drink it with meals or through a straw, and rinse with water afterward to protect tooth enamel.
Choosing a honey
Floral honeys like orange blossom brighten hibiscus's fruitiness. Wildflower adds depth. Buckwheat can be too strong, but some like its malty contrast in spiced winter versions.
How much honey
A teaspoon per cup adds about 21 calories. If you drink several glasses of iced hibiscus a day, sweetness adds up quickly. Keep honey within added sugar limits of about 25 grams a day for most women and 36 for most men.
Buying and storing hibiscus
Look for whole, deep red dried calyces in Latin, Caribbean or Middle Eastern markets. Store in an airtight jar away from light. They keep for about a year.
Hibiscus in cooking
Hibiscus syrup made with honey can flavor cocktails, sorbet, glazes and salad dressings. The rehydrated calyces can even be used in tacos or jams in Mexican cooking.
The takeaway
Hibiscus tea with honey is a tart, refreshing drink with some interesting blood pressure research. Enjoy it hot or iced, keep honey modest, and check with your doctor if you take blood pressure medicine.
Hibiscus traditions around the world
In Mexico, agua de jamaica is a chilled hibiscus drink sold at taquerias and markets. In Egypt and Sudan, karkade is served hot in winter and iced in summer, and it is a traditional drink at celebrations. In Jamaica and Trinidad, sorrel is brewed with ginger and spices for Christmas. In West Africa, bissap or zobo is flavored with pineapple, mint or ginger.
Each tradition sweetens the tart tea in its own way. Honey is a natural fit for all of them.
Hibiscus tea with honey and ginger
Simmer a few slices of fresh ginger in water for five minutes, then add dried hibiscus and steep off the heat for another five. Strain and add honey. The warmth of ginger balances hibiscus's tartness. Our article on honey and ginger has more ideas.
Honey for your hibiscus
Al Safa's raw honeys are never heated above hive temperature and dissolve easily into warm hibiscus tea.
Find a jar in our shop.
Sources
Outside health sources we used for this article. They open in a new tab.
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa on blood pressure and cardiometabolic markers · Nutrition Reviews (White Rose Research Online)
- How much sugar is too much? · American Heart Association
- Honey (drugs and supplements) · Mayo Clinic
Frequently asked questions
- Does hibiscus tea lower blood pressure?
- A 2021 meta-analysis found a modest drop in systolic pressure, but studies varied widely.
- How do I make hibiscus tea with honey?
- Steep dried hibiscus in boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes, strain and add honey.
- Is hibiscus tea safe with blood pressure medicine?
- Ask your doctor first, since it may add to the effect.
- Is hibiscus tea caffeine-free?
- Yes.
- Can I make iced hibiscus tea with honey?
- Yes. Dissolve honey in the warm tea, then chill.
- Is hibiscus tea safe in pregnancy?
- Safety data are limited. Ask your provider.
- Which honey goes with hibiscus?
- Floral honeys like orange blossom or wildflower.
Al Safa Honey is a food producer, not a medical provider. Nothing here is medical advice, and these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Talk to your doctor about any health concern. Never give honey of any kind to a baby under 12 months old.