Active Time

　　5 minutes

　　Total Time

　　15 minutes, plus chilling time

　　

Ingredients

Makes about 7 cups

　　1 cup dried hibiscus flowers or 10 hibiscus tea bags

　　1/4 cup sugar or agave syrup

　　2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

　　

Step 1

Bring hibiscus, sugar, and 8 cups water to a boil in a large pot over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer 10 minutes. If using hibiscus flowers, strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl; discard solids. If using tea bags, discard bags, then transfer mixture to a large bowl. Chill until cold, at least 2 hours. Transfer to a pitcher, pouring slowly so any fine particles remain in bowl. Stir in lemon juice.

　　

Do Ahead

Step 2

Aqua fresca can be stored in an airtight container and chilled for up to 5 days.