This antioxidant-rich cold hibiscus tea is the perfect summer drink to enjoy as a healthy drink for weight loss and liver health. It is so easy to make this cold brew hibiscus tea with lemon and a touch of honey.
Hibiscus tea is a flavourful fruity tea deeply pigmented from the phytonutrients, and anthocyanins seeped from the dried hibiscus flowers. Drinking this cold hibiscus tea is excellent for weight loss and liver health. The anthocyanins in hibiscus tea are a potent liver-protective phytonutrient.
I’m not much of a tea drinker, but I must say I enjoy a warm cup of hibiscus tea before bed or this cold hibiscus tea during the day when it is hot. I currently live on the Gold Coast, where the summer is hot and humid. Lately, I have loved this cold hibiscus tea as we head into summer.
I started drinking this cold hibiscus tea when I found out my liver enzymes were slightly elevated. Extracts from hibiscus tea have been shown to reduce ALT and AST liver enzymes in rats. The liver always seems to be the organ of focus for me and why I love hibiscus tea. It tastes great and has many benefits for liver health.
The polyphenols in hibiscus tea also boost the body’s internal antioxidants enzymes to combat inflammation which is the root cause of many health conditions, including weight gain and insulin resistance.
I have always struggled with excess inflammation in my skin. After doing genetic testing, I discovered I have reduced superoxide dismutase and glutathione enzyme activity. These antioxidant enzymes are crucial for breaking down reactive oxygen species and hydrogen peroxide that cause tissue damage and inflammation.
The antioxidant boosting properties of hibiscus tea, including the SOD enzyme, is one of the reasons why I love this cold hibiscus tea. It tastes great and is healthy for you!
Anyone who wants to lose weight and reduce inflammation or improve liver health will benefit from this antioxidant-rich hibiscus tea.
How to make hibiscus tea from dried flowers
To make this hibiscus tea from dried flowers, you will need a nut milk bag, tea infuser, or a teapot with a compartment where you can put loose leaves.
I used a nut milk bag to hold the dried hibiscus flowers then merged them into a one-liter glass jar with boiled water. Let the hibiscus flowers steep in hot water for ten minutes. Remove the nut milk bag with hibiscus flowers from the water. Discard the used hibiscus and rinse the nut milk bag. It is that simple to make a hibiscus tea from dried flowers.
I wanted a rich, flavourful hibiscus tea, so I used ¼ cup dried hibiscus flowers steeped in 4 cups of boiling water to make 2-4 servings depending on how much tea you like to drink at one time.
You can also make hibiscus tea from dried flowers by placing the dried leaves into a tea infuser, then immerse the tea infuser in a cup of boiling water or teapot for ten minutes.
The best hibiscus tea for weight loss is steeped hibiscus flowers in hot water. Adding in honey tastes delicious and complements the hibiscus tea. However, it still is a source of sugar that is best in limited amounts, especially for anyone wanting to lose weight or maintain steady blood sugar levels.
How to make iced hibiscus tea
To make iced hibiscus tea:
- Steep the dried hibiscus flowers in a nut milk bag immersed in a 1-liter glass jar for 10 minutes.
- Remove the nut milk bag and used hibiscus flowers, then add in 1 tbsp of honey and freshly squeezed lemon juice from one lemon while the tea is still warm.
- Stir to dissolve the honey, then place in the fridge to cool.
Serve the cold hibiscus tea with a couple of ice cubes and enjoy.
I chose to use only a tiny amount of honey, but you can add more honey for a sweeter iced hibiscus tea.
For more refreshing drinks for weight loss, try this beet kvass and homemade electrolyte drink with lemons.
Cold Hibiscus Tea with Lemon and Honey
Equipment
- Nut milk bag
- glass jar
Ingredients
- ¼ cup dried hibiscus
- 1 lemon juiced
- 1 tbsp honey
- 4 cups water
Instructions
- Bring 4 cups of water to a boil then place in a 1 litre glass jar. Place dried hibiscus into a nut milk bag or tea infuser and place in the hot water.
- Let the hibiscus tea steep for 10 minutes then add in the honey and fresh squeezed lemon juice. Set in the fridge until cold.
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