Hibiscus drink or Roselle Drink is an herbal beverage made from dried roselle flowers. It offers a beautiful crimson shade, comes with several health benefits, and is very easy to make. Refreshingly tart and sweet, this drink is great for summer, dinners, get-togethers, and parties.
Hibiscus Drink or Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus drink or hibiscus tea, known as Nam Krajeab or Nam Grajeab - น้ำกระเจี๊ยบ in Thai, is a refreshing herbal drink that is very popular among Thai people. It's made of the calyces of the roselle flowers which we grow here in Thailand. Roselle flowers are in a crimson shade and they lend this gorgeous color to the hibiscus drink. When it comes to taste, hibiscus tea on its own has a tart flavor, and this is normally rounded out with some sugar to make it sweet and sour and pleasant to drink.
Like What You See Here?
Be sure to check out my Butterfly Pea Tea Lemonade, Thai Milk Tea, Thai Pink Milk, Butterfly Pea Milk, Chrysanthemum Drink, and Japanese Plum Wine (Umeshu) recipes!
Where to Find Hibiscus Drink or Dried Roselle Flowers in Thailand
The Drink
In Thailand, you can find this drink on almost every street. It's usually a homemade version and either comes in bottles or sits it a large glass jar waiting to be transferred to a cup filled with ice. Also, you'll see it when you go shopping in markets, supermarkets or are eating at a small street vendor. These places are always HOT and nam krajeab, along with other Thai herbal drinks, is always there to quench your thirst.
If you come to Thailand and can't really find this on the streets, then fear NOT! You can always get this hibiscus tea in a carton from 7-ELEVEN or supermarkets. The carton version tastes good, but just know that it doesn't give you that homemade vibe. 🙂
Dried Roselle Flowers
You can buy dried roselle flowers at most local markets and supermarkets here in Thailand. At local markets, look for a shop that sells Asian sauces or dried herbs and other dried ingredients. In the supermarkets, go to the dried goods (such as beans and herbs) aisle. You should be able to get a good amount for about 1-1.5 bucks. In other countries, try an Asian grocery store or buy the roselle flowers online here.
A Great Non-Alcoholic Drink for Summer or Get Togethers
As the hibiscus drink is very easy to make and requires only three ingredients, it's one of those drinks that's perfect for summer, dinners, get-togethers or parties where you don't want any alcohol involved. Also, it's a budget-friendly drink so you can make a lot with a little. 😉
Hibiscus Tea Benefits
Being an herbal drink, hibiscus tea offers many health benefits, but here are some of the most prominent ones that you might want to know of:
- It may lower your blood pleasure.
- It helps keep your immune system healthy.
- It's full of antioxidants, which help fight free radicals - the beauty devils that can damage your skin.
- It may lower your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
- It's rich in vitamin C.
- It may improve your liver health or keep your liver healthy.
Ingredients
- 5 cups of water
- 10 dried hibiscus flowers
- ¾ cups of sugar (You can adapt the amount to suit your preference or diet. If you're going to have the drink with ice, this recipe is sweet enough.)
- Ice cubes
- Any green leaves you like for garnish
Instructions
- Bring the water and dried hibiscus flowers to a gentle boil.
- Add the sugar and stir to dissolve.
- Reduce the heat and let simmer for approximately 30 minutes (at the end, the flowers should be larger and soft).
- Strain the tea. You can discard the flowers, eat them, or keep them for garnish.
- Let the tea cool to room temperature. Then, chill in the refrigerator.
- Serve cold and in a glass filled with ice. Garnish as desired.
Serving and Storing Nam Grajeab
You can either serve this roselle drink hot or cold. As it's very hot in Thailand, we tend to enjoy this drink cold. And by cold, it can just mean the refrigerated or iced version. Although I have to say that iced hibiscus drink seems to be the way that people enjoy it the most here.
Related Recipes
📖 Recipe
Hibiscus Drink Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 cups water
- 10 dried hibiscus or roselle flowers
- ¾ cup sugar (You can adapt the amount to suit your preference or diet. If you're going to have the drink with ice, this recipe is sweet enough.)
- Ice cubes
- Any green leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Bring the water and dried hibiscus flowers to a gentle boil.
- Add the sugar and stir to dissolve.
- Reduce the heat and let simmer for approximately 30 minutes (at the end, the flowers should be larger and soft).
- Strain the tea. You can discard the flowers, eat them, or use them for garnish.
- Let the tea cool to room temperature, and then chill in the refrigerator.
- Serve cold and in a glass filled with ice. Garnish as desired.