You can buy hibiscus tea in ready-to-drink bags or loose leaf tea. If you prefer a richer and more aromatic tea drink, consider buying hibiscus leaf tea in bulk. Using loose leaf tea allows you to add more tea to the tea strainer for a more concentrated drink.

If you prefer a lighter tea, steep the hibiscus for a few minutes. For a stronger tea, brew hibiscus leaf tea and hibiscus tea bags for 10-15 minutes.

Registered dietitian Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LD recommends making a large batch of hibiscus tea and storing it in the refrigerator to enjoy throughout the day.

Most traditional methods of making hibiscus tea, such as Egyptian karkadeh, a hibiscus tea drink made with sugar, are sweetened. However, you can enjoy hibiscus tea unsweetened or with a squeeze of lemon or lime. Sugar alternatives such as monk fruit can also be used to combat the tart taste of hibiscus tea.

Be aware that if you use a lot of sweetener in your tea, it can reduce the benefits of hibiscus tea. “Of course, we have to consider what we’re adding to our tea when we assume we’re going to benefit from that comforting sip. Adding a lot of added sugar can counteract some of these health goals,” says Manaker. For example, while regular consumption of unsweetened hibiscus tea may promote heart health, a diet high in sugar has been shown to negatively affect heart health15 by increasing blood lipids and body fat.