Karkadeh is a traditional Egyptian hibiscus tea infused with fresh mint and orange juice, served cold over ice with a bright tart flavor and striking ruby color. This version combines dried hibiscus flowers steeped in boiling water with citrus and herbs for a naturally refreshing beverage.
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Place the dried hibiscus flowers in a bowl and cover with water to give them a quick rinse. Immediately strain the flowers to avoid washing away too much flavor.
In a large pan, bring 1.5 liters of water to a boil.
Add the rinsed hibiscus flowers to the boiling water.
Add a handful of fresh mint and squeeze in the juice from one orange.
Reduce the heat to a simmer and let the mixture steep for 5-10 minutes.
Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl, pressing on the solids to extract all the liquid. Discard the solids.
While the hibiscus tea concentrate is still hot, add the sugar and stir until it is completely dissolved.
Allow the concentrate to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to the refrigerator to chill completely.
To serve, fill a glass or pitcher with orange slices, fresh mint leaves, and ice.
Pour in the chilled hibiscus concentrate, then dilute with cold water to your desired strength. The concentrate is strong, so start with a 1:1 ratio of concentrate to water and adjust to taste.
Stir or shake well to combine and serve immediately.
Store the brewed karkadeh concentrate in an airtight pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 5 days; dilute with water and serve over ice.
Fresh hibiscus flowers will produce a milder flavor and require more volume. Dried flowers are concentrated and traditional for karkadeh; use 3–4 times the fresh weight if substituting.
Store the brewed tea in an airtight pitcher for up to 5 days. The flavor becomes more concentrated over time; dilute with water as needed when serving.
Hibiscus tea is traditionally consumed in Egypt, but consult your healthcare provider before drinking regularly during pregnancy, as high doses may have uterotonic properties.
Yes. Hibiscus is naturally tart; adjust sweetness to taste using honey, agave, or skip sweetener entirely for an unsweetened version.
Both use the same brew method. Serve hot in winter or chilled over ice in summer; the flavor profile remains the same, only the temperature changes.
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