Hibiscus Cinnamon Tea: Easy Cold-Steep Recipe

Hibiscus cinnamon tea is a tart, spiced infusion that takes 2 hours 5 minutes to prepare and makes about 1 liter (4¼ US cups).

For another combination, use the ai detox recipe generator. You can also explore more ideas for herbal detox tea.

What is hibiscus cinnamon tea?

Hibiscus cinnamon tea combines dried, edible hibiscus flowers with cinnamon bark and water. Hibiscus gives it a deep red color and tart flavor, while cinnamon adds warmth without requiring a sweetener.

This version is cold-steeped in the refrigerator. It is naturally caffeine-free when made with just hibiscus and cinnamon, though a packaged blend may contain other ingredients.

How do you make hibiscus cinnamon tea?

Prep time: 5 minutes
Refrigerator steep: 2 hours
Total time: 2 hours 5 minutes
Yield: About 1 liter (4¼ US cups)

Ingredients

• 1,000 mL water (about 4¼ US cups)
• 5 g dried, food-grade hibiscus flowers (about ¼ US cup loosely packed; volume varies with the cut)
• 1 cinnamon stick (about 3 g; roughly 1/48 US cup or 1 teaspoon when ground)

The cinnamon cup measure is an approximate equivalent for ground cinnamon; you do not need to grind the stick for this recipe.

Method

1. Place the dried hibiscus and cinnamon stick in a clean pitcher or jar.
2. Pour in the water and cover the container.
3. Refrigerate for 2 hours. For a stronger infusion, steep for up to 4 hours.
4. Strain the hibiscus cinnamon tea into a clean container, removing the flowers and cinnamon stick.
5. Serve cold, or return it to the refrigerator until you are ready to drink it.

Use dried hibiscus sold for food or tea, rather than ornamental flowers. Measure by weight if you can: loosely packed petals and finely cut hibiscus can take up different amounts of space in a cup.

Keep the finished hibiscus cinnamon tea refrigerated and drink it within 24 hours for the best flavor. Discard it after 2–3 days, or sooner if it becomes cloudy or slimy or develops an unexpected sour or off smell. Do not leave it at room temperature for more than a few hours.

<script type="application/ld+json"> {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Recipe","name":"Hibiscus Cinnamon Tea","description":"A cold-steeped infusion of dried hibiscus and cinnamon.","prepTime":"PT5M","totalTime":"PT2H5M","recipeYield":"About 1 liter (4¼ US cups)","recipeIngredient":["1,000 mL water (about 4¼ US cups)","5 g dried food-grade hibiscus flowers (about ¼ US cup loosely packed)","1 cinnamon stick (about 3 g; roughly 1/48 US cup or 1 teaspoon when ground)"],"recipeInstructions":[{"@type":"HowToStep","text":"Place the dried hibiscus and cinnamon stick in a clean pitcher or jar."},{"@type":"HowToStep","text":"Pour in the water and cover the container."},{"@type":"HowToStep","text":"Refrigerate for 2 hours, or up to 4 hours for a stronger infusion."},{"@type":"HowToStep","text":"Strain into a clean container, removing the flowers and cinnamon stick."},{"@type":"HowToStep","text":"Serve cold or refrigerate until ready to drink."}]} </script>

Does hibiscus cinnamon tea help with detox?

Hibiscus cinnamon tea can contribute fluid to your day, but there is no established evidence that this drink speeds up detoxification. Its red color and herbal ingredients do not make it a cleanse.

The liver and kidneys do most of the body’s detoxification. The lungs and gut also help eliminate waste, while sweat removes only trace amounts. Hydration supports normal body function, but it does not replace these organs’ work.

How much hibiscus cinnamon tea should you drink, and when?

There is no established amount of hibiscus cinnamon tea needed for detox or a proven best time to drink it. If you are trying it for the first time, start with a small serving to see how you tolerate the tart flavor and ingredients.

Enjoy it with a meal or between meals, according to your preference. You do not need to drink the whole pitcher at once, and unsweetened hibiscus cinnamon tea can be one of several ways you get fluids during the day.

What are the side effects of hibiscus cinnamon tea?

Hibiscus cinnamon tea may cause stomach discomfort for some people. Stop drinking it if it makes you feel unwell, and speak to a clinician if discomfort persists. Seek urgent medical help for signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat.

Ask a clinician before drinking it regularly if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have liver disease or low blood pressure, or take medicines for blood pressure or diabetes. Evidence about interactions and safe amounts is limited, so check with a child’s healthcare professional before serving it to a child. Do not stop prescribed medication because of a drink.

Cassia cinnamon contains coumarin, which can be a concern for the liver with frequent, substantial intake. If you make hibiscus cinnamon tea often, consider Ceylon cinnamon and avoid treating the infusion as a concentrated supplement.

Frequently asked questions

Can you reuse the cinnamon stick?

A used stick may add some flavor to another batch, but it will be weaker. For predictable flavor and storage, use a fresh stick for each pitcher.

Why does the color vary?

The amount and cut of the hibiscus, along with steeping time, can affect the color. A lighter color after 2 hours does not necessarily mean the infusion is unusable.