Roselle Juice Recipe (น้ำกระเจี๊ยบ)
This roselle juice recipe is super refreshing, easy to make, and tastes amazing. It’s not only yummy, but also full of health benefits, making it the best drink for a sunny day.
Have you ever felt the intense heat of the Thai sun? Some days, it’s almost like a sauna! That’s exactly why Thai people love cooling down with iced refreshers like a honey and lime green Thai tea, tamarind iced tea, cha manao, and this roselle drink.
I remember when I was a kid, lots of people planted roselle plants (hibiscus sabdariffa) in their front gardens to make these refreshing drinks.
Back then, my grandmother used to make it for me during hot days. She took care of me until I was 5 before I moved to Belgium.
The other day, my hubby and I were walking in the rice fields, and we saw a roselle plant. It gave me the great idea to make this refreshing drink!
You can order dried roselle leaves at Amazon or ask around at Asian grocery stores to make this recipe.
What is roselle juice
Roselle juice is a refreshing, healthy drink made from roselle flowers. In Thailand, everyone loves it because it’s perfect for cooling down and staying hydrated, especially when it’s hot outside. Its flavor is cranberry-like, and it’s often sold sweetened.
Roselle juice has a tart, cranberry-like flavor with a flowery hint. Feel free to add more sugar to taste to make it as sweet as you like, and a pinch of salt brings everything together just right.
The Thai name for this drink is nam krajeab (น้ำกระเจี๊ยบ). Roselle flower juice can sometimes be found at street food markets, but it’s definitely not as common as a bubble tea. The good news is, it’s super easy to make at home!
Not only is this Thai drink perfect on a hot summer’s day, it also comes with lots of health benefits and things that are good for you and your body.
Roselle juice benefits
According to Rhymba Hills Tea, roselle is known for its numerous health benefits. It’s said to have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, aids digestion and weight loss, and helps relieve menstrual pain. Additionally, it’s believed to possess anti-cancer and antidepressant properties, and can even help soothe coughs and colds.
My grandmother says that Thai herbal teas are healthy. I don’t have any scientific proof to back up her claims, but should we really doubt the wisdom handed down from our elders?
Ingredients
Ingredients can be sourced at Asian grocery stores and Asian markets.
The exact measurements are in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Roselle flowers – They’re full of vitamins and give the juice a ruby-red color. You can order dried flowers at Amazon or other online suppliers. Alternatively, you might get lucky searching for them at Asian grocery stores.
- Brown sugar – Feel free to add more or less sugar to sweeten the drink to your taste.
- Water
- Salt
How to make roselle drink
Step 1: Wash the fresh roselle flowers and take out all the seeds.
Step 2: Heat water in a pot over medium heat until it boils, then add the flowers. Let them simmer for 15 minutes.
Step 3: Take the flowers out of the pot. Mix in salt and sugar with the juice until the sugar has dissolved, then turn off the heat.
Step 4: Chill your glass in the fridge before serving to cool it. To serve, fill a tall glass with cubed or crushed ice and then pour in the drink.
Kitchen tools
- Tall glasses for serving
- Pot for cooking
- Colander
Thai roselle drink recipe Variations
Sparkling roselle juice: Simply add some sparkling water for a bubbly variation of this drink.
Honey-sweetened: Substitute brown sugar with honey.
Roselle tea: Enjoy this versatile roselle beverage as a warm tea during the cold winter days.
Mint: Add fresh mint leaves for a fresh note.
Storing Thai herb drink
Store your drink in a glass bottle or jar to keep it fresh. Make sure it’s tightly sealed and keep it in the refrigerator. It’ll stay good for several days. You can also freeze some of the juice in ice cube trays. You’ll get roselle-flavored ice cubes to add to your drinks later!
Frequently asked questions
Where to buy roselle plants?
Roselle plants are usually available at exotic plant shops and online garden retailers.
What is roselle used for?
Roselle is traditionally used in herbal teas, natural dyes, and as a flavorful ingredient in various dishes and drinks.
Where can I find roselle flowers?
You can find roselle flowers at specialty ethnic food stores, online marketplaces, or at some local farmers’ markets.
Thai drink recipes
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Roselle Juice Recipe (น้ำกระเจี๊ยบ)
Ingredients
- 1 cup roselle flowers
- 34 fluid ounces water
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Wash the fresh roselle flowers and take out all the seeds.
- Heat water in a pot over medium heat until it boils, then add the flowers. Let them simmer for 15 minutes.
- Take the flowers out of the pot. Mix in salt and sugar with the juice until the sugar has dissolved, then turn off the heat.
- Chill your glass in the fridge before serving to cool it. To serve, fill a tall glass with cubed or crushed ice and then pour in the drink.
Notes
- Use the nutrition card in this recipe as a guideline.
- Enjoy this versatile roselle beverage as a warm tea during the cold winter days.
Aloha from Hawai’i. Thanks for this recipe for our fresh roselle flowers: so delicious!
For readers without access to either living plants or Asian grocery stores, dried roselle flowers can also be found in Hispanic groceries and sometimes in the Hispanic aisle of common mega-markets. They’re usually labeled as “hibiscus flowers” or “flor de jamaica” and are found either with the dried chiles or in the spice aisle. They’re great for Agua de Jamaica, too. Thank you for sharing your beautiful recipes!
Thank you so much for leaving this lovely comment! It will help my readers a lot!
I was lucky to have found a seller of plants, seeds and flowers. Thank you so much for this delicious drink recipe! Soon I’ll be picking my own for drink and pass the seeds and your recipe along to friends!
You’re more than welcome, Susan! I’m glad you enjoyed the roselle juice. Please do pass on this recipe!
i there, just wanted to mention, I liked
this post. It was practical. Keep on posting!
Thank you, Chia!
Such a great recipe! I’ve only had Roselle juice at my local health food store, but it’s so expensive! This homemade version seems way more affordable, and I bet it tastes even better with fresh ingredients. I appreciate the tip about adjusting the sweetness too—sometimes I find store-bought versions are too sugary. I’m definitely going to give this a try. Also, I didn’t realize it was good for lowering blood pressure and improving skin health—extra motivation to make it regularly. Thanks for sharing this gem!
Hey, thank you so much for your wonderful comment!