Homemade Hibiscus Syrup with an Easy Hibiscus Lemonade Recipe

This homemade hibiscus syrup is so simple, and it’s paired with an easy Hibiscus lemonade recipe. The syrup is made by simmering strong hibiscus tea with sugar until the liquid turns a deep, ruby red. The result is a beautiful floral and tangy syrup, with rich color and flavor. The syrup is mixed with freshly squeezed lemon juice and water, and becomes a refreshing hibiscus lemonade, combining the tartness of lemons with the delicate floral notes of hibiscus. Perfect for hot summer days, this drink offers a delightful twist on a classic lemonade. 

this Recipe

It’s August and the heat is on here in Texas. So I’m drinking plenty of cool and refreshing beverages. This is one of my favorites, because I love hibiscus tea and I love lemonade and when the both of them come together the flavor is absolutely amazing.

If you enjoy fruit infused beverages, try our Strawberry Infused Lemonade and Sparking Strawberry Shrub.

Why Drink Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus tea is made from the dried petals of the hibiscus flower and it offers a range of potential health benefits.

• Rich in Antioxidants: Hibiscus tea is high in antioxidants, which help combat oxidative stress and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
• Lowers Blood Pressure: Several studies suggest that drinking hibiscus tea can help lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, particularly in people with mild hypertension.
• Supports Heart Health: By helping to manage blood pressure and cholesterol levels, hibiscus tea can contribute to overall cardiovascular health.
• Aids Digestion: The tea has mild diuretic properties and may help improve digestion and reduce bloating.
• Anti-inflammatory Properties: The antioxidants in hibiscus tea also have anti-inflammatory effects, which can help reduce inflammation in the body.
• Weight Management: Some studies indicate that hibiscus tea can help with weight management by reducing body fat and improving metabolic health.
• Boosts Immune System: Hibiscus is rich in vitamin C, which is essential for a healthy immune system.
• Liver Health: There is some evidence that hibiscus tea may promote liver health by helping to detoxify the liver and improve its function.
• Antibacterial Properties: Certain compounds in hibiscus have antibacterial properties that can help fight off infections.
• Skin Health: The antioxidants and vitamins in hibiscus tea can help promote healthy skin by reducing signs of aging and improving skin elasticity.

Ingredients You Need To Make Homemade Hibiscus Syrup

• Loose leaf hibiscus petals or bag tea
• fresh water
• sugar

Ingredients You Need To Make Hibiscus Lemonade

• Hibiscus tea syrup
• lemon juice
• fresh water
• lemon slices
• fresh mint leaves

Other Ways To Use Homemade Hibiscus Syrup

• Mix with boiling water for a quick hot tea
• Over fresh fruit
• Over yogurt
• Over ice cream or sorbet

See recipe card for quantities.

How To Make Homemade Hibiscus Syrup

Boil water

Bring fresh water to a boil using an electric or stove-top kettle, or pot on the stove if you don’t have a kettle.

Steep tea

Place tea leaves or bags in a French press, tea pot or large heat proof bowl or pan. Pour the boiling water over the tea, cover and steep for 4-5 minutes.

Combine tea with sugar and simmer

Pour steeped tea into a saucepan and add 2 cups of sugar and stir to combine. Simmer gently until tea thickens into a syrupy consistency, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.

Store syrup until ready to use

Transfer syrup to an airtight glass jar or pitcher. Store in the fridge to have on hand to make fast and easy drinks, dessert, or pour over fruit for a tasty snack.

Recipe Top Tip for Homemade Hibiscus Syrup

Make a Strong Tea Make your hibiscus tea strong to capture the rich, deep flavor of the tea.

How To Make Hibiscus Lemonade

Mix lemon juice and water

In a pitcher, mix the lemon juice with water.

Add in the hibiscus syrup

Stir in your homemade hibiscus syrup. Adjust the sweetness to your liking by adding more syrup as needed.

How To Serve

Serve your hibiscus lemonade over ice, and garnish with lemon slices and a sprig of mint.

If you like you can freeze some of your hibiscus lemonade in an ice tray and use it in place of plain water ice cubes. This prevents your lemonade from being watered down.

Substitutions and Variations

Sugar For a deeper flavor, use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar when maker your hibiscus syrup.

Omit the sugar Instead of sugar you can use honey, agave nectar, or any sugar substitute of your choice.

Make It Sparkling When making your lemonade use sparkling water instead of plain water.

Fruit You can add other fruit such as strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries to your lemonade.

Cocktail You can add gin or vodka to turn your hibiscus lemonade into a refreshing cocktail.

How To Store Leftovers

Hibiscus Syrup Store your hibiscus syrup to an airtight glass jar or pitcher in your fridge until ready to use.

Lemonade Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

FAQ

Homemade Hibiscus Syrup with an Easy Hibiscus Lemonade Recipe

Print Recipe

This homemade hibiscus syrup is simple, and it’s paired with an easy Hibiscus lemonade recipe. The syrup is made by simmering strong hibiscus tea with sugar until the liquid turns a deep, ruby red. The result is a beautiful floral and tangy syrup, with rich color and flavor. The syrup is mixed with freshly squeezed lemon juice and water, and becomes a refreshing hibiscus lemonade, combining the tartness of lemons with the delicate floral notes of hibiscus. Perfect for hot summer days, this drink offers a delightful twist on a classic lemonade. 

 

Course Beverage

Cuisine American

Keyword Hibiscus syrup, simple syrup, tea

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Servings 6 -8 servings

Author Celeste

Ingredients

Hibiscus Syrup

• 2 ½ cups fresh water
• 2 tablespoons hibiscus flowers or 4-5 hibiscus tea bags
• 2 cups sugar

Hibiscus Lemonade

• 1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice about 5-6 medium lemons
• 4 cups fresh water
• ¼ cup hibiscus syrup add more as needed to suit your taste

Instructions

Hibiscus Syrup

• Boil Water Bring fresh water to a boil using an electric or stove-top kettle, or pot on the stove if you don’t have a kettle.
• Steep Tea Place tea leaves or bags in a French press, tea pot or large heat proof bowl or pan. Pour the boiling water over the tea, cover and steep for 4-5 minutes.
• Combine tea with sugar and simmer Pour steeped tea into a saucepan and add 2 cups of sugar and stir to combine. Simmer gently until tea thickens into a syrupy consistency, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.
• Store syrup until ready to use Transfer syrup to an airtight glass jar or pitcher. Store in the fridge to have on hand to make fast and easy drinks, dessert, or pour over fruit for a tasty snack.

Hibiscus Lemonade

• Mix lemon juice and water  In a pitcher, mix the lemon juice with water.
• Add Hibiscus syrup Stir in your homemade hibiscus syrup. Adjust the sweetness to your liking by adding more syrup as needed.
• Serve Serve your hibiscus lemonade over ice, and garnish with lemon slices and a sprig of mint.

Notes

Make a Strong Tea Make your hibiscus tea strong to capture the rich, deep flavor of the tea.

 

Serve Chilled For the best flavor, chill your hibiscus lemonade in the refrigerator before serving.