This Hibiscus Simple Syrup has a beautiful sweet-tart balance, and can be used in so many delicious mocktails and cocktails.
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Simple syrup is so easy to make—once you start making it, you will want to continue with more and more flavors. Maybe try our Lavender Simple Syrup or our Strawberry Simple Syrup next!
Why Make This Recipe
- Delicious Flavor: Hibiscus has a tart flavor somewhat similar to cranberries—when combined with sugar, you get a lovely, fruity, sweet/sour flavor that you’ll want to use in all your drinks!
- Make in Advance: Make this syrup and store in the refrigerator, so you can easily whip up a delicious cocktail like this Hibiscus Margarita or mocktail in no time!
- Makes Stunning Drinks: The deep magenta color of this simple syrup makes both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks shine.
🥗 Ingredients
- Dried Hibiscus Flowers: Hibiscus is a tropical flower that is dried for use in tea and other beverages. You can find it in packages of dried flowers or prepackaged in tea bags.
- Sugar: I use regular granulated sugar for this syrup, though you could also use a light brown sugar, agave nectar, or honey.
🥣 Step-by-Step Instructions
Combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a saucepan over medium heat.
Heat up mixture, stirring frequently to dissolve sugar.
When sugar has dissolved and mixture is starting to bubble around the edges, stir in ¼ cup dried hibiscus flowers and turn off the heat.
Let sit for 15 minutes, then strain into a measuring cup.
After it cools, pour into a jar or swing-top bottle, and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
🧐 Recipe FAQs for Hibiscus Simple Syrup
You can often find dried hibiscus in the grocery store, in the tea section. Sometimes those teas are a bit powdery though, so we prefer to buy whole dried hibiscus flowers at specialty food stores or online—this is our favorite hibiscus brand on Amazon.
Hibiscus flowers do not include caffeine, so anything you might make from the flowers will not include caffeine either. That includes both tea, and this simple syrup.
Hibiscus includes vitamin C and other antioxidants as well. Some studies show a link between drinking hibiscus tea and lower blood pressure. Other studies are researching the effect of hibiscus on the lowering of cholesterol and improving liver health. That said, the research is not conclusive. However, avoid hibiscus if you are allergic to mallow plants, taking blood pressure medication, or are pregnant.
Yes you can! If you have hibiscus tea bags, heat up a cup of water until it starts to boil. Then turn off the heat, and put in 2-3 tea bags. Let steep for 5-10 minutes. Then remove the tea bags, and put the pan back on the stove. Bring it back to a simmer and add 1 cup of sugar. Stir until sugar dissolves, then remove from the heat and cool. Store in the fridge just like with this hibiscus simple syrup recipe.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
Be careful not to oversteep your syrup. If you continue to boil the syrup after the hibiscus flowers have been added, or you let the flowers steep for 30 minutes or more, you might find that your syrup has a slightly bitter flavor.
If you want to deep dive into making simple syrup, don't miss this Simple Syrup post from Feast and West. Once you have the method down, get creative by adding spices. Add whole cinnamon sticks and cloves, dried or fresh ginger, or even a vanilla bean to your sugar mixture. Keep them in the syrup until you strain it.
Or play with different flavors and make this Lavender Simple Syrup or this Strawberry Lemonade Syrup. You might also enjoy this simple but tasty Lemon Lime Simple Syrup that is fantastic drizzled into your sparkling water. This Rosemary Simple Syrup is also lovely in lemonade or a cocktail.
Now that you have your simple syrup, what to do with it? How about making a mocktail by adding a tablespoon of hibiscus simple syrup to a highball glass filled with ice and sparkling water. Add in a sprig of mint or thyme or a lime wedge for extra flavor. Or, add the syrup to lemonade, apple cider, or iced tea. You can also freeze it in ice cube trays to add to your drinks.
As for cocktails, you can use this hibiscus simple syrup anywhere you would usually add regular simple syrup. Try it in a Hibiscus Margarita, a mojito, or add a splash to a gin and tonic. Or, add a tablespoon of syrup to a champagne coupe glass, then fill up with prosecco or champagne for a super-easy champagne cocktail.
Hibiscus syrup makes a great holiday gift or hostess gift, if you’ve packaged it in cute jars. Add a tag with a hibiscus cocktail recipe on it for bonus points! You can also use hibiscus simple syrup to flavor cake frosting or buttercream, or use it to add moisture and flavor to the layers of a layer cake (paint on the top of each layer).
But what about the hibiscus flowers themselves? If you have extra, you might use them in a few creative ways:
- make tea
- infuse hard alcohol, such as white rum
- blend with sugar to make hibiscus sugar: the sugar will become fine and powdery as you blend, and will turn a lovely pinkish-purple color. Add some while you’re whipping cream, or use it to rim the glass of your favorite fruity cocktail.
Favorite Cocktail Recipes
We love hibiscus cocktails, but TBH love cocktails of all kinds! Here are a few favorites:
If you try this Hibiscus Simple Syrup recipe, I would love to hear from you! Please rate this recipe and leave a comment below—your feedback is invaluable to me.
And please follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook or subscribe to my newsletter. I'd love to inspire you with more delicious, healthy, and seasonal recipes!
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Hibiscus Simple Syrup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup dried hibiscus flowers
Instructions
- Combine sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Heat up mixture, stirring frequently to dissolve sugar.
- When sugar has dissolved and mixture is starting to bubble around the edges, stir in the hibiscus flowers and turn off the heat.
- Let sit for 15 minutes, then strain into a measuring cup.
- After it cools, pour into a jar or swing-top bottle, and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
Nutrition
Instagram Users: Now that you've made this recipe, tag me @vanillabeancuisine or #vanillabeancuisine because I'd love to see your results!
More About Molly
Cooking healthy(ish) meals with seasonal ingredients is my passion. Trained as a French pastry chef, I spent over 10 years as a personal chef. Here you'll find well-tested recipes that you and your family will love!
Sharon Plante says
Can you use hibiscus powder instead of flowers?
Molly Pisula says
Good question! I haven't tried that, but I bet you could. I don't know how strong the flavor is with the powder though--I would start by adding just a teaspoon or two to the sugar/water syrup, let it sit for 30 minutes or so, and taste. Then add more powder if you want a stronger hibiscus flavor.