This Hibiscus syrup is made with dried hibiscus flowers and is perfect for adding to cocktails and other drinks. All you need is five ingredients plus some water and a saucepan to make this simple yet tasty syrup recipe.
Why buy pre-made syrup when you can make your own at home? If you’ve ever looked at the back of a bottle of simple syrup, you’ll find ingredients like ‘natural flavors’ or artificial dyes that are full of chemicals. It’s especially prevalent in red syrups like hibiscus, so we sought out to create our own that uses all natural ingredients. Plus, we think it tastes better than any of the store-bought stuff.
This hibiscus syrup is sweet, slightly tangy, and has a hint of spice. It’s made with dried hibiscus flowers and warming spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. The hibiscus flowers give it that deep beet red color that looks great in cocktails. It’s super easy to make and you’ll have plenty on hand for you need to make a quick drink.
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Ingredients
- Dried Hibiscus Flowers: If you can’t find any in stores, you can easily find a big bag of dried hibiscus flowers on Amazon which is what we use.
- Granulated Sugar: You’ll need 1 ½ cups or 300 g.
- Water: You’ll need 2 cups (500 ml) water.
- Cinnamon Stick: This adds a bit of warmth and spice to overall taste of the hibiscus syrup.
- Cardamom Pods: We use green cardamom pods which have an herbal, slightly citrusy flavor.
- Whole Cloves: Don’t worry about them overpowering the syrup if you’re not a fan of cloves. Everything blends well together especially when combined with the other spices.
Instructions (with photos)
FAQ
They have a tart, almost cranberry-like taste that leans more on the fruity side compared to other floral flavors like lavender or rose.
Place it in an airtight bottle or jar and keep in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. We like to use a swing top bottle since it’s well sealed and easier to pour.
Yes, it’s important not to skip this step because it allows everything to fuse together for a stronger, better tasting syrup. We’re essentially steeping the syrup like you would a cup of tea.
How do you use Hibiscus Syrup?
- Cocktails: Add a splash of hibiscus simple syrup to cocktails like this Non-Alcoholic Hibiscus Margarita.
- Soda Water: Combine it with some fizzy water for a tasty carbonated drink.
- Agua Fresca: Hibiscus is a classic agua fresca flavor. Just mix a bit of cold water with the syrup and you’ve got a quick, refreshing summer drink!
- Desserts: Drizzle it over a scoop of vanilla ice cream or add it on top of some crushed ice to make a snow cone. You can also brush it onto cakes to lock in moisture and add a unique flavor.
- Dressings: If you want to get a bit experimental, you can try making a vinaigrette with it to use for salads.
Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Recipes You’ll Love
📖 Recipe
Hibiscus Syrup
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup (26 g) dried hibiscus flowers
- 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
- 2 cups (500 ml) water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 green cardamom pods
- 6 whole cloves
Instructions
- Add dried hibiscus flowers, sugar, and water to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture reaches a simmer.
- Stir in the cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, and cloves and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Turn off the heat and let steep for 1 hour before straining with a fine mesh sieve. Transfer the syrup into an airtight bottle or jar and store in the fridge.
Notes
- Keep in the fridge for up to 3 weeks in an airtight container.
- Make a simple agua fresca by adding a bit of the syrup to some water. Best served chilled or over ice.
- Use it for cocktails, desserts, and other drinks.
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