Homemade Hibiscus Syrup is the perfect ingredient for homemade cocktails, mocktails and drinks. Tart and slightly floral, this vibrant syrup is easy to make and requires just dried hibiscus flowers, sugar and a lime.
Ingredients Needed
- Sugar: use granulated white sugar instead of brown sugar or turbinado. Regular sugar is neutral in flavor and will allow the delicate floral flavor of hibiscus to be front and center.
- Dried hibiscus flowers: you can buy dried hibiscus flowers online, or look for them at your local Mexican market.
- Lime: I find adding some lime peels to the simple syrup enhances the hibiscus flavor. Use a vegetable peeler to peel the lime zest into strips.
How to Make
In a saucepan, combine the water, sugar, hibiscus flours and lime peels and bring to a simmer.
Simmer the mixture for 1 minute, then cover the pan and remove it from heat.
Allow the mixture to steep for at least 20 minutes (or let it cool completely, covered the entire time, for the most flavor).
Strain the syrup through a fine mesh sieve and discard the hibiscus flowers and lime peels.
Use the syrup as desired in drinks, on baked goods, pancakes, ice cream and more.
Storage Tips
Store the syrup in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
For longer storage, you can freeze the syrup in ice cube trays for up to 6 months.
Ways to Use Hibiscus Syrup
There are so many great ways to use hibiscus simple syrup. For starters, it’s great in cocktails.
- Use it to make a Hibiscus Margarita or Bourbon Smash.
- Make a homemade soda by combining a bit of syrup and club soda.
- Add a spoonful to hot tea or iced tea.
- It’s also great spooned over pancakes, waffles or yogurt.
- Drizzle the syrup over Lemon Olive Oil Cake, ice cream, or Strawberry Pound Cake.
Variations
- Add some additional flavors to the syrup—cardamom pods, bay leaves, lemon peels or orange peels would all be great options.
- Instead of sugar, use honey to make an even more floral simple syrup.
- Add some fruit to the mix—raspberries or blueberries would be a great addition.
Hibiscus Simple Syrup Recipe
Description
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup dried hibiscus flowers
- 1 lime, peeled
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer 1 minute, remove from heat, cover and let steep for 20 minutes.
- Strain and store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks in refrigerator.
Equipment
Notes
For longer storage, you can freeze the syrup in ice cube trays for up to 6 months.
Nutrition
