Hibiscus Lemonade
This hibiscus lemonade is a healthy sweet sip you can enjoy all summer long. It's a tangy and refreshing spin on agua de jamaica that's naturally sweetened with honey. You only need four ingredients to make it, and it's ready in just 15 minutes!
If you love the refreshing taste of fruit-infused lemonade, try our blood orange lemonade, blackberry lemonade, or rhubarb lemonade!
Table of contents
If you're after something sweet you can sip on all summer long, look no further. This hibiscus lemonade is a sweet-tart version of everyone's favorite refreshing drink with the added benefit of botanicals.
If you're a fan of the hibiscus lemonade from Starbucks or Chipotle, or you're familiar with agua de jamaica, you'll love this homemade version!
Hibiscus flowers are often used in drinks and recipes in places like Mexico and the tropics, where they grow natively. They have a distinct deep red-purple color and a tart, floral, and fruity taste.
This hibiscus lemonade is basically a cross between lemonade and hibiscus iced tea, and it's really easy to make. Start by steeping hibiscus tea with honey to make a syrup, then mix it with water and fresh lemon juice, and serve it over ice. That's all there is to it!
In the warmer months, we keep a pitcher of fresh lemonade in our fridge at all times, and this hibiscus version is on high rotation. With less sugar, it's healthier than store-bought, and we feel good knowing the added vitamin c is supports our immune system at the same time.
What is hibiscus lemonade?
Hibiscus lemonade is lemonade infused with dried hibiscus flowers. The flowers are steeped like tea to release a tart cranberry or pomegranate-like flavor and deep red color. The infusion is mixed with fresh lemon juice and water to make a healthy and beautiful version of lemonade!
Hibiscus flowers are edible flowers commonly used in Mexico to make refreshing hibiscus drinks like agua de jamaica, a sweetened iced tea. They're even used to flavor sauces, marinades, and desserts.
Hibiscus lemonade ingredients
You only need four ingredients to make this easy hibiscus lemonade. Here's everything you need:
- Water
- Honey – to add sweetness and balance the sour tastes of hibiscus and lemon. You can also use agave for a vegan version or even granulated sugar. Feel free to adjust the amount of sweetener to your taste.
- Hibiscus flowers – hibiscus flowers are actually much easier to find than you might think. Look for them at most Mexican markets, bulk herb shops, or online. We prefer loose flowers, but hibiscus tea bags work in a pinch.
- Lemon juice – fresh is best for a bright pop of citrus flavor.
How to make hibiscus lemonade
This hibiscus lemonade recipe is an ultra-hydrating drink for warm days, and it's easy to make in a couple of simple steps:
- In a saucepan, bring some of the water, honey, and hibiscus flowers to a boil. Then, turn off the heat to let the tea steep. Once the hibiscus syrup is nice and strong, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve.
- Pour the rest of the cold water, hibiscus simple syrup, and lemon juice into a pitcher. Add a few ice cubes or pop it in the fridge until it's cold.
Full recipe instructions are in the recipe card below.
FAQs
Hibiscus petals come from the tropical hibiscus flower, often labeled as ‘flor de Jamaica'. They can be found at Mexican markets and often at bulk herb shops along with other tea flowers. You can also buy them online.
Yes, they are! They're a rich source of vitamin C, and they're loaded with antioxidants. This botanical source of vitamin C is also easily absorbed by the body.
Yes, why not! Vodka is our spirit of choice for turning this drink into a refreshing cocktail.
Hibiscus lemonade will stay fresh in your fridge in a sealed jar or pitcher for 3-4 days.
What does hibiscus lemonade taste like?
Hibiscus lemonade is like a mash-up between regular lemonade and hibiscus iced tea. It's floral, tangy, and refreshing with the perfect amount of sweetness.
When to serve hibiscus lemonade
Enjoy hibiscus lemonade as a cool drink on a warm day, or anytime you would serve regular lemonade. Kick back, relax, and sip on this refreshing ruby red lemonade knowing your body is also benefiting from all the added nutrients of herbs!
Favorite lemonade recipes
Hibiscus Lemonade
If you love this recipe as much as we do, let us know with a 5-star rating!
Ingredients
- 6 cups water, divided
- ½ cup honey, or granulated sugar
- ½ cup dried hibiscus flowers, flor de jamaica
- ½ cup lemon juice
Instructions
- In a small pot over high heat, bring 2 cups of the water, honey, and hibiscus flowers to a boil. Take the pot off the heat and let cool for at least 10 minutes, or preferably until it's room temperature. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve.½ cup honey, ½ cup dried hibiscus flowers
- Pour the syrup, the remaining 4 cups of water, and the lemon juice into a pitcher and stir well. Add a few ice cubes to cool it down right away or put it into your fridge until it's cold.½ cup lemon juice
If you love lemonade as much as we do, make sure to check out all of our lemonade recipes!
I do love agua de jamaica – so refreshing – and the addition of lemon gives it an extra freshness.
Wow! Made this for our mother’s day brunch today! Love the color that the hibiscus flowers create for this yummy lemonade!
I love hibiscus! Have never had it with lemonade before, but it’s a genius combination! Can’t wait to make it again!
Such a beautiful lemonade! Love that color and so easy too. Definitely perfect for summer.
What a fabulous and refreshing flavored lemonade. I can’t wait to make it again.