Name: Hibiscus Simple Syrup
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups filtered, cold water; 1 cup all-natural cane sugar (honey or agave syrup may be substituted); 3/4 cup dried hibiscus flowers

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This recipe for All-Natural Hibiscus Simple Syrup adds a delightful subtle floral, lemony and slightly tangy flavor to craft cocktails, Italian sodas, iced-teas, buttercream and ice cream.

Simple syrups are the best, because they are…SIMPLE! 🙂 Easily infuse sugar and water with your favorite florals, fruits, herbs and more!

My basic All Natural Cane Sugar Simple Syrup, is great for sweetening cocktails, drinks and hot drinks too!

bottle with label filled with hibiscus simple syrup.

I’ve been waiting ALL summer for my beautiful hibiscus plant to bloom, it brings a little bit of the tropics to Colorado, I love it!

All you need for this beautiful simple syrup are dried hibiscus flowers, now I haven’t tried drying my own, I bought these wonderful All-Natural Dried Flowers.

I love making passion tea concentrate with them as well, SO GOOD FOR YOU! High in antioxidants, these flowers are amazing, in fact it’s the primary ingredient in Tazo’s Passion Tea. And so very flavorful.

How to Make Simple Syrup

Truly it is so “simple“! Just takes a bit of time and most of that time you can walk away from it. Here are the lovely 3 ingredients below, if you call water an ingredient!

package of dried Hibiscus flowers, canister of sugar, measuring cup of water, measuring cup of sugar and dried hibiscus flowers on plate.

Start by placing organic cane sugar (honey or agave), water and dried flowers into a medium pot and bring it to a boil, slowly, over medium heat. Stirring occasionally to help the sugar dissolve.

stirring the simple syrup | www.thefreshcooky.com

As it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook on low for 15 minutes, until slightly reduced and thicker.

Remove from heat and cool completely on the stove. It took about 45 minutes to an hour in the middle of summer for me. Once cooled, place a large glass bowl in the sink, fit with a strainer and strain the flowers from the liquid into the bowl.

NON-SPLATTER TIP

Placing the bowl in the sink will reduce your chances of staining your counters or splattering/spilling all over you. Don’t ask me why I know this, I just do! (wink-wink)

Pouring hibiscus colored water through sieve, catching dried flowers.

Using a jar or other lidded container (a mason jar would work great too), placing a funnel on top of the jar, slowly pour your cooled hibiscus syrup into the jar.

If desired, label the jar, I love cute labels and these chalkboard labels work perfectly. I love jars, I’ve had this jar for 9 years, I picked it up at a little dairy store while on vacation in Maine!

Pin with glass jar of hibiscus simple syrup with dried hibiscus flowers at base and hibiscus flower in background.

THE BEST WAY TO STORE SIMPLE SYRUPS

Can simple syrups go bad? Sure, they can get moldy, so it’s best to store your simple syrup in the fridge. I’ve had them last for up to 6 months.

A few other syrup ideas

Mint (fresh, 1 cup)
Lavender (dried, 1 tablespoon)
Lemon (about 4 lemons, squeezed for 1/2 cup juice, zest from 1 lemon reduce to 1/2 sugar, omit water)

Small glass jar filled with simple syrup, with lidd and flower in background.

How Can I Use Simple Syrup

I’m glad you asked! Because that is the real reason I made this syrup, you can use this syrup in many different ways, such as:

A replacement for grenadine syrup in a Shirley Temple or other drinks, iced teas, punch and craft cocktails
Pour over ice cream, sorbet or sherbet (perhaps over vanilla, or a raspberry sorbet, or rose pistachio??)
Freeze it into small ice cubes for iced tea’s and other drinks
Flavor Italian Sodas, it’s the prettiest pink color!
Bottle some for hostess, teacher, Christmas and food gift baskets.
Drizzle a little into your buttercream for both flavor and pink coloring, naturally!
But probably my favorite is in craft cocktails, such as this amazing Hibiscus Mojito
Try creating a new cocktail by adding a splash to your Moscow Mules, Gin & Tonics, Hibiscus Margarita.

More simple syrups:

Blueberry Syrup | Another naturally flavored and colored syrup! WOW! Try it over pancakes, waffles, on ice cream and yogurt!
Cranberry Simple Syrup | Again a WOW looker to add pizazz to any drink, even non-alcoholic drinks like this Cranberry Spritzer.
Mint Simple Syrup | Wouldn’t this be amazing in any Mojito or Mint Julep?
Gingerbread Simple Syrup | Now we are talking! You can become a barista in your own home with this all-natural and delicious syrup.
Lavender Simple Syrup | I think I could just sit and smell this delicious syrup. I could see drizzling this in a cup of Earl Gray tea or brushing on a lemon cake.

Have you made some unusual simple syrups, if so I’d love to hear what they are?

Like this recipe?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️star rating in the recipe below!

About 12 oz

Hibiscus Simple Syrup

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Cooling Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

This Hibiscus Simple Syrup adds a subtle floral, lemony and slightly tangy flavor to craft cocktails, Italian sodas, iced-teas, buttercream and ice cream.

Ingredients

2 cups filtered, cold water
1 cup all-natural cane sugar (honey or agave syrup may be substituted)
3/4 cup dried hibiscus flowers

Instructions

Add water, sugar (honey or agave) and dried flowers to a medium pot. Slowly bring to a boil while stirring occasionally, over medium heat. Once it reaches a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer on low for 15 minutes until slightly reduced and syrup like (it won't be very thick).
Cool completely in pan, about 45-60 minutes. Placing pourable measuring bowl in sink, fitted with a mesh strainer, slowly pour liquid into bowl. Fit a small jar with a funnel and slowly pour the hibiscus syrup into the jar.
Secure with lid, store in refrigerator 3-6 months.

HOW TO USE SIMPLE SYRUP:

Replacing it for grenadine syrup in a Shirley Temple.
Pour over ice cream, sorbet or sherbet (perhaps over vanilla, or a raspberry sorbet??)
Freeze it into small ice cubes for iced tea's and other drinks
Flavor Italian Sodas, it's the pretties pink color!
Bottle for hostess, teacher, Christmas and gift baskets
Drizzle a little into your buttercream for both flavor and pink coloring, naturally!
But probably my favorite is in craft cocktails, such as Mojitos, Mules and Gin & Tonics, or Margaritas.

Craft Cocktails

Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail

A Cranberry Bourbon Sour cocktail recipe, made with 4 simple ingredients. Lightly sweetened with cane sugar simple syrup, 100% tart cranberry juice, smokey bourbon and fresh lemon juice! A not-to-sweet all natural drink, perfect for winter celebrations.

Fresh Strawberry Gin Cocktail

Let's make a beautiful Strawberry Gin Cocktail! This gorgeous pink gin and tonic uses a fresh strawberry syrup blended with your favorite gin and tonic for a fresh, bright, pink signature cocktail for spring and summertime. Great for Mother's Day, Bridal and Baby Showers, Easter or any summer cocktail hour.

Hibiscus Dark & Stormy Recipe

This Hibiscus Dark and Stormy recipe is just the vibrant burst of tropical sunshine we need! Dark rum, spicy, floral hibiscus ginger beer and fresh lime juice is all it takes!

Healthy Hibiscus Margarita

This hot pink, sweet-tart healthy hibiscus margarita recipe uses traditional ingredients, combined with hibiscus flower syrup or tea creating a tasty drink.

Cherry Bomb | Fresh Cherry Bourbon Cocktail

Cherry Bomb recipe, a fresh cocktail or mocktail made with fresh (or frozen) cherries muddled with bourbon, vanilla, maple syrup, lemon and club soda.

Hibiscus Mojito | A Summer Cocktail

This All-Natural Hibiscus Mojito is the ideal summer/spring patio cocktail! Tangy, floral hibiscus syrup, refreshing mint, zesty lime, a a kick of rum, you'll feel like you've been transported to the tropics! Omit the rum for a refreshing mocktail!

Simple 4 Ingredient Margaritas(Regular or Frozen)

The best, most simple and flavorful margarita, with a secret ingredient. This 4 ingredient recipe is so easy to throw together and always brings rave reviews, serve them over the rocks or freeze them for slushies.

Make a Perfect Cherry Gin and Tonic

Photo Credit: www.thespruceeats.com

Blackberry Bourbon Moscow Mule (B2M2)

This recipe for the Blackberry Bourbon Moscow Mule is bursting with simple yet, amazing flavors; smokey bourbon, sweet fresh blackberries, fresh lime juice and bubbly Ginger Beer.

Smashed Berry Rosè Spritz.

Photo Credit: www.halfbakedharvest.com

Cucumber Cooler Cocktail {Basil or Mint}

ABOUT KATHLEEN

I enjoy sharing easy recipes that are wholesome and delicious. I am fed by my faith, family, friends & food! Welcome to my kitchen! Read more...

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Lynn B Spencer

Tuesday 9th of June 2020

OK, I"m making this! But I'm going to encourage you to can it, this would be a great product to can!!

Kathleen

Wednesday 10th of June 2020

You are right, it really would be great for canning, will you come out and show me! :-)