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Homemade Hibiscus Simple Syrup Recipe {not just for cocktails}

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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. But you can also use it for Italian sodas, iced-teas, buttercream, pancakes, yogurt, ice cream and more.

Simple syrups are the best, because they are…SIMPLE! 🙂 Easily infuse sugar and water with your favorite florals, fruits, herbs and more! And this simple syrup makes the most delicious drink and the prettiest pink cocktails.

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

hibiscus syrup recipe in jar with label with dried hibiscus flowers and a fresh hibiscus flower behind.

Why you will love this hibiscus simple syrup recipe

  • Use a splash to sweeten your favorite drink! You might especially love this hibiscus tea!
  • Simple syrups are the best way to sweeten cold drinks, since the sugar dissolves while making this beautiful 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!

A flowering hibiscus plant.
hibiscus sabdariffa – Beautiful flowers

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 bags. And so very flavorful.

Simple Ingredients Hibiscus Syrup Recipe

Full recipe and measurements in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

  • Hibiscus Flowers | Dried hibiscus flowers can be found online as well as in grocery stores like Whole Foods and Natural Grocers, try your local health food store.
  • Sugar | For this simple syrup, I like to use organic, unbleached cane sugar.
  • Water | Told you it was simple!
package of dried Hibiscus flowers, canister of sugar, measuring cup of water, measuring cup of sugar and dried hibiscus flowers on plate.

How to make Hibiscus Syrup Recipe

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 in a small saucepan.

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 fine wire-mesh strainer and strain the homemade hibiscus syrup from the liquid into the bowl.

Fresh Tip

Placing the bowl in the sink will reduce your chances of staining your counters or splattering/spilling all over you. Pour slowly. 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 airtight 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.

How to store Hibiscus Syrup

Can hibiscus syrup recipe 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.

Variations

  • Mint (fresh, 1 cup) | same ratio of sugar and water
  • Lavender (dried, 1 tablespoon) | Food grade lavender
  • Lemon (about 4 lemons, squeezed for 1/2 cup juice, zest from 1 lemon reduce to 1/2 sugar, omit water)
  • Replace the sugar with equal amounts of agave or use honey
Small glass jar filled with simple syrup, with lidd and flower in background.

Ways to Use Simple Syrup

Here are a few of our favorite ways to enjoy this floral flavor:

  • 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 Old-Fashioned Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, or a lemon gelato, 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!
  • Make a Skinny Cocktail | Add a touch of sweetness to a glass filled with ice and club soda or sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon juice and/or lime juice.
  • Bottle some for hostess, teacher, Christmas and food gift baskets. Don’t forget the gift tags!
  • Drizzle a little into your buttercream for both flavor and pink coloring, naturally!
  • But probably my favorite is in a hibiscus cocktails, such as this amazing Hibiscus Mojito, Healthy Hibiscus Margaritas {Cocktail or Mocktail}.
  • Try creating a new cocktail by adding a splash to your Moscow Mules or Gin & Tonics.

frequently asked questions

How long does hibiscus syrup last in fridge?

Keep this sweet, tart, basic simple syrup in the fridge from two weeks-3 months. I’ve had mine last longer, as long as it’s not growing fuzz or smell funny it’s good to use!

Is hibiscus syrup healthy?

Hibiscus itself is very healthy, it is great for your liver, now in a simple syrup, I”m not really sure, but it’s healthier than say a store bought high fructose corn syrup.

Health Benefits of Hibiscus

The hibiscus plant is rich in antioxidants such as beta-carotene, vitamin C and anthocyanin and it fights inflammation, is known to lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol. It can promote weight loss, fight bacteria and supports liver health, so yes, I am saying that adding hibiscus tea to your diet can be very beneficial.

More simple syrups:

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

If you made this new recipe I’d love to hear what you thought of the hibiscus flavor.

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

hibiscus syrup recipe in jar with label with dried hibiscus flowers and a fresh hibiscus flower behind.

Easy Homemade Hibiscus Syrup Recipe

Author: Kathleen Pope
5 from 2 votes
This Hibiscus Simple Syrup adds a subtle floral, lemony and slightly tangy flavor to craft cocktails, Italian sodas, iced-teas, buttercream and ice cream.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Cooling Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Side Dishes and Condiments
Cuisine American
Servings 12 1 ounce servings
Calories 64 kcal

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 2 weeks to 3 months.

✱ Kathleen’s Tips

Ways to Use Simple Syrup
Here are a few of our favorite ways to enjoy this floral flavor:

Nutrition

Serving: 1 oz Calories: 64 kcal Carbohydrates: 17 g Fat: 0.1 g Sodium: 3 mg Potassium: 3 mg Sugar: 17 g Vitamin A: 44 IU Calcium: 3 mg Iron: 0.02 mg

Nutrition Disclaimer

The Fresh Cooky is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Kathleen Pope, The Fresh Cooky.

About Kathleen Pope

Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer

Hi, I’m Kathleen Pope. Here at The Fresh Cooky you will find easy, mostly from-scratch, trusted recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen. Read more about Kathleen here.

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