Quick Hibiscus Iced Tea

If you ask me, hibiscus iced tea is one of summer’s best kept secrets.

This bright, refreshing drink takes regular iced tea to a whole new level with its natural sweetness and pretty red color. The dried hibiscus flowers steep into a cool, crisp beverage that’s both tart and smooth.

I like to add a hint of honey and a squeeze of lime juice to balance out the flavors, plus a few fresh mint leaves when I’m feeling fancy. It’s the kind of drink that makes you feel like you’re lounging in a garden, even if you’re just sitting at your kitchen table.

It’s a foolproof summer sipper that’s naturally caffeine-free, perfect for those lazy afternoon get-togethers.

What Kind of Hibiscus Should I Use?

For making hibiscus tea, you’ll want to look for dried hibiscus flowers, which are often labeled as “flor de Jamaica” in Latin American markets or simply as dried hibiscus in natural food stores and tea shops. The flowers should be whole or roughly broken, with a deep burgundy color – avoid any that look faded or brownish. While loose dried hibiscus is ideal, you can also use hibiscus tea bags in a pinch, though you might need to adjust the quantity to get the same rich flavor. Just make sure you’re getting pure hibiscus rather than a blend, since other ingredients could change the classic tart taste and ruby color of traditional hibiscus tea.

Options for Substitutions

This refreshing drink can be customized in several ways. Here are some helpful substitutions:

• Dried hibiscus blossoms: If you can’t find dried hibiscus blossoms (also called jamaica or sorrel), you can use 4-5 hibiscus tea bags instead. In a pinch, you could also use cranberry juice mixed with water for a similar tart, red drink – though the flavor will be different.
• Sweeteners: Any sweetener works well here! Try monk fruit sweetener or stevia for a sugar-free option. Brown sugar adds a nice warmth, while simple syrup blends in easily when the tea is cold.
• Mint leaves: Fresh basil makes a nice alternative to mint, or you can skip the herbs altogether. If using dried mint, add just a pinch while brewing the tea instead of as a garnish.
• Raspberries: Other berries work great too – try strawberries, blackberries, or even citrus slices like orange or lemon. You can also use frozen berries to help keep the drink cool.
• Filtered water: While filtered water gives the cleanest taste, regular tap water is fine too. For extra flavor, you can replace one cup of the water with coconut water or sparkling water (add the sparkling water just before serving).

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Brewing

The biggest mistake when making hibiscus tea is using boiling water, which can make your tea taste bitter and harsh – instead, steep the blossoms in room temperature water for 12-24 hours in the refrigerator for a smooth, naturally sweet cold brew. If you’re in a hurry and need to use hot water, never steep longer than 5 minutes, as extended hot steeping will result in an overly tart and astringent brew. Another common error is adding sweetener before tasting the tea first – hibiscus naturally contains its own tart-sweet balance, so start with unsweetened tea and adjust to your preference gradually, keeping in mind that the sweetness will seem less intense once the tea is poured over ice. For the freshest taste, store your dried hibiscus flowers in an airtight container away from direct sunlight, and use within 6 months to prevent the flowers from losing their bright, fruity flavor.

What to Serve With Hibiscus Iced Tea?

This bright and refreshing hibiscus iced tea pairs wonderfully with light summer foods and snacks. I love serving it alongside cucumber sandwiches or fresh fruit platters during warm afternoons. For a casual lunch, it goes great with grilled chicken salads, quinoa bowls, or Mediterranean dishes like hummus and pita. Since this tea has natural tartness, it also matches perfectly with slightly sweet treats like lemon cookies or berry scones – the contrast between the tea and dessert creates a really nice balance.

Storage Instructions

Keep Cool: Your hibiscus iced tea will stay fresh and tasty in the refrigerator for up to 5 days when stored in a sealed pitcher or container. Just give it a quick stir before serving, as some natural settling might occur.

Make Ahead: Want to prep for a party? Make a double batch and keep it ready in the fridge! You can brew the tea up to 5 days before your event – just add the ice, fresh mint, and raspberries right before serving to keep everything looking fresh.

Concentrate: If you’re short on fridge space, brew the tea extra strong (using half the water) and store it as a concentrate. When ready to drink, just mix equal parts concentrate and cold water, then add ice and garnishes. The concentrate will keep in the fridge for up to a week.

Preparation Time	20-1440 minutes
Cooking Time	0 minutes
Total Time	20-1440 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 0-50
• Protein: 0-1 g
• Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 0-13 g

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup dried hibiscus blossoms
• 4 cups cold filtered water
• Ice cubes (for serving)
• Sweetener to taste (such as sugar, maple syrup, honey, or agave, optional)
• Small bunch fresh mint leaves (for garnish)
• 1/4 cup raspberries (for garnish)

Step 1: Steep the Hibiscus Flowers

Place hibiscus flowers into a 1-quart jar or medium pitcher.

Add enough water to cover the flowers, then stir to mix thoroughly.

Chill the mixture in the refrigerator until it turns a bright red, which will take at least 20 minutes.

For a richer color and more intense flavor, consider chilling the tea overnight.

Step 2: Strain the Tea

Once the steeping time is complete, pour the tea through a fine mesh strainer set over a bowl or another pitcher to remove the hibiscus flowers.

This will ensure your tea is clear and free from any flower particles.

Step 3: Serve the Tea

Pour the strained hibiscus tea into glasses filled with ice.

Sweeten to taste with your favorite sweetener, if desired.

Options include honey, sugar, or a sugar substitute depending on your preference.

Step 4: Garnish and Enjoy

For a refreshing touch, garnish each glass with fresh mint leaves and a few raspberries.

Serve immediately and enjoy your vibrant and flavorful hibiscus tea!