Naturally Sweetened Homemade Hibiscus Lemonade

This juicy and refreshing 4-ingredient hibiscus lemonade is made with an irresistible blend of naturally sweetened homemade hibiscus syrup and fresh lemon juice. Ready in less than 30 minutes and easy to make ahead for a family get-together, summer BBQ, or weekend party! It is the perfect non-alcoholic drink to enjoy throughout the warmer months of the year.

The best naturally sweetened hibiscus lemonade

Brace yourself for the magic of naturally sweetened hibiscus lemonade!

A drink that promises to delight your taste buds and leave you craving sip after sip.

Whether you’re lounging by the pool or hosting a summer gathering, this gorgeous lemonade is bound to become your go-to favorite.

And to top it off, it’s made with just a handful of simple ingredients – no refined sugar and fresh and tangy lemon juice. Yum!

The tangy, bright nature of hibiscus is such a lovely addition to all kinds of drinks – if you’re as much of a fan of it as we are, be sure to try our Strawberry Hibiscus Slushies for another thirst-quenching summer beverage!

Recipe features

• Made with natural ingredients. This hibiscus lemonade is made with fresh lemon juice and sweetened with agave or another natural sweetener of choice!
• Easy to prep in advance. If you’re planning a party or just want to have a special drink on hand throughout the week, you can easily prep a large batch of this recipe to serve at your convenience.
• Perfect for the whole family! Refreshing and perfectly sweet-tart, this lemonade will hit the spot for everyone in the family – from kids to adults alike!

Ingredients and substitutions

You can find the full list of ingredients, along with measurements, in the recipe card below. These are my ingredient notes and recommendations for easy swaps and substitutions!

Dried hibiscus flowers or hibiscus tea bags

The main ingredient in hibiscus lemonade is dried hibiscus, which is used to make a simple hibiscus concentrate. You can find hibiscus flowers at most natural food stores or online. Alternatively, you can use hibiscus tea bags! Measurements for both are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.

Lemon juice

Freshly squeezed lemon juice is always best for lemonade! The flavor is just *yes*. You can use bottled in a pinch, but I highly recommend fresh if you can swing it! This inexpensive lemon juicer makes easy work of squeezing lemons for juice. I use ours all the time!

Natural sweetener

To sweeten the lemonade, you will use a natural sweetener such as agave, honey, or maple syrup. I prefer agave for its neutral flavor, but any of the options listed will work!

Still or sparkling water

Finally, you’ll need water to dilute the hibiscus concentrate and make the lemonade. You can use still or sparkling water, depending on your preference.

Where to buy dried hibiscus flowers

You can find dried hibiscus flowers at many Mexican grocery stores, some natural food stores, specialty tea or herb shops, or order it online. This is where I bought my organic dried hibiscus.

If you can’t get your hands on any dried hibiscus flowers, hibiscus tea bags can also be used and they are more readily available at grocery stores. These are the hibiscus tea bags that I tested the recipe with.

I’ve included instructions for using either option in the recipe card below.

How to make hibiscus lemonade

This lemonade recipe is made in two easy parts – preparing the naturally sweetened hibiscus concentrate and assembling the drink!

Step 1: Make the naturally sweetened hibiscus tea concentrate

Add water and sweetener to a small saucepan and bring to a simmer, stirring to combine as it warms. Remove from the heat and add dried hibiscus flowers or hibiscus tea bags. Stir to submerge and steep,

Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a large measuring cup or bowl.

Step 2: Assemble the lemonade

Mix hibiscus syrup and lemon juice together in a single glass or a pitcher (depending on the batch size you want to make).

Fill a glass or pitcher with ice, top it with regular or sparkling water, and stir to combine.

How long will it last in the refrigerator?

The naturally sweetened hibiscus tea concentrate will last up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

If the lemonade is already prepared (adding lemon juice and water to the concentrate), it should keep in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

Can you make a big batch?

Yes! The amount of hibiscus syrup that you’ll have from the recipe below is enough to make a pitcher of hibiscus lemonade that’s perfect for serving a large group.

Portions for making both individual and pitcher-sized servings are in the recipe card below.

If you enjoyed this recipe, we’d love it if you would take 5 seconds to rate and review it below! It’s also super helpful for other readers if you share any modifications you made to the recipe. 

Thank you for sharing your kitchen with NK. We’re so grateful you’re here!

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