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. Many store bought-drinks contain lots of stuff that you’d probably rather not serve your friends, family, and kiddos on a regular basis. But this hibiscus lemonade is made with just a few all-natural ingredients 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!
What is hibiscus lemonade made from
The vibrant and versatile hibiscus flower is at the heart of this refreshing concoction.
Bursting with flavor and brimming with health benefits, hibiscus will add an unforgettable joy to your lemonade experience.
Its deep pink hue creates a visually stunning drink and hints at the delightful tanginess that awaits you.
Fresh lemon juice is used to complement the hibiscus. The bright acidity provides a refreshing contrast to the floral notes in the beverage, creating a harmonious balance in each sip.
And while traditional lemonades often rely on refined white sugar, this recipe opts for healthier alternatives, like agave or honey.
These natural sweeteners reduce the overall sugar content and add a subtle depth of flavor that perfectly complements the hibiscus and lemon.
What does hibiscus lemonade taste like?
Hibiscus lemonade is a unique and refreshing twist on a classic lemonade.
The taste of hibiscus lemonade is sweet-tart, tangy, and slightly floral, which adds a subtle earthy and fruity flavor, complimenting the sourness of the lemon juice.
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 health 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. 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 it all the time!
Natural sweetener
To sweeten the lemonade, you will use a natural sweetener such as agave, honey, or maple syrup. These sweeteners are healthier alternatives to white sugar. 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.
Recipe variations
Nothing beats a 4-ingredient thirst-quenching drink, but if you want to add something extra to this lemonade, there are a lot of options you could play around with!
Ginger
If you like a slightly spicy kick, thinly slice some fresh ginger root and add it to the hibiscus concentrate when you add the hibiscus to steep.
Berries
For a bright and fruity twist, gently muddle some fresh raspberries, blueberries, or strawberries in your glass with the hibiscus concentrate before adding lemon juice and water. Add a few berries to the top of the lemonade for bonus points when serving!
Cinnamon
Whole cinnamon sticks can be steeped in the hibiscus concentrate with your dried hibiscus or tea bags for added warmth and depth of flavor.
Fresh mint or basil
Adding fresh mint or basil to your Hibiscus Lemonade offers a refreshing and cooling flavor. Muddle herbs in the bottom of your glass, add hibiscus concentrate and lemon juice and stir. Garnish with extra mint or basil for a pretty presentation!
As a cocktail
Replace a portion of the water with some vodka or gin to make a refreshing summer lemonade cocktail.
Sparkling water instead of still
Turning your hibiscus lemonade into a sparkling beverage is a fantastic idea if you prefer a fizzy kick. Top it off with some sparkling water or soda for a delightful effervescence. Try experimenting with flavored sparkling water to add an extra layer of complexity.
And let’s not forget the power of garnishes! A sliced round of lemon or orange, a sprig of fresh herbs, extra dried hibiscus, or even edible flowers can elevate the visual appeal of your hibiscus lemonade, making it even more enjoyable to drink and serve.
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!
PrintHibiscus Lemonade (Naturally Sweetened!)
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
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! The perfect non-alcoholic drink to enjoy throughout the warmer months of the year.
Ingredients
For hibiscus syrup
- 2/3 cup water
- 2/3 cup agave, honey, or cane sugar
- 1/3 cup dried hibiscus flowers or 3 hibiscus tea bags
For 1 lemonade
- 2 tablespoons naturally sweetened hibiscus syrup
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (or to taste)
- 6 ounces still or sparkling water
For a pitcher of lemonade
- 1 cup naturally sweetened hibiscus syrup
- 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice (or to taste)
- 6 cups (48 ounces) still or sparkling water
Instructions
To 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. Steep for 15-20 minutes.
- Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a large measuring cup or bowl. Allow to cool to room temperature. Transfer to a jar or airtight container and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
To make 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, stir to combine, and serve garnished with a lemon wheel and extra dried hibiscus if desired!
Notes
The amount of lemon juice used can be adjusted based on your preferences. For a more tart lemonade, increase the lemon juice to 2 tablespoons per serving. For a slightly less tart lemonade use 1 tablespoon lemon juice per serving.
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.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Drink
- Method: Stove top
- Cuisine: Healthy
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