This refreshingly addictive hibiscus tea vodka cocktail is made with lemon, ginger, honey and soda water. Super easy, beautiful and naturally sweetened! 🌺
Hibiscus tea is made from beautiful hibiscus flowers native to India and Malaysia. It has this delicious tart yet sweet flavor which helps satisfy sweet cravings. It's also physically cools down the body, perfect for a hot summer day.
Hibiscus is known to have numerous health benefits... do they still apply when drinking with alcohol 😉? Studies have shown that it can lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, improve digestion and cleanse the body of harmful substances.
Jump to:
Which kitchen tools are needed?
- Cocktail shaker (or 2 cups for mixing)
- Glass (for the cocktail)
- Containers (to make the hibiscus tea & honey simple syrup in)
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
- vodka - omit to make a mocktail or substitute with your favorite type of clear liquor.
- lemon - if you want your cocktail less tart, use less lemon. I like to buy organic Lakewood lemon juice so that I don't have to juice a bunch of lemons.
- hibiscus ginger tea - substitute with soda water or your favorite herbal tea. You may need to adjust the amounts of simple syrup and lemon depending on the flavor. You can also make this with hibiscus powder.
- honey simple syrup - I prefer honey simple syrup because it's super easy to make and a natural sugar with lots of beneficial vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. But you can substitute an equal amount of any type of simple syrup.
- ginger - omit or substitute a handful of mint. Ginger adds a wonderful depth of flavor to this drink.
- soda water - add some soda water for a lighter more bubbly variation.
- add fruit - add some raspberries, grapefruit or orange.
- fall flavors - add a pinch of pumpkin pie spice mix for a delicious fall twist!
How to make hibiscus ginger tea - 2 ways
Cold Brew: For every cup of tea you are brewing you'll need a slice of ginger and one tea bag or 1.5 teaspoons of loose leaf tea. If you use more water per teabag the tea won't be as flavorful. Combine cold or room temp water with the tea and ginger. Place in the fridge overnight (6 hours minimum). I prefer the taste of hibiscus cold brewed vs hot because it tastes smoother and more floral.
Hot: For every cup of tea you are brewing you'll need a slice of ginger and one tea bag or 1.5 teaspoons of loose leaf tea. If you use more water per teabag the tea won't be as flavorful. Bring water to a boil and let the tea and ginger steep for 10 minutes before removing. Let cool in the fridge. Unlike most teas, hibiscus tea doesn't get overly bitter if you steep for too long so if you forget to take the tea bags out for a bit - totally fine.
Hibiscus Tea Cocktail Garnish Ideas
- Fresh fruit - lemon, raspberries, blackberries, orange
- Edible flowers
- Dehydrated lemon slices
- Mint
Expert Tips
- Make ice cubes out of the hibiscus tea! You can even put in a little lemon juice and honey simple syrup in them if you're trying to get wild. The larger the ice cube, the longer the ice will last in your hibiscus vodka cocktail.
- Use your favorite hibiscus tea blend. I usually use this organic hibiscus blend with blackberry and lemongrass leaves.
- Make extra honey simple syrup and use it to sweeten any future drinks.
Hibiscus FAQs
No. Hibiscus tea is naturally caffeine free, unless combined with other caffeinated teas.
Hibiscus tea will last up to 5 days in the fridge.
Hibiscus pairs well with light dishes / appetizers, fruit, chocolate and desserts.
More clean cocktail recipes you'll love!
I hope you love this hibiscus tea cocktail! If you make it I’d love if you could leave a rating & connect with me on Instagram @passthesprouts!
PrintRecipe
Hibiscus Tea Vodka Cocktail
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
Description
This refreshingly addictive hibiscus tea vodka cocktail is made with lemon, honey and soda water. Super easy, beautiful and naturally sweetened!
Ingredients
Hibiscus Ginger Tea (makes 1 cup / 8 ounces):
- 1 cup water
- 1 hibiscus teabag or 1.5 teaspoons loose leaf hibiscus tea
- 1 quarter inch slice of ginger
Single Hibiscus Vodka Cocktail:
- 2 ounces vodka (1 shot glass or ¼ cup)
- 2 ounces lemon juice (1 shot glass or ¼ cup)
- 3 ounces hibiscus ginger tea (1.5 shot glasses or ⅓ cup)
- 1 ounce honey simple syrup - .5 ounce hot water mixed with .5 ounce honey (.5 shot glass or 2 tablespoons)
- 1 cup of ice cubes
Instructions
- Make Hibiscus Ginger Tea: For every cup of tea you are brewing you'll need a slice of ginger and one tea bag or 1.5 teaspoons of loose leaf tea. If you use more water per teabag the tea won't be as flavorful.
- Cold Brew: Combine cold or room temp water, sliced ginger and tea - place in the fridge overnight (6 hours minimum). I prefer the taste of hibiscus cold brewed vs hot because it tastes smoother and more floral.
- Hot: Bring water to a boil and let the tea and sliced ginger steep for 10 minutes before removing. Place in the fridge (or freezer briefly) to cool. Unlike most teas, hibiscus tea doesn't get overly bitter if you steep for too long so if you forget to take the tea bags out for a bit - totally fine.
- Make Honey Simple Syrup: mix hot water with honey and let cool.
- Mix Cocktail: In a cocktail shaker combine vodka, hibiscus ginger tea, lemon juice, honey simple syrup and ice. Shake well. Pour into a cup with or without the ice from the shaker. Taste your cocktail - do you want it more bitter? Add more lemon juice. More sweet? Add more honey simple syrup. Enjoy - sip sip!
Notes
- no cocktail shaker: if you don't have a cocktail shaker simply pour the hibiscus mixed drink between two cups, back and fourth until well combined then top with optional splash of seltzer.
- buy bulk lemon juice: if you are making more than a few of these, you may want to buy a 32 ounce bottle of lemon juice from the store so you don't have to juice so many lemons.
- make ahead of time: a batch of these could be made ahead of time without the ice. The mixer could also be made ahead of time adding the vodka and ice when serving.
- mocktail: make it a refreshing mocktail without the vodka. It's a clean hibiscus lemonade!
- Prep Time: 15
- Category: cocktail
- Method: shaken
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: hibiscus tea cocktail, hibiscus vodka cocktail, hibiscus flower cocktail
John says
We make this with hibiscus lemonade with and without vodka - love it both ways!