Hibiscus lemonade is tangy, sweet and refreshing with a beautiful ruby red color from the dried hibiscus flowers. If your are making refreshments for adults only then it's delicious with the addition of vodka.
Heat 2 ½ cups of water and 1 ½ cups of sugar to a boil and boil until the sugar dissolves.
Remove from heat.
Add the hibiscus and let the mixture cool to room temperature.
Strain the flowers out of the sugar mixture.
Add the strained sugar mixture to a pitcher.
Add 1 cup of lemon juice and 2 ½ cups of water.
Stir and taste. Add more sugar as necessary.
Drop lemon slices and ice in chilled glasses and pour the lemonade over the ice.
Serve immediately.
Notes
*Calories with vodka 240 per servingStorage:In the refrigerator, homemade hibiscus lemonade will last for about five days.Remember to add the ice cubes and lemon slices to each individual glass (not the pitcher) so that leftovers don't taste watered down.If the pitcher you use doesn't have a lid, I recommend covering the opening with a piece of plastic wrap. That way, it won't absorb any different flavors that might be floating around inside the fridge.You can freeze leftovers in ice cube trays... Delicious in iced tea!Tips:
Many natural food stores carry dried hibiscus flowers but you could also use a couple of hibiscus tea bags. It would give it more of a lemonade iced tea flavor but that's OK. It will still be amazing.
One cup of lemon juice requires seven or eight lemons, depending on their size. They're easier to juice at room temperature, so pull them out of the fridge in advance if that's where you store them!
Give the lemons a few rolls on the counter, applying firm pressure with your palm. This will help the juices release more easily!
Allow the hot water and sugar mixture to cool at room temperature so that the hibiscus petals fully release their yummy flavor. You don't want to rush the steep time.
If you don't have a fine mesh strainer, you can use a cheesecloth. Or, if the buds are large enough, scoop 'em out with a slotted spoon.
This hibiscus lemonade recipe makes around five or six cups (depending on how much liquid evaporates off while making the simple syrup.) If you're prepping for a bigger party, I'd double the batch!
Make a double batch of the simple syrup and add a sweet, tart flavor to your favorite recipes. (Store it in a glass jar in the fridge.) Drizzle it over lattes, vanilla cupcakes, or pancakes! Hibiscus syrup is also great with your favorite bourbon whiskey and fresh lemon juice on the rocks.