Deliciously tart, sweet, and floral, hibiscus simple syrup is the perfect addition to libations, soda, frosting, and as a topping for either breakfast or dessert. This version is also made with stevia for a delightful no-sugar-added syrup!
vegan • easy • no sugar added
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Jump to:
- 📝 quick recipe overview
- ❤️ what you'll love about hibiscus simple syrup
- 🥣 ingredient notes
- 🔪 equipment notes
- 🧑🏽🍳 instruction notes
- 🌺 did you know?
- Recipe
- 🍽️ how to serve
- 🧊 storage
- ✅ acceptable substitutions and variations
- ♻️ sustainability profile
- waste
- ❓ frequently asked questions
- ✨ more simple syrup recipes
- 🕰️ the latest
I think you’ll be impressed with how easy it is to make a simple syrup from hibiscus petals and no added sugar. All you need are some hibiscus petals, water, stevia extract, and arrowroot powder. Relying on stevia and arrowroot powder ensures we have a sweet finished product with a thicker consistency than just water. It’s quite literally a delicious and beautiful addition to your favorite recipes.
📝 quick recipe overview
- Skill level: Beginner
- Taste: Fruity, sweet, slightly tart
- Waste: Low
- Sustainability: Low waste, vegan ingredients
- Cleanup: Easy
- Ingredients: Moderate, easy to source but pure stevia may need to be ordered online
- Equipment: Common
- Time: Under 30 minutes
- Consistency: Slightly thicker than water and thinner than maple syrup
- Kid-friendly: Moderately, flavor may be favored by adults
❤️ what you'll love about hibiscus simple syrup
No added sugar without sacrificing sweet flavor and syrupy consistency. Why do we love making simple syrup this way? Stevia is sugar-free and a more sustainable choice than granulated sugar. Plus, I’m always looking for ways to reduce sugar consumption. Traditional simple syrup recipes call for equal parts sugar and water (which is a lot of sugar), so using a hint of stevia for a sweet and delicious result is a winner in my book!
Beautiful color makes it a vibrant touch for any time of year. I feel like hibiscus petals are just showing off with their vibrant, deep red hues. When heated, this color infuses the water so you’re left with an absolutely beautiful simple syrup. Enjoy its color while you sip it in a drink, or use the deep red color to create a colorful frosting. You can certainly get creative!
Delicious flavor. Most important, hibiscus simple syrup tastes great. The hibiscus petals have a floral sweetness that’s a little tart, creating a nice balance when you add the stevia extract. The sweet, floral flavor makes this a great pairing with other mocktail and cocktail flavors, or enjoyed by simply pouring over a stack of vegan pancakes. You’ll enjoy every bit!
🥣 ingredient notes
Dried hibiscus petals. Hibiscus petals are available at many grocery stores, especially those with international ingredients. Hibiscus is consumed globally, but especially in portions of Africa, Mexico and the Caribbean, and many parts of Asia. You can also order hibiscus petals online.
Water (filtered preferred). While filtered water isn’t required, it helps ensure the water doesn’t create off-flavors and distract from the star of the show. Distilled water will also work, but filtered is more common and a case can be made that the filtration process consumes less energy than distilling.
Stevia extract. I’m a fan of this plant-based sweetener, but it is critical to note that not all stevia extracts are created equal. Stevia commonly sold in U.S. grocery stores usually aren’t pure stevia…they include fillers and bulking agents. This means each brand has a different level of sweetness. I source organic stevia extract online for a version without additives. If you do the same, please note that pure stevia is MUCH sweeter than Truvia and other brand names. A little goes a long way. Recommended stevia extract: Organic Stevia Powder from Viccoky (affiliate link).
Arrowroot powder. I hope you already have arrowroot powder on hand because it can do a great job as a thickening agent, like in this syrup recipe. It doesn’t over-thicken the syrup, which would happen with agar agar powder. It also stays clear, which is important for a simple syrup recipe.
🔪 equipment notes
Small saucepan.
Fine mesh strainer. We will need to remove the hibiscus petals before adding the rest of the ingredients.
Spoon or spatula. It’s best to stir occasionally throughout the process.
Measuring cups and spoons. Used for measuring quantities, but I also recommend using a large measuring cup for straining the liquid.
Small bowl. Before adding the arrowroot powder to the liquid, it's best to dissolve it in a small amount of water first, which is where the small bowl comes in handy.
🧑🏽🍳 instruction notes
Simmer hibiscus petals in water to release the flavor. Briefly bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for about 10 minutes to let the hibiscus flavor infuse the water. The water should turn a deep red color.
Strain out the petals. I strain the liquid into a glass measuring cup, so usually let the saucepan rest off the heat to cool slightly first. Glass can crack with temperature changes, so it’s a step I take to help prevent it. Save the petals to get a second life out of them.
Return to heat and stir in stevia extract and arrowroot powder. Return the liquid to your saucepan over medium heat and stir in your stevia extract. Before adding the arrowroot powder, add just a little water to dissolve it and pour that mixture into the saucepan. We do this to prevent the powder from clumping.
Heat through at a gentle simmer until clear. Stir occasionally for up to 5 minutes, or until the liquid becomes clear. When done, allow to cool and then serve or store for later use.
🌺 did you know?
Hibiscus is also known as Roselle and Jamaica (ha-MY-ka). Hibiscus sabdariffa is also related to the okra, a fruit we commonly consider a vegetable. We use hibiscus and okra in different applications, obviously, but think of hibiscus the next time you see okra and vice versa!
Recipe
Hibiscus Simple Syrup Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Add hibiscus petals and water to a saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a brief boil before lowering the temperature to a simmer. Allow the petals to simmer for about 10 minutes.½ cup dried hibiscus, 1½ cups water
- Briefly remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes before straining out the hibiscus petals.
- Add the strained liquid back to the saucepan and stir in stevia extract. In a separate small bowl, dissolve the arrowroot powder in a small amount of water to create a slurry and stir that into the liquid. Simmer for another 3-5 minutes or until the arrowroot powder becomes clear, stirring occasionally.1 teaspoon arrowroot powder, ¼ teaspooon stevia extract
- Cool and enjoy or transfer to an airtight container to store in the refrigerator or freezer for future use.
Nutrition
Notes
- Pure stevia extract: Most sweet
- Stevia in the Raw: Less sweet
- Truvia: Least sweet
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!🍽️ how to serve
Hibiscus simple syrup gives you the foundation for a number of different delicious treats. Here are just a few serving ideas to help unlock your creativity:
- Hibiscus soda
- Cocktails and mocktails
- Infuse into frosting, or combine with powdered sugar and water for a beautiful glaze
- Pancake topping
- Drizzled over vegan ice cream
- Colorful ice cubes
- Popsicles
🧊 storage
Refrigerator. When refrigerated, syrup can last up to 2 weeks. You may be able to extend the shelf life a little longer, but flavored simple syrups are at higher risk of losing their flavor or losing flavor quality.
Freezer. You can also store hibiscus simple syrup in the freezer for a longer-term option. Enjoy within 3 months.
✅ acceptable substitutions and variations
Hibiscus tea bags instead of loose petals. This recipe has only been tested using loose hibiscus petals, but you can use tea bags. Just be prepared for a weaker result. I would also suggest sourcing tea from a supplier that doesn’t have microplastics in their tea bags.
Sugar instead of stevia extract and arrowroot powder. If you prefer following the more traditional simple syrup method, use equal parts water and granulated sugar. For this recipe, that would be one and a half cups of sugar. Remember to use organic sugar in the U.S. to keep this vegan.
♻️ sustainability profile
Hibiscus simple syrup is considered a sustainable recipe because it relies on ingredients with a low environmental footprint and ingredients can be repurposed after cooking, making this a no-waste recipe.
sourcing
Hibiscus petals. If your budget allows, select organic hibiscus petals to support organic farming. However, I purchase what’s available in our area at the local farmer’s market most often. If you’d like to purchase online, organic hibiscus is readily available. Here is one dried hibiscus option that should work well for you (affiliate link).
Stevia. Compared to beet sugar and cane sugar, stevia has a much lower environmental footprint…which is a good thing. In fact, according to research from the National Institutes of Health, stevia had 92% (and greater) less water requirement than beet and cane sugar. Remember that stevia brands vary and if you’re interested in pure stevia extract, you may find more success ordering online. Here’s what I’ve been using after moving away from Stevia in the Raw and Truvia: Organic Stevia Powder (affiliate link).
waste
Save your used hibiscus petals for other recipes. At this point, they’ve lost some of their potency, but you can still get more life out of them. Here are a few ideas:
- Hibiscus Lemon Simmer Pot: fill a pot with water, the leftover hibiscus petals, and some used lemon halves or saved zest for a light and refreshing simmer pot.
- Vegan Hibiscus Tacos: The hibiscus petals resemble meat when they’re rehydrated. Creating vegan taco meat from these petals is a great option! Try this recipe and give your hibiscus petals a little life beyond the saucepan.
- Composting: Be cautious adding too many acidic ingredients to your home compost. I do add hibiscus petals in moderation to keep them out of the landfill.
❓ frequently asked questions
What flavors pair best with hibiscus?
Hibiscus pairs well with a number of different flavors, making it a versatile addition to your kitchen. Here are some recommendations:
- Berries are a classic combination to enhance the tartness and add a sweeter balance
- Herbs and spices enhance hibiscus and commonly include mint, ginger, cinnamon, and lemongrass
- Citrus fruits are a refreshing pairing and include lime, lemon, and orange flavor. Just be sure to balance with a sweetener so the finished product isn’t too tart. Hibiscus lemonade is a great example, for a little inspiration.
- Don’t forget savory flavors, too! Chiles, nuts, and umami ingredients like mushrooms and tomatoes make hibiscus even more versatile.
What flavor is closest to hibiscus?
Hibiscus flavor is distinctly tart with floral, subtly sweet undertones. The flower is commonly compared to rosehip, cranberries, and pomegranate for the tart taste. Berries are a good comparison as well, especially blackberries and raspberries that are more tart than some of their berry counterparts.
How to use flavored simple syrups?
Flavored simple syrups unlock a wide variety of uses, only limited by your imagination! Some popular uses include adding to drinks, like your favorite cocktails, mocktails, or mixing with seltzer water for a homemade soda (my favorite). Consider getting creative with other uses, including:
- Drizzled as a topping for breakfasts (like pancakes and oatmeal) or desserts (a topping for vegan ice cream)
- Use as a sweet flavor enhancer for baked goods, ranging from cakes to homemade granola
- Create a glaze or frosting to use on cakes and cookies
- Stir into warm drinks like teas and some coffees
- Use in your favorite homemade popsicle recipe
- Flavored and colorful ice cubes
- Blend into a smoothie or vegan milkshake
- Combine with savory ingredients to make sauces and marinades
✨ more simple syrup recipes
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