Skip the coffeehouse rush and make this ultra creamy pretty in pink hibiscus latte at home in just five minutes! This cozy herbal milk tea is uniquely delicious and will become a fast favorite.
And if you enjoy this recipe, you'll love my sparkling rose hibiscus mocktail, too!
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Where does hibiscus tea come from?
Hibiscus, also known as zobo, roselle, sorrel, and by many other names, is an important part of many diaspora foodways because it originated in parts of Africa and Asia, including Jamaican, Japanese, and Mexican cuisines as well as my father's homeland of modern-day Nigeria. I love making ice cold hibiscus lemonade during summer and warm zobo tea when it's cold.
❤️ Why You'll Love this Recipe
Caffeine Free - If you're not a coffee drinker hitting up Starbucks but want to start the day with a cozy cuppa (like me!), tea lattes are a good move. And this one avoids all those caffeine jitters altogether since hibiscus is an herbal tea.
Flavor Profile - You'll taste earthy, floral, and slightly fruity notes from the hibiscus perfectly complements by tropical creamy coconut and a hint of warming zing from ginger.
We LOVE tea lattes with breakfast around here, like my minty matcha latte or the pistachio matcha. And don't sleep on my super cozy cookie butter chai latte!
What You'll Need for this Recipe
Hibiscus is the flavor base of this drink and adds the pretty purple color. I recommend using organic food grade dried hibiscus flowers but you can also make this recipe with hibiscus tea bags.
Coconut Milk is my milk of choice for this latte because of the flavor play but you can use virtually any plant-based milk that you like, including almond milk. I don't recommend dairy milk, though, because the acidity in the hibiscus curdles it.
Ginger from fresh ginger root is best but a pinch of powdered ginger can also work, if needed. Use ¼ the amount when converting from fresh to dried.
Check out the recipe card below for full ingredients list, measurements, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions!
Substitutions & Variations
Hot or Iced - Sip this drink as a cozy warm latte or pour over ice as a kind of homemade pink hibiscus refresher at any time of year!
Honey is my sweetener of choice and I like using ginger-infused honey for extra flavor but you can use just whatever liquid or granulated sugar you prefer. Coconut sugar is a great option that will make this latte vegan.
If you want to add extra hibiscus flavor, try my spiced hibiscus syrup for your sweetener.
How to Make Hibiscus Tea with Milk
Step One: Add all ingredients to a small saucepan over medium low heat and stir.
Step Two: Once the liquid is lightly bubbling, remove from heat and vigorously mix to create foam.
Pro Tip #1: A frothing wand will give you those fancy coffeehouse vibes with nice foam on top of your pretty in pink latte at home.
Step Two: Strain the liquid into a mug and sprinkle pieces of dried hibiscus over top, if desired.
Pro Tip #2: I recommend using a slotted spoon so that you can easily strain out the solid ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can make this latte up to three days in advance.
Allow the drink to come to room temperature then store refrigerated until ready to drink up to three days. Some separation will likely occur so be sure to give it a good shake before enjoying and gently reheat it to loosen the texture if using full fat coconut milk.
I recommend using plant-based milk in this hibiscus latte, especially if using pure dried hibiscus flowers because they are acidic, which will cause curdling with dairy milk. Hibiscus tea bags will have varying levels of acidity and could be used.
Hibiscus Milk Tea Benefits
Hibiscus flower tea is known to help balance hormones and support fertility due to its phytoestrogen content (NIH). As a woman managing PCOS symptoms and root causes, I love that little fun fact.
This plant also has health benefits including digestion support, antioxidant properties, blood pressure and blood sugar regulation and even anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties (Cleveland Clinic)!
Drinking hibiscus tea as a moon milk is soothing and calming, especially without any caffeine, so it can help relax you into a good night's sleep (Mantasleep).
Part natural sleepytime tea part hormone health drink. All magic.
More Favorite Hibiscus Drink Recipes
I hope you'll add a homemade tea latte to your morning routine. Let me know how you like this recipe in the comments. And sharing is caring so be sure to pin this pink moon milk recipe for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
📖 Recipe
Hibiscus Coconut Tea Latte
Equipment
- 1 knife
- 1 mug
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons dried hibiscus or two hibiscus tea bags
- ½ inch knob of ginger
- 1 ½ cup coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon honey or to taste
Instructions
- Add hibiscus or teabags, ginger, coconut milk, and honey to a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Bring mixture to a low boil, stirring to dissolve honey and incorporate flavors (about three minutes).
- Turn off heat and strain out tea and ginger pieces. Then carefully swirl a frothing wand through the mixture to create as much foam as desired.
- Pour latte into mug and enjoy carefully.
Virginia Rechtschaffen says
I’m not sure if I ever had Hibiscus tea. This was so lovely! I garnished it with more hibiscus so it looked pretty as well as tasted wonderful. I made the recipe again, this time with Almond milk. It’s a lighter taste but also good. The color with the Almond milk is light purple. The tea company is Hampstead and it seems like a really nice quality product. Thank you for the great recipe.
Jazzmine Woodard says
So glad you enjoyed this one, Virginia! I have plenty more hibiscus drink recipes, in case you're interested.
Camille says
I absolutely love sorrel and never thought to combine it with coconut milk for that creamy goodness...it was bomb and so cozy. Thanks, girl... def making this again this week! 🫶🏾
Britney says
The flavors of the coconut pair so well with the hibiscus. This was such a refreshing latte to enjoy, and fun to make too!
Jessica says
I've been looking for a new warm drink as part of my evening wind down routine and this one really hit the spot. I bought a whole bulk bag of hibiscus so I can make it all the time.
Lilly says
I was so happy when I found this recipe! It's been such a relief. I enjoy this every day when it is my time of the month and it helps ease my cramps. Thanks so much for the recipe
Marta says
So many things about this drink gave me warm fuzzies. I'm a coconut nut and hibiscus has to be one of my favorite teas in the whole wide world. Putting them together in this latte was genius!