Make easy spiced hibiscus simple syrup for cocktails, mocktails, and more in 20 minutes with flavorful ingredients! This recipe should be in your rotation year round but especially around the holiday season because it tastes similar to sorrel.
And if you enjoy this hibiscus syrup recipe you'll love my ginger honey syrup, too!
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❤️ Why You'll Love this Recipe
Quick & Easy - Make hibiscus simple syrup in about 15 minutes. This recipe only calls for everyday kitchen tools and is made in the same method as my popular citrus simple syrup and strawberry vanilla syrup.
Sorrel Flavor - Floral, earthy hibiscus is the base for the deep purply red drinks across West Africa and the African diaspora, known as zobo drink, sorrel, agua de jamaica, roselle, and many more names. This sweet hibiscus ginger syrup tastes like a sorrel syrup with warming spices, ginger, and brown sugar.
Replace the store bought version in recipes that call for it like my hibiscus French 75 or the hibiscus gin & tonic or just add an extra oomph of flavor. You can also use this syrup in my hibiscus sweet tea recipe or homemade hibiscus ice cream!
What You'll Need for this Recipe
Dried Hibiscus Flowers add deep color and the flavor base of this recipe. I recommend food grade hibiscus flowers or you can make your hibiscus simple syrup with roselle tea bags.
Ginger adds warmth and zing so don't skip it! Fresh ginger is best though ground ginger can also work.
Cinnamon and Clove for sweet spice notes. I recommend using whole cloves and cinnamon sticks but you could use ground spices in a pinch.
Check out the recipe card below for full ingredients list, measurements, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions!
Substitutions & Variations
Sweetener - I make this vegan hibiscus tea syrup recipe with brown sugar but you could make it with granulated sugar, coconut sugar, honey, agave, or maple syrup, too.
Liquid - If you want to add another layer of flavor, try making DIY hibiscus syrup with juice instead of water. Pineapple juice will provide a Nigerian zobo drink flavor profile and zesty orange juice will make it taste just like Jamaican sorrel!
How to Make Hibiscus Syrup from Dried Flowers
Step One: Add all ingredients to a small saucepan and stir until brown sugar is dissolved.
Step Two: Bring mixture to a boil then reduce heat and simmer.
Pro Tip #1: The smaller you cut the ginger, the more flavor will be infused into the syrup so cut, slice, and/or dice to your preference!
Step Three: Strain out the solid ingredients.
Step Four: Transfer syrup to an airtight container to store.
Pro Tip #2: I like to let the spices and hibiscus steep in the syrup as it cools for even stronger flavor.
Pro Tip #3: A slotted spoon works well for removing large solids then I recommend a strainer for the smaller pieces.
By the way, hibiscus works in savory sauces, too. Check out my smoky hibiscus & honey BBQ sauce for all your grilling needs!
Frequently Asked Questions
This syrup tastes like hibiscus tea with notes of cinnamon, clove, and ginger. You'll also taste caramelized sugar notes.
You can make this syrup up to six days ahead of time.
Store in an airtight container and refrigerate. It will keep for one to two weeks this way.
To freeze hibiscus flavored simple syrup, transfer it into a freezer safe container and store up to three months. I recommend freezing in molds such as ice cube trays for easier thawing and use.
Uses for Homemade Hibiscus Syrup
This is the best hibiscus syrup for cocktails, mocktails, Italian sodas, punch recipes and even lattes. I mean, doesn't a spiced hibiscus coffee sound dreamy? It can also work on layer cakes to keep them moist and add flavor or as a sweetener for homemade sorbet.
Hibiscus sorrel syrup is also a great natural substitute for grenadine and one of my favorite ways to use it is by combining with ginger beer for homemade hibiscus ginger beer. By the way, you'll need this syrup on deck for my sweet and sophisticated hibiscus martini cocktail recipe!
Also see my hibiscus mezcalita, tropical hibiscus mojito, and hibiscus mint julep.
More Hibiscus Recipes
I hope you'll enjoy this DIY spiced hibiscus simple syrup soon and very soon. And sharing is caring so be sure to pin this recipe for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
📖 Recipe
Spiced Hibiscus Simple Syrup
Equipment
- 1 knife
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup water
- 1 ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup dried hibiscus
- 2 inches fresh ginger
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 cloves
Instructions
- Add water, brown sugar, dried hibiscus, ginger, cinnamon stick, and cloves to a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir ingredients until brown sugar is dissolved then bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Turn off heat and allow syrup to cool then strain out solid ingredients.
Melissa says
I made this recipe as-is and mixed with lime juice, mezcal and seltzer. SO delicious and easy! Can't wait to make it again.
Jazzmine Woodard says
Hi, Melissa! I'm so glad you enjoyed this syrup--it's one of my favorites. And that mezcal combination sounds amazing. You might like my hibiscus mezcalita, too!
Jim says
Love this recipe. I didn't have stick cinnamon so I used a small amount of ground cinnamon and then strained into a coffee filter. Also, I used a much smaller amount by half of agave syrup and love this in a cocktail. I mix 3 oz of good vodka, 2 oz. Of this syrup, 1 oz. Of Grand Marnier, and the juice of half a lemon. Easy to remember three, two, one, and a half. Shake with ice in a cocktail shaker and then strain into a chilled martini glass.
Jazzmine Woodard says
Thanks for your note, Jim. Glad you could make this recipe your own!
Regis ENKF says
I have sromach ulcers trying to find a blend or blends to use honey tumeric ginger, or any other combinations for stomach ulcers … just do not know where to start! Your receipt has given me a start. I will send you results Since this is you receipt . You may be able to pass it own to others. At 68 I do not have time and space to figure this out on my own, I WILL giveyou my findings ...
Ms Regis ENKF yes I am female! 🌻🐝Happy
Jazzmine Woodard says
Hi, Regis. Thanks for your note. I hope this recipe is helpful to you and that you find some relief!
Jessica Lawson says
I'm pregnant and I wanted some fun mocktails. This was easy to make and so delicious added to a little ginger beer. I've also been loving it in my tea. Will keep this on hand all the time now!
Krysten says
Hibiscus is one of my favorite ingredients and I never miss an opportunity to try it in new ways. This hibiscus simple syrup recipe is perfect for adding to cocktails. I didn't have any fresh ginger on hand, but that did not affect the recipe at all in my opinion. I just stirred in a pinch of dried ginger powder and that did the trick. Perfect!
Marta says
I made a double-batch of this hibiscus syrup and store it in a glass carafe in my fridge to add to seltzer water. It's a refreshing drink that helps me with my water intake!
Jazzmine Woodard says
Marta, you just gave me a new idea--endless possibilities with this syrup! Glad you enjoyed!