Make a sparkling craft beverage in just a few minutes at home with this honey-sweetened hibiscus tea & rose mocktail method!
Today, I'm teaching you how to make a tea infused mocktail that's as easy as it is elegantly beautiful. If you want to make an amazing zero proof cocktail at home, you're in the right place. Let's get into the delicious details, including my time saving tips.
If you enjoy this spring themed mocktail recipe, you'll also love my honey ginger immunity tonic. And check out this zobo lemonade, too.
What does it taste like?
If you're wondering do hibiscus and rose go together, the answer is amazingly. In this drink, you'll get floral, fruity, bright, and slightly earthy flavor notes. And it's fizzy and fun. Think of this as a homemade hibiscus refresher, except far better.
What You'll Need for this Recipe
I tried my first tea-tail at a mountain cafe in Banff but you only need to go to the grocery store to grab supplies for this sparkling craft hibiscus mocktail recipe. Here's the ingredient list.
- Dried Hibiscus - I use the loose dried flowers in this recipe but you can also use a hibiscus tea bag
- Honey - Use whatever kind you have on hand and you'll get very subtle floral notes from whichever blooms the bees pollinated in the process.
- Ice
- Orange for both the juice and the peel. I love sweet cara cara orange juice in this drink but you can use most any kind of orange. Blood oranges and navel oranges also work well.
- Rose water has a strong floral flavor so a little bit goes a long way
- Sparkling Water adds effervescence. I'm not picky but Topo Chico mocktails are popular and this can certainly be one of them if that's the brand you prefer.
- Warm Water to steep the hibiscus in and create the base of this alcohol free drink recipe
A note on substitutions: Fresh squeezed is best here but you can also make this mocktail recipe with orange juice from the store in a pinch. Add another layer of flavor with ginger honey syrup instead of plain honey!
Why is it called a mocktail?
A mocktail is a play on the word cocktail and refers to a craft style drink made and served in the same style as a cocktail except non-alcoholic. Sodas, juices, herbs, teas, and syrups are all fair game.
Tips & Tools
Grab a mixing glass as well as a jigger for this recipe. You'll also use a bar spoon. If you don't have these mocktail tools (which are the same as cocktail tools), you can use a pitcher or multi measuring cup in place of the mixing glass. A shot glass works like a jigger. And a gentle hand plus a butter knife can tag in for a bar spoon, if needed.
Can I make this drink in advance? Yes. Just reserve the ice and sparkling water until you're ready to serve.
How to make for a crowd? Brew a pitcher of hibiscus tea in advance to make an easy big batch. This tip is great for making multiple drinks and even saves time for crafting a single.
How to Serve
Presentation is key to an elevated virgin drink recipe. Start with a simple rose and sugar rim and finish with a twist of orange peel. These will not only uplevel the presentation but add additional layers of flavor to your drink! And I love a beveled glass but any highball will do.
Can I serve with alcohol? Definitely, although it will no longer be a mocktail. If that isn't a deal breaker for you, I recommend a shot of gin because the botanicals are great with these flavors. Check of my Hibiscus Gin & Tonic for more evidence.
Can I make it vegan? Yes. Substitute maple syrup for the honey. I recommend cutting the amount in half as well, since maple syrup is a bit sweeter. You can always adjust up from there, if you want to.
More Favorite Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Frozen Watermelon Mint Lemonade
Sparkling Strawberry Mint Limeade
I hope you'll enjoy this fancy mocktail recipe for Valentine's Day or any time the mood strikes. And sharing is caring so be sure to pin this zero proof bev recipe for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
Sparkling Hibiscus & Rose Mocktail Recipe
Sparkling Honey Hibiscus Rose Mocktail
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon dried hibiscus or one hibiscus tea bag
- 4 ounces warm water
- ¼ teaspoon dried rose petals culinary grade
- ¼ teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ orange
- ⅛ teaspoon rose water
- ice
- sparkling water
Instructions
- Steep hibiscus tea in warm water for about five minutes.
- Meanwhile, mix together dried rose petals and sparkling sugar in a shallow dish. Run the orange around the rim of a highball glass then dip the glass in rose and sugar mixture to create decorative rim.
- Remove tea bag from steeped tea. Add honey and stir until dissolved. Be sure to mix in the honey before adding any cold ingredients, to ensure it dissolves. Cold temperature makes honey nearly impossible to mix.
- Squeeze orange juice into tea, followed by rose water.
- Add about ½ cup of ice to this mixture and stir vigorously for about five seconds to chill.
- Fill prepared highball glass halfway with fresh ice then strain the tea mixture into the glass.
- Top up with sparkling water and garnish with twisted orange peel, if desired.
Marta says
I loved so much about this honey hibiscus mocktail, but even that small amount rose flavor sent from delicious to beyond amazing. I'll definitely try this again.
Robin says
I have never consumed rose water nor rose petals before. This mocktail was as refreshing as it was gorgeous!
Jessica Lawson says
I made these for a baby shower over the weekend and everyone was in love. So refreshing. Big hit!
Jen Sim says
I love anything with hibiscus in it so I was naturally excited to try this cocktail. It delivered so much flavor and the addition of rose water was delicious!