Imagine a drink that's not just a beverage, but a sensory experience that transports you to a tropical paradise with every sip! The Hibiscus Iced Tea Sparkler is the ultimate summer cooler that combines the tangy elegance of hibiscus flowers with the effervescent charm of sparkling water. This vibrant, ruby-red drink is more than just a thirst quencher – it's a conversation starter, a Instagram-worthy masterpiece, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will have your friends begging for the recipe.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 10 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 cups sparkling water
- Ice cubes
- Lemon slices for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine water and dried hibiscus flowers. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce heat to low and let the hibiscus flowers steep for 10 minutes, allowing the water to become a deep red color and extract the full flavor of the flowers.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and strain the liquid through a fine-mesh strainer into a large pitcher, discarding the used hibiscus flowers.
- While the hibiscus tea is still warm, stir in the sugar until completely dissolved, creating a sweet hibiscus syrup.
- Allow the hibiscus syrup to cool completely to room temperature, which typically takes about 30 minutes. You can speed up the cooling process by placing the pitcher in the refrigerator.
- When ready to serve, fill glasses with ice cubes to about 2/3 full.
- Pour the chilled hibiscus syrup into each glass, filling about 1/3 of the way.
- Top each glass with sparkling water, gently stirring to combine the hibiscus syrup and sparkling water.
- Garnish each glass with a fresh lemon slice for added brightness and visual appeal.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the refreshing, tangy-sweet Hibiscus Iced Tea Sparkler.
Tips
- Choose high-quality dried hibiscus flowers for the most intense flavor and color.
- When steeping the flowers, avoid boiling too vigorously to prevent bitterness.
- For a more complex flavor, consider adding a few fresh mint leaves during steeping.
- Use chilled sparkling water for the best carbonation and temperature.
- If you prefer less sweetness, adjust the sugar quantity or use a natural sweetener like honey.
- For an adult version, add a splash of vodka or white rum for a refreshing cocktail.
- Prepare the hibiscus syrup in advance and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Experiment with different garnishes like orange slices or fresh berries.
- Use clear glasses to showcase the beautiful deep red color of the drink.
- Serve immediately after mixing to enjoy the maximum sparkle and freshness.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 106kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
