Artificial Food Coloring Free Classic Hibiscus Iced Tea
That deep ruby color in your glass isn't coming from a dye bottle ā it's pure hibiscus, steeped until the water turns a stunning, jewel-toned red all on its own. So many store-bought fruit teas and flavored drinks sneak in artificial colorings to achieve that vibrant look, which makes finding a truly clean option surprisingly tricky. This recipe skips all of that entirely, relying on dried hibiscus flowers, a quick homemade simple syrup, and fresh lime juice to build every bit of flavor and color from scratch. The result is tart, floral, and just sweet enough, with a brightness that bottled versions simply can't match. A squeeze of lime ties everything together and adds a citrusy edge that makes it feel almost like a mocktail. It's refreshing over ice on a hot afternoon and impressive enough to serve to guests who will absolutely ask what's in it.
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Learn more āIngredients
4 servings
For the simple syrup
- Ā½ cup granulated sugar
- Ā½ cup water
For the tea
- Ā½ cup dried hibiscus flowers
- 4 cups water
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
For serving
- ice, for serving
- lime slices, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved, about 2ā3 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- 2
Bring the remaining 4 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Remove from the heat, add the dried hibiscus flowers, and steep for 8ā10 minutes, until the liquid is a deep ruby red.
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