Vegetarian Fresh Hibiscus Berry Lemonade

Total time50 min

Prep time10 min

Cook time10 min

4.7

(24)

Vegetarian Fresh Hibiscus Berry Lemonade

Few drinks hit as hard as a homemade lemonade that actually earns its color. This one gets its stunning deep ruby hue from dried hibiscus flowers simmered with fresh strawberries and maple syrup — no artificial dyes, no shortcuts, just real ingredients doing beautiful work. The hibiscus syrup steeps until it's fragrant and richly colored, then gets strained and combined with bright, freshly squeezed lemon juice for a balance of tart and floral that tastes genuinely special. Maple syrup stands in as the sweetener here, which keeps the whole drink plant-based and free from any refined sugar concerns. It's the kind of pitcher drink that looks impressive on a table but comes together with minimal effort and a single saucepan. Serve it over ice with a sprig of mint and a lemon slice, and it's instantly the most photogenic thing at any gathering.

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Ingredients

4 servings

For the hibiscus syrup

½ cup dried hibiscus flowers (jamaica/sorrel)
½ cup maple syrup
2 cups water
1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and halved

For the lemonade

¾ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 5–6 lemons)
3 cups cold water

For serving

ice, for serving
lemon slices, for serving (optional)
fresh mint sprigs, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1
Combine the dried hibiscus flowers, maple syrup, 2 cups water, and strawberries in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring once or twice, until the maple syrup is fully dissolved and the liquid turns a deep ruby red, about 5–7 minutes.
2
Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture steep for 20 minutes, until the hibiscus flavor is fully extracted and the liquid is fragrant and deeply colored.

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