Gelatin Free Hibiscus Berry Iced Tea with Mint and Cucumber
That deep ruby color alone is enough to stop anyone in their tracks, and the flavor is just as striking — tart hibiscus and sweet mixed berries layered with cool cucumber and fresh mint. Many store-bought flavored teas and drink mixes sneak in gelatin-based clarifying agents or gummy additives, so making your own from scratch is genuinely the smarter move. Here, everything is naturally plant-based: dried hibiscus flowers, real fruit, honey, and fresh produce do all the heavy lifting. Simmering the hibiscus and berries together pulls out an intensely fragrant concentrate that you strain, sweeten, and then let the cucumber and mint slowly perfume as it chills. The result is something that looks like it came from a fancy café but comes together in your own kitchen with minimal effort. Serve it over a big pile of ice with a few extra cucumber slices and mint sprigs, and it's instantly the most impressive drink on the table.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the hibiscus tea base
- 4 cups water
- ½ cup dried hibiscus flowers
- 1 cup fresh or frozen mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries)
- 2 tbsp honey
For the pitcher
- 2 cups cold water
- ½ english cucumber, thinly sliced
- ½ cup fresh mint leaves, lightly packed
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
For serving
- ice, for serving
- fresh mint sprigs, for serving (optional)
- cucumber slices, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine 4 cups water, the dried hibiscus flowers, and the mixed berries in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 8–10 minutes, until the liquid is deeply ruby-red and fragrant.
- 2
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the honey until fully dissolved.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!