Artificial Food Coloring Free Hibiscus Iced Tea
That deep ruby color looks almost too vivid to be real — but every drop of it comes straight from dried hibiscus flowers, no dyes or artificial additives involved. Plenty of bottled teas and fruit drinks get their jewel-toned hues from synthetic colorants, which is exactly what this homemade version sidesteps entirely. Fresh ginger adds a gentle warmth, honey brings a rounded sweetness, and a squeeze of lemon juice brightens the whole thing into something genuinely refreshing. The process is simple: a short simmer, a steep, a strain, and a chill — no special equipment beyond a saucepan and a pitcher. Once it's cold and poured over ice, it's the kind of drink that looks impressive enough to serve at a gathering but requires almost no effort to pull off. It's tart, floral, lightly sweet, and completely clean — exactly what a summer glass should be.
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
- 6 cup water
- ½ cup dried hibiscus flowers
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
For serving
- ice, for serving
- lemon slices, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine 4 cups water, the dried hibiscus flowers, and the sliced ginger in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, until the liquid is a deep, vivid ruby-red.
- 2
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the honey until fully dissolved, then let the tea steep for 10 minutes.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!