Carrageenan Free Turmeric-Cinnamon Strawberry Hibiscus Cooler
This vibrant drink is a feast for the eyes before it even hits your lips — a deep ruby-red blend of tart hibiscus, sweet strawberries, warm spice, and a bright hit of lemon. Carrageenan, a thickener and stabilizer derived from seaweed, sneaks into a surprising number of bottled beverages and flavored drinks, so making your own is genuinely the smartest move. Every single ingredient here is whole and straightforward: dried hibiscus flowers, fresh strawberries, honey, and a warming trio of turmeric, cinnamon, and ginger. There's no need for stabilizers or additives because the blended strawberry purée and steeped hibiscus base create a naturally lush, full-bodied texture on their own. The process is simple — simmer, steep, blend, and chill — and the result is something that looks and tastes like it came from a high-end juice bar. A little fresh mint and a lemon slice on the rim make it feel genuinely special, whether you're serving it at a summer gathering or just treating yourself on a warm afternoon.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the hibiscus base
- 3 cups water
- ½ cup dried hibiscus flowers
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- 2 tbsp honey
For the cooler
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup ice cubes
For serving
- fresh mint sprigs (optional)
- lemon slices (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the water, dried hibiscus flowers, ground turmeric, ground cinnamon, and ground ginger in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, until the liquid is deep ruby-red and fragrant.
- 2
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the honey until fully dissolved. Let the mixture steep for 10 minutes, then strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher, pressing the hibiscus flowers to extract all the liquid. Discard the solids.
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