Nitrate & Nitrite Free Vegan Hibiscus Lemonade with Fresh Mint
This vibrant, jewel-toned drink is everything a summer sipper should be — tart, floral, lightly sweet, and impossibly refreshing. The deep ruby color comes entirely from dried hibiscus flowers steeped with fresh mint and agave, so every sip is as beautiful as it looks. Because the whole recipe is built from whole, unprocessed ingredients, there's nothing hidden here — no preservatives, no cured or processed components, just flowers, citrus, and herbs doing all the work. Squeezing your own lemons and using agave as the sweetener keeps things clean and completely free of the additives that sneak into so many packaged beverages. The mint steeps right into the hibiscus syrup, giving the finished drink a subtle herbal lift that makes it taste far more complex than the short ingredient list suggests. It's endlessly easy to scale up for a crowd, and the syrup can be made ahead and kept in the fridge until you're ready to pour.
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 syrup
- ½ cup dried hibiscus flowers
- ½ cup agave syrup
- 1 cup water
- 10 fresh mint leaves, plus more for serving
For the lemonade
- ¾ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 4–5 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, agave syrup, and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the agave dissolves. Bring to a gentle simmer, then remove from the heat.
- 2
Add the mint leaves to the hot hibiscus mixture and let steep for 15–20 minutes, until the liquid is deep ruby-red and fragrant.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!