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In this post, I’d like to share a simple homemade hibiscus tea recipe, which you can also use to make sugar-free popsicles for your kids.
Being a dietitian, I know all about the many benefits of staying optimally hydrated. Nonetheless, I still struggle drinking enough water.
I’m sure I’m not the only one experiencing this, but I just find drinking plain water so boring! That’s why I’m always on the lookout for interesting ways to hydrate without water.
Last summer, I added a hibiscus plant to my garden with the intention to use it to make tea. However, I had yet to harvest it. So when a heat wave hit a few weeks ago, it gave me the extra motivation needed to research homemade hibiscus tea recipes and finally give them a try of my own.
Hibiscus tea can be made using both fresh or dried flowers. I decided to use them fresh, so I could enjoy the beverage immediately. That said, you can easily make it from dried flowers you purchase from your local tea shop, asian supermarket, or even online.
Here’s a video showing the step-by-step process I’ve used to make hibiscus iced tea. I’ll also show you how to easily turn said tea into kid-approved hibiscus-flavored popsicles.
Hibiscus tea recipe: step-by step process
My hibiscus plant isn’t the typical red-flowered variety, but it can apparently still be used to make homemade hibiscus tea. The end-product is less tart than typically reported with the red-flowered variety, and has a pleasant yet subtle flavor and aroma.
If you have access to the same hibiscus flowers as I do, I suggest letting them steep for slightly longer than the recommended 10-12 minutes if you want a stronger flavor.
How to personalize your tea to your liking
This beverage can be enjoyed both warm or cold, and spiced up with your choice of extra ingredients; be it fresh mint, basil, lemon or orange zest, or a touch of raw sugar or maple syrup for extra sweetness.
I’ve added lemon zest and a touch of maple syrup to mine, and enjoyed it on ice. The kiddos loved the popsicles as well, so I can vouch for both options as for alternatives to water to stay well hydrated.
I’ll probably harvest some of the flowers and dry them so I can keep making hibiscus tea throughout the colder months too.
A few more hydrating recipes
Here are a few more plant-based recipe ideas, including an easy-to-make watermelon drink!
What are your favorite alternatives to plain water when trying to stay hydrated? Comment below to share them with me; all suggestions are welcome!