This hibiscus tea strawberry lemonade refresher is fruity, tart, naturally sweetened, and so refreshing. Made with hibiscus tea, strawberries, and fresh lemon juice, this hibiscus tea lemonade is the perfect drink to cool down with on a hot day.
Love bright, fruity drinks? Check out my Green Tea Lemonade, Blueberry Lemonade, or Aguas Frescas for the ultimate lineup.
Hibiscus always brings me back to the cobblestone-paved streets of Mexico, sipping agua de jamaica on hot, sun-soaked afternoons. This stunning flower, also known as flor de jamaica, gives drinks a deep ruby color and bold, tangy flavor.
I first learned about hibiscus in Mexico years ago and later realized hibiscus and Jamaica were the same thing as I became more interested in plant-based wellness. Since then, hibiscus has become one of my favorite drinks to keep in rotation.
I enjoy it throughout the year, whether as a cold brew hibiscus tea, a pitcher of elderberry hibiscus sun tea, pineapple hibiscus sun tea, or mixed into a cooling refresher like this one.
Why you'll love this Strawberry Hibiscus Lemonade
- Simple to prepare: Few ingredients, easy steps, great for beginners.
- Easy to customize: Whether you prefer it sweeter, tangier, or fruitier, this lemonade adapts easily.
- Family-friendly: Enjoyed by all ages, a delicious alternative to store-bought drinks.
- Crowd-pleasing: The vibrant ruby color makes it perfect for summer gatherings, BBQs, and holidays.
Jump to:
Ingredients
- Hibiscus: Adds a bold, tart flavor and deep ruby color. Hibiscus tea is also known for its naturally occurring antioxidants.
- Strawberries: Bring fruity sweetness, fresh berry flavor, and vitamin C.
- Lemon: Adds bright tartness and more vitamin C.
- Maple syrup: Naturally sweetens the lemonade and adds depth of flavor.
Customizing Strawberry Hibiscus Lemonade
Personalizing your hibiscus tea lemonade is part of the fun. Here are a few ideas to make it even more delicious:
- Add sparkling water: For a fizzy version, replace half of the water with sparkling water.
- Make it a cocktail: Add a shot of rum or vodka for an adult version of this refreshing drink.
- Include other fruits: Experiment with adding other fruits like raspberries or peaches for a different twist.
If you’re looking for a few more easy drink recipes, try this watermelon juice, pineapple peel tea, or Mexican rice milk next. They’re light, refreshing, and perfect when you want something cold.
Tested tips
- Steep hibiscus for 5-7 minutes for optimal flavor and benefits. For a stronger taste, steep up to 10 minutes.
- For a sun-soaked tea, steep the hibiscus in a clear pitcher under direct sunlight for 2-3 hours for a naturally brewed and vibrant flavor.
- Brew the hibiscus tea a day ahead and keep it chilled in the fridge to make this recipe come together super fast.
- Start with the minimum recommended amount of maple syrup and gradually add more to suit your taste.
- Serve over ice in a tall glass and garnish with fresh strawberry slices, a lemon wheel, and a sprig of mint for a picture-perfect presentation.
- This drink is best enjoyed fresh, but you can refrigerate it for up to 2-3 days. Store in an airtight pitcher or bottle to maintain freshness and flavor.
I love pairing hibiscus tea lemonade with fresh, easy sides like my simple cowboy caviar, pinto bean salad, and this southwest pasta salad. For something a little more filling, it's also great alongside a crispy tofu bowl with cilantro lime rice.
Hibiscus Tea Lemonade FAQs
Yes, brew the hibiscus tea up to 2-3 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. This makes it easy to assemble, and it comes together fast.
Yes, frozen strawberries work great and even help cool the drink without extra ice.
Absolutely! Besides making a refreshing lemonade, hibiscus tea can be used in cocktails, smoothies, and even in cooking to add a tart flavor and vibrant color to dishes.
Instead of maple syrup, you can use agave nectar, cane sugar, coconut sugar (dissolve in warm tea first so it’s not gritty), or honey if you're not vegan. I haven’t tested all of these myself, so you may need to adjust amounts and taste as you go.
Did you try this recipe? Let me know what you thought by leaving a comment below and sharing it on Instagram, Facebook, & Pinterest! 💛
📖 Recipe
Hibiscus Tea Strawberry Lemonade Refresher
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Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 2 hibiscus tea bags, OR 2 tablespoons of dried hibiscus flowers
- ½ cup strawberries
- ¼ cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup, adjust to taste, see Notes for substitutions
- Optional toppings: Extra sliced strawberries and lemon slices, and/or fresh mint leaves.
Instructions
- Hibiscus tea: In a tea kettle, start by bringing your water to a boil. Once boiling, remove from heat, and place hibiscus tea bags (OR dried hibiscus flowers) into the kettle. Steep for 5-7 minutes (the longer it sits, the stronger your tea will be). Then, take out the tea bags (or strain out the flowers), and let the tea cool.
- Strawberry puree: Wash and slice your strawberries and add them to a blender along with ¼ cup of the cooled hibiscus tea. Puree (blend until smooth), and optionally strain through a fine mesh sieve or nut milk bag for a smoother texture.
- In a large pitcher, combine the remaining cooled hibiscus tea, strawberry puree, lemon juice, and maple syrup. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust to your liking: For more sweetness, add more syrup, and for more tartness, add more lemon juice. Pour over ice and garnish with lemon slices, more fresh strawberries, and a sprig or two of mint. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- You can brew the hibiscus tea up to 2-3 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. This will save time when you’re ready to make the lemonade. If the tea is already made and chilled, the recipe takes about 10 minutes to prepare.
- Maple syrup can be substituted with agave nectar (start with slightly less), date syrup, or honey (if you’re not vegan). If using honey, keep in mind it'll be just a touch sweeter, and you'll need to stir it in while the tea is still warm so it dissolves easily.
Nutrition
Julie Gaeta is a plant-based recipe creator, certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, and mom of nine who's been plant-based for over 20 years. She's cooked approximately 4,382 pots of beans and can't vacation without her juicer and pasta pot. Her work has been featured in HuffPost, Yahoo, YourTango, and other major outlets. She helps others simplify wellness and feel good again through her blog, coaching, and weekly newsletter.
Julie Gaeta says
I absolutely love making this during strawberry season, though it’s delicious anytime! It’s a perfect balance of tart and sweet—and disappears fast! Enjoy!
Ina Grice says
What if you don’t like MAPLE . Anything else I can use
Julie Gaeta says
You could use agave nectar (start with just slightly less), date syrup, or honey (if you’re not vegan). Honey is just a touch sweeter. If using, just be sure to stir it in while the tea is still warm so it dissolves easily. Hope this helps! 😊