This elderberry hibiscus sun tea combines simmered elderberries, hibiscus, citrus, fresh mint, and ginger for a fruity, refreshing summer drink. Naturally caffeine-free and beautifully ruby-red, it's an easy make-ahead tea that's delicious served over ice.
Also try my hot and cold brew hibiscus tea recipe, pineapple hibiscus tea, and hibiscus strawberry lemonade.
🔍 A Quick Look: Elderberry Hibiscus Sun Tea
- 📝 Recipe Name: Elderberry Hibiscus Sun Tea
- 🕒 Total Time: 30 minutes active + 2-4 hours sun steeping
- 👥 Servings: 6 servings
- 🎯 Key Ingredients: Dried elderberries, hibiscus, clementine, lemon, fresh mint, and ginger
- 🌱 Dietary Info: Vegan, vegetarian, plant-based, caffeine-free
- ✨ Best For: Summer entertaining, make-ahead drinks, hydration, and herbal tea lovers
- 💕 Why You'll Love It: Deep berry flavor, bright citrus notes, and a simple sun-steeping method that creates a beautiful ruby-red tea.
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A glass jar of elderberry hibiscus sun tea is one of my favorite summer traditions.
One of the things I love most about this elderberry tea is how hands-off it is. The only active step is simmering the elderberries for 15 to 20 minutes. After that, everything goes into a glass jar to steep in the sun while the flavors slowly come together.
The elderberries add a deep berry flavor, while hibiscus brings brightness and a beautiful ruby-red color. Fresh citrus, mint, and ginger keep the tea light, refreshing, and perfect for warm summer afternoons.
Why This Recipe Works
- Simmered Elderberries Build Flavor. Simmering dried elderberries helps extract their deep berry flavor and prepares them for brewing.
- Hibiscus Adds Brightness. Hibiscus balances the elderberries with a refreshing tartness and gives the tea its vibrant ruby-red color.
- Citrus, Mint, and Ginger Create Balance. Clementine, lemon, mint, and ginger add fresh layers of flavor that keep the tea light and refreshing.
- Perfect for Summer. This make-ahead herbal tea is easy to prepare and tastes especially refreshing served cold over ice.
You might also enjoy iced green tea lemonade recipe, homemade blueberry lemonade, and this calming herbal tea recipe. For more ideas, check out these easy drink recipes.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here's what you'll need to make the elderberry tea.
- Dried Elderberries: Use dried elderberries, not fresh. Simmering them first helps extract flavor and makes them safe to drink.
- Dried Hibiscus: Loose hibiscus flowers or flor de jamaica give the boldest color and flavor. You can substitute hibiscus tea bags if needed.
- Clementine & Lemon: These brighten the tea and complement the elderberries and hibiscus. You can substitute an orange for the clementine if needed.
See the recipe card below for exact amounts and measurements.
Tested Tips
- Using filtered water improves overall taste and quality.
- Experiment with steeping time. A shorter steeping time results in milder flavors, while a longer steeping time (up to 4 hours) gives a more intense flavor.
- If you prefer a sweetener, try a touch of maple syrup or honey (if you're not vegan). Add while the sun tea is still warm, so it dissolves naturally.
- For the best flavor, simmer the elderberries gently rather than boiling aggressively. A gentle simmer helps extract flavor without reducing too much liquid.
Next, try this easy homemade horchata my watermelon juice recipe, or this agua fresca recipe. Or for more ideas, check out these easy drink recipes.
Make It Your Way
- Berry Version: Add a handful of raspberries or strawberries.
- Extra Citrus: Add orange wheels or grapefruit.
- Fresh Herbs: Try basil, lemon balm, or additional mint.
- Spiced Version: Add a cinnamon stick or a few cardamom pods.
You might also like pineapple peel tea (hot or iced) or this spiced pumpkin chai latte.
Perfect Pairings
Serve hibiscus elderberry tea with:
- Fresh fruit platters with creamy vegan fruit dip
- Cowboy caviar salad or pinto bean salad
- Mango avo salsa or salsa pico de gallo
- Garlic lovers pasta salad or southwestern pasta salad
It's especially refreshing for summer cookouts, picnics, and backyard gatherings.
Storage & Meal Prep
- To Store: Keep the strained tea in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For Meal Prep: Make a batch ahead and serve over ice.
Pair this with a slice of vegan banana bread or oat bran muffins for a delicious afternoon snack.
Elderberry Hibiscus Sun Tea FAQs
Yes. Elderberries should always be simmered before use to extract flavor and prepare them for drinking.
Yes. To make elderberry hibiscus tea without the sun, first simmer the elderberries as directed. Then combine the elderberry-infused water with the hibiscus, citrus, mint, and ginger and let it steep in the refrigerator for 6–8 hours or overnight before straining and serving.
It’s optional. I like it unsweetened, but you can add maple syrup, agave, or honey (if not vegan) while the tea is still warm, so it dissolves smoothly.
Elderberries add a deep berry flavor that balances the tartness of hibiscus tea. Together, elderberries and hibiscus create a fruity, refreshing herbal tea with a richer flavor than hibiscus alone.
Yes. If you don't have loose hibiscus flowers (flor de jamaica), substitute 6 hibiscus tea bags. For the best flavor and deepest ruby-red color, choose tea bags that contain only hibiscus with no additional ingredients.
More Refreshing Drinks
Looking for more refreshing drink recipes perfect for summer? Try these:
Did you try this recipe? Let me know what you thought by leaving a comment below and sharing it on Instagram, Facebook, & Pinterest! 💛
📖 Recipe
Elderberry Hibiscus Sun Tea
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Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons dried elderberries
- 8 cups water
- 2 tablespoons dried hibiscus or flor de jamaica, or 2-3 hibiscus tea bags
- 1 clementine, quartered
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 6-8 fresh mint leaves
- 1- inch piece of ginger, sliced, and peeled if not organic
Instructions
- Bring 8 cups of water and the elderberries to a boil in a saucepan.
- Simmer for 15–20 minutes.
- While that is simmering, add hibiscus, clementine, lemon, mint, and ginger to a large glass jar with a cover. Set aside.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat once finished, and strain out the elderberries.
- Pour the elderberry-infused water into the glass jar, making sure all the ingredients are submerged.
- Cover and place in the sun to steep for 2–4 hours, depending on how strong you like the flavor.
- Once finished, transfer to a pitcher filled with ice cubes and additional garnishes of fruit and mint. Alternatively, refrigerate it in an airtight container to keep it fresh and chilled.
Notes
- Plan for an additional 2–4 hours of steeping time in the sun after the elderberries have simmered.
- Elderberries should always be simmered before use.
- For the best flavor and color, use loose hibiscus flowers (flor de jamaica).
- To make without sun steeping, simmer the elderberries as directed, then refrigerate the tea for 6–8 hours or overnight before straining.
- This tea is naturally tart and fruity. Taste it before adding any sweetener, as many people enjoy it unsweetened. If you prefer a sweetener, try a touch of maple syrup or honey (if you're not vegan). Add while the tea is still warm so it dissolves naturally.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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.
Katie says
It's elderberry harvesting season so this recipe is perfect. So delicious with many variations and bonus for all the immunity properties. Thanks for a wonderful and healthy tea!
Julie Gaeta says
So happy to hear! Thanks for sharing — elderberry season really is the perfect time for this tea.
Julie Gaeta says
We’ve been making this one all summer. It’s easy and I love how the hibiscus and elderberry come together — tart, bold, and super refreshing over ice. A go-to for hot afternoons!