Easy Hibiscus Lemonade (Starbucks Copycat!)
This homemade Hibiscus lemonade is a vibrant, ruby-red drink made with hibiscus herbal tea, fresh lemon juice, and sugar or honey for the perfect sweet-tart balance. The tea bags are gently simmered in water to draw out that deep color and naturally tangy flavor, then combined with citrus and your favorite sweetener. The result is a refreshing lemonade that you’ll want to drink all summer long.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4½ cups water divided
- 1/3 cup honey or granulated sugar plus more if needed
- 4 Buddha Teas Hibiscus Tea Bags
- 1 cup lemon juice freshly squeezed is best
- Optional: mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Heat 3 cups of water on the stovetop over medium heat until it comes to a boil.
- Turn off heat, then stir in honey or granulated sugar until dissolved. Add the hibiscus tea bags and steep for 20 minutes. Squeeze the tea bags and discard.
- Add the remaining 1½ cups of water and lemon juice.
- Chill in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Optional step: Muddle mint leaves in the glasses you'll be serving in.
- Add ice cubes to your glass then pour the lemonade in. Garnish with mint leaves, if using, then enjoy!
Notes
- If it tastes too tart, add sugar or honey one tablespoon at a time, stirring well before adjusting again. Small sweetness changes make a big difference with hibiscus.
- Don’t boil the tea bags. Turn off the heat before steeping to keep the color bright and prevent bitterness. A brownish brew usually means it was steeped too long or at too high a temperature.
- For a softer flavor, cold brew the tea bags in room-temperature water for several hours, then add lemon and sweetener.
- Want to turn it into a cocktail? Add 4-6 ounces of vodka to the pitcher.
- Add boba to the bottom of your lemonade following the instructions in my matcha bubble tea!
- Store leftovers in a sealed pitcher or jar in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Give it a stir before serving, and enjoy!
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving - about 1½ cups | Calories: 99kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 78mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 4IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg