• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Playful Cooking
  • About
    • Know Me
    • Contact
    • My Cookbook
    • Mention
    • Amazon Storefront
  • Recipes
  • Tutorials
    • How To Style Curries
    • Play with Light
    • ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed
    • Live Zoom on Food Styling
  • Hire Me
  • Portfolio
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Know Me
  • My Cookbook
  • Portfolio
  • Hire Me
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Spice and Condiment

    Hibiscus Syrup

    February 15, 2013 by Kankana Saxena

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    There are different categories of people when it comes to celebrating Valentine’s Day. Some love it, some hate it and some make fun of it. I fall in a different group, the one with folks who like to celebrate any day that calls for yummy food, good drinks and quality time with your loved ones! And irrespective of the occasion falling on a weekend or a busy weekday, our kind figures out some way to make it special. I cherish this day, which is celebrated all across the globe where every one is speaking one single language - Love! The day is filled with chocolates, champagne, roses, love notes, kisses and the world is painted red.

     

    Keeping in mind the color of love, I have this sexy red, flavorful hibiscus syrup for you. Drizzle a little on fruit or salad vinaigrette, swirl it on ice cream or yogurt and on a special evening, stir it with your choice of alcohol and get a little tipsy.

     

    hibiscus syrup @ Sunshine and Smile

     

    Vodka with hibiscus and citrus @ Sunshine and Smile

     

    Vodka with hibiscus and citrus @ Sunshine and Smile

     

    Our Valentine’s Day was like any other busy weekday except with more yumminess involved.  There was a grown up version of mac and cheese for lunch, a citrusy cocktail and gnocchi with basil pesto for dinner followed by late night chocolate fudge cake. Eating out would have been more relaxing but then again, who likes to spend a romantic evening in a crowded restaurant. While he was busy at work, I stayed active in my tiny kitchen preparing our favorites.

     

    dried hibiscus flowers for hibiscus syrup @ Sunshine and Smile

     

    Vodka with hibiscus and citrus @ Sunshine and Smile

     

    Good homemade syrup always comes handy. It’s easy to make and you can flavor it the way you like. I added some ginger, lemon peels and couple of star anise in it. As it boiled, the color got darker, it released the flavor and in about 15 minutes or so, I had a bottle of hibiscus syrup ready to be used.

     

    Recipe card for Hibiscus Syrup @ Playful Cooking

    Hibiscus Syrup

    Kankana Saxena
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Servings 0

    Ingredients
     

    • 4 cups water
    • ¾ cup dried hibiscus flowers
    • 1 inch ginger (finely grated)
    • 2 whole star anise
    • zest of 1 lemon
    • 1 cup sugar (add more if you like it sweeter)
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt

    Instructions
     

    • In a deep pan, mix all the ingredients and bring it to a boil.
    • Once it starts to boil, reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
    • Turn off the heat, cover it with a lid and let it steep for 5 more minutes.
    • Strain it through a sieve and store the syrup in an airtight bottle.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Servings

    Did you ever make hibiscus syrup? If yes, where did you use it later? I am looking for more ideas, please share with me if you have any!

     

    Recipe card for Hibiscus Syrup @ Sunshine and Smile

     

    More Spice and Condiment

    • Pineapple cowboy candy
      Pineapple Cowboy Candy
    • Immune boosting drink - turmeric ginger cubes
      Ginger and Turmeric Cubes
    • Bathua Raita
      Bathua Raita
    • Beetroot Bean Dip
      Beetroot Bean Dip

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mercy

      May 07, 2013 at 4:46 am

      You inspired me to make hibicus simple syrup frozen ice cubes for my iced tea. Thank you!

    2. Geraldine Nuttall

      April 25, 2013 at 10:12 am

      so pleased to find this recipe. Brought hibiscus dried flowers back from Egypt and wondered how to make a preserve for them Have only had already made syrup with flowers, but wanted to make my own. I hope to take them (300miles) to use in sparkling wine for grandaughter's wedding next week!! Any tips on how to keep flowers afloat in ordinary wine glasses?

    3. Hari Chandana

      March 15, 2013 at 4:03 am

      Wowww.. looks too good and awesome.. Love the color 🙂

    4. Ileana

      February 24, 2013 at 8:12 am

      Wow! I'm so happy to have discovered your blog. I'm a big fan of hibiscus tea but I'd never seen a recipe for the syrup before. Your photography is beautiful. I'm your newest fan.

    5. reese@SeasonwithSpic

      February 21, 2013 at 8:40 am

      This is one hot sexy drink to make on the Valentine's Day! Hibiscus is Malaysia's national flower, so it is definitely a great idea for me to keep a bottle at home whenever we have guests over.

    6. IshitaUnblogged

      February 20, 2013 at 12:27 pm

      Oh my God! Totally stumped by this post... I had a Hibiscus Drink in one of my holidays recently but absolutely forgot to ask the resort how they made it. I think this is the most beautiful post in your blog till now, or is it the love factor that's making me think this way? Sharing... and drooling!

    7. Princy

      February 19, 2013 at 11:17 pm

      lovely syrup:) amazing pictures.

    « Older Comments

    Primary Sidebar

    About

    Hey there! I am Kankana and this is my culinary space where I unfold memories, share stories and try new flavours. Easy effortless cooking with fresh ingredients is my mantra and I like to carry that in my everyday meal.

    Learn more about me →

    Seasonal

    • Congee With Miso Sauce
    • Apple cake
      Apple Cake
    • Creamy Garlic Mushroom Soup
    • How To Make Makhani Sauce

    Cookbook

    cookbook front cover
    Taste of Eastern India has an array of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, street foods, snacks, drinks, comfort hearty food, desserts and some long-lost dishes.
    Learn More and Order

    Subscribe

    Kitchen tips and tricks
    Receive exclusive articles and eBooks on Kitchen Tips and Tricks, Photography Tutorial, Meal Prep Ideas and Simple Recipes for Busy Lifestyle. Plus Weekly Fresh Seasonal Recipes.


    Footer

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Portfolio

    Copyright © 2011-2023 Playful Cooking. All content on this blog is copyrighted. It may not be republished in part or whole without permission and proper credit. Please contact me to seek republishing or syndication rights.