Hibiscus & Ginger Recipe

Make the flavored concentrate

In a medium saucepan combine 6 cups water, 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers, and 2 oz thinly sliced fresh ginger. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer gently for 10 minutes to extract color and flavor from the hibiscus and ginger.

Add sweetener while hot: Remove the pan from heat and stir in 1 cup granulated sugar (or equivalent honey/simple syrup) until fully dissolved. Taste and adjust sweetness if desired. Let the mixture cool slightly for 10–15 minutes.

Strain the infusion: Using a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth, strain the liquid into a heatproof bowl or pitcher to remove hibiscus petals and ginger slices. Press gently on the solids to extract remaining liquid. Discard solids. Chill the concentrate to room temperature, then refrigerate until cold (about 1 hour).

Prepare citrus: While the concentrate chills, squeeze fresh limes to collect 3 tablespoons lime juice and squeeze fresh oranges to collect 1 cup orange juice. Reserve some orange and lime wheels for garnish.

Assemble the drink (pitcher method): In a 2-quart pitcher combine the chilled hibiscus-ginger concentrate (about 4 cups) with the 1 cup fresh orange juice and 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice. Stir to combine. Add 4 cups cold soda water and stir gently to retain carbonation. Taste and adjust balance: add more soda for lighter flavor, more sweetener if too tart, or an extra tablespoon of lime for brightness.

Serve: Fill 4 tall glasses with about 1/2 to 3/4 cup ice each (roughly 1.5 cups per glass). Pour the hibiscus & ginger mixture over ice, dividing evenly (about 1 1/4 cups per glass). Garnish each glass with a lime wheel and an orange wheel on the rim or floated on top.

Alternative single-serve (sparkling mocktail): For one serving combine 1/2 cup chilled hibiscus-ginger concentrate, 1/4 cup orange juice, 1 teaspoon lime juice in a glass with ice, top with 1 cup soda water and garnish.

Storage: Store leftover concentrate (without soda) in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Add soda and ice only when ready to serve to preserve fizz.