Refreshing Hibiscus Rose Iced Tea with Honey and Fresh Lemon
A floral and tart iced tea made by steeping dried hibiscus and rose petals, sweetened with honey and brightened with fresh lemon juice. Perfect for a refreshing, caffeine-free drink on warm days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: Herbal
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/4 cup dried hibiscus petals (about 15 grams)
- 2 tablespoons dried rose petals
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup honey (85 to 113 grams)
- Juice of 1 large lemon (about 2 tablespoons or 30 ml)
- 4 cups filtered water (1 liter)
- Ice cubes for serving
- Optional: fresh mint leaves for garnish
- Optional: thin lemon slices for garnish
Instructions
- Bring 4 cups (1 liter) of filtered water to a rolling boil in a medium saucepan.
- Remove the boiling water from heat and stir in 1/4 cup dried hibiscus petals and 2 tablespoons dried rose petals. Stir gently to submerge all petals.
- Cover the pot and let the petals steep for 10 to 15 minutes until the water turns a rich ruby red.
- Strain the tea through a fine mesh strainer into a heatproof bowl or pitcher, pressing lightly on the petals to extract extra flavor without causing bitterness.
- While the tea is still warm, stir in 1/4 to 1/3 cup honey, adjusting to taste.
- Allow the tea to cool at room temperature for about 20 minutes, then stir in fresh lemon juice from 1 large lemon.
- Transfer the tea to a glass pitcher and refrigerate for at least 1 hour until thoroughly chilled.
- Serve the hibiscus rose iced tea over ice cubes in tall glasses. Garnish with fresh lemon slices and mint leaves if desired.
Notes
Do not oversteep the petals to avoid bitterness; 15 minutes max is recommended. Add honey while the tea is warm but not boiling to preserve honey’s nutrients and flavor. Fresh lemon juice is preferred over bottled for brightness. Adjust honey amount to balance tartness. Store tea covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. For a vegan version, substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 ounces (240 ml)
- Calories: 6080
- Sugar: 16
- Sodium: 5
- Carbohydrates: 17
Keywords: hibiscus iced tea, rose iced tea, honey lemon drink, floral iced tea, refreshing summer drink, caffeine-free iced tea, homemade iced tea