A sweet-tart drink, this brightly-hued cocktail is made with a hibiscus simple syrup, vodka, and grapefruit juice. From breakfast drinks to happy hour, this delicious cocktail fits the bill!
Tart cocktails necessitate just the right amount of sweetness. Sweet but not too sweet.
The vibrant bloom from the hibiscus flowering plant is used for tea and is known for its tart flavor and red-pink color.
For this cocktail, hibiscus strikes a beautiful balance with the citrus and honey-based simple syrup in this recipe. Try this at-home cocktail and add it to your mixed drink repertoire!
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Hibiscus adds a tart flavor and subtle floral notes to your cocktail for a tropical feel. A twist on the Sea Breeze cocktail, it replaces the tart flavor of cranberry juice. Plus, you can't beat that gorgeous color!
- The homemade syrup can be used for multiple cocktails. The simple syrup is great with iced tea, ice cream, Italian sodas, and other non-alcoholic drinks!
- You can also use this simple syrup as a substitute in this champagne earl grey spritzer.
Ingredients and substitutions
Here are a few quick notes about the ingredients in this recipe. You can see a complete list of ingredients and instructions in the full recipe card below.
Hibiscus tea - Tea bags are an easy way to make a hibiscus infusion and can be found in most grocery stores. If using dried flowers instead of tea bags, use a ¼ cup of dried flowers.
Grapefruit juice - Store-bought or fresh pink grapefruit juice works well in this recipe and pairs well with the tart and floral flavor of hibiscus.
Honey - This natural sweetener pairs perfectly with the tart tea and grapefruit elements.
To make this drink vegan, substitute the honey for agave syrup in the same amount called for in the recipe.
Vodka - Use your vodka of choice. It makes for a light, refreshing cocktail! If you prefer, gin can be used as well.
Step-by-step instructions
Before you start: Set out a small saucepan, hibiscus tea, and honey.
Step 1: Place 1 cup of water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add the tea. Allow steeping for 10 minutes.
Step: 2: Remove the tea bags from the hot water and add the honey, stirring until it has completely dissolved. Let the syrup cool completely.
Step 3: Transfer simple syrup into an airtight container.
Step 4: Place fresh ice cubes in a cocktail glass. Add grapefruit juice, vodka, hibiscus simple syrup, and lemon juice. Stir to combine. Garnish the hibiscus vodka cocktail with a grapefruit slice, edible flowers, or lemon wedge if desired.
Equipment
From start to finish, here are the tools you'll need to make your hibiscus syrup and cocktail. No cocktail shaker is required.
- A medium saucepan for making the hibiscus syrup
- A strainer (if using dried hibiscus flowers)
- Jigger or measuring spoons and liquid measuring cup
- Cocktail glasses
FAQs
You can use dried hibiscus flowers in place of hibiscus tea bags. When doing so, use a ¼ cup of dried hibiscus flowers.
Infused simple syrup can be stored for 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator.
This hibiscus cocktail recipe works well with fresh grapefruit juice or store-bought 100% grapefruit juice.
More easy cocktail recipes
Love this recipe? Please consider leaving a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below and let me know what you think in the comments!
📖 Recipe
Grapefruit Hibiscus Cocktail
Equipment
- Cocktail Glass
- Strainer optional
Ingredients
Hibiscus Simple Syrup
- 2 hibiscus tea bags or ¼ cup dried hibiscus flowers
- 1 cup honey or agave syrup
- 1 cup water
Grapefruit Hibiscus Cocktail
- 3 ounces fresh or store-bought pink grapefruit juice (1 medium grapefruit yields 6-8 ounces of juice)
- 1.5 ounces vodka
- ¾ ounce hibiscus simple syrup
- ¼ ounce fresh lemon juice
Instructions
To Make the Simple Syrup
- Place 1 cup of water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add hibiscus tea. Allow to steep for 10 minutes.
- Remove the tea bags and add the honey, stirring until it has completely dissolved. Let syrup cool completely and then transfer to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks.
To Make the Cocktail
- Place fresh ice cubes in a cocktail glass. Add grapefruit juice, vodka, hibiscus simple syrup, and lemon juice. Stir to combine. Garnish with lemon wedge or wheel if desired.
Notes
- Tea bags are an easy way to make a hibiscus infusion and can be found in most grocery stores. If using dried hibiscus flowers instead of tea bags, use a ¼ cup of dried flowers.
- Store-bought or fresh red grapefruit juice works well in this recipe. 1 medium grapefruit yields 6-8 ounces of juice.
- Agave syrup can be substituted for honey and makes a good vegan option.
- Extra hibiscus simple syrup can be used for multiple cocktails, iced tea, ice cream, Italian sodas, and more!
bella
Love this combination...and the color resulting color is so vibrant!
Traci | Vanilla And Bean
Road trips are the best, shorter or long... Rob and I love them too. Seattle is just a few hours away. Far enough to be away, but close enough to head to the city when we feel the urge. Like Chicago, there's so much to do and see. It's a beautiful city. This cocktail is lovely. Just what I like cold, sweet and fruity! Thank you for this Tessa! Beautiful work!
Rakhee@boxofspice
Oh this cocktail looks exactly what I need right now, even though its middle of the day. But it is 95 degrees here in India so I think that's a good excuse isn't it? This gorgeous drink is pinned! :)
Tessa
Oh my goodness - yes! You totally can have this cocktail at any time of day if it is 95 degrees out. :) Thank you my dear! xo.
genevieve @ gratitude & greens
This cocktail is making me wish for patio weather! It's still snowing in Toronto (boo) but hopefully warmer weather is around the corner and I can enjoy this gorgeous cocktail!
Tessa
Boo to snow! We had patio weather here this weekend but it was so, so windy. We're getting there. ;) Thank you for your kind words, Genevieve!! xo.
Kimberly/TheLittlePlantation
I don't drink alcohol but I can so imagine this working well alcohol free too. Yum. Thanks for sharing.
Tessa
Ohh, I think it definitely would - I will have to try that too! Thanks, Kimberly! <3
Tori//Gringalicious
This drink look so sweet and refreshing. The perfect thing to sip on a warm Spring afternoon!
Tessa
It certainly would be - I can't wait for patio weather! Thanks, Tori!