Tart and refreshing, this hibiscus plum iced tea is the perfect option for hot summer days! Cinnamon stick lends a subtle spice and lemon peel adds a pop of citrus. If you’d like to head straight to this vegan and gluten free recipe, make sure to scroll down to the bottom of the post!
Last year I grew roselle hibiscus in my garden for the first time. It’s a hibiscus variety that yields edible ruby-red calyces that can be harvested and dried for use in teas, syrups, or anything else you can dream up. Since we had such a warm fall last year, I was able to keep them growing until the first day of this year. After harvesting and drying the last of the calyces, I set them aside in a jar. I knew I’d most likely wait to use them in something special since so much time and effort went into the growing and harvesting process.
Fast forward to this summer. It’s vying to be the hottest ever recorded here in Houston and my body is definitely feeling it each and every day. The intense heat is relentless, matched only by the suffocating humidity every single morning. It’s the kind of weather that makes you want to turn off all the lights, crank the AC down, and hibernate with a cold beverage until cool weather returns. It’s also the kind of weather that is perfect for a big batch of hibiscus iced tea!
Why Hibiscus is a Great Herb for the Summer
Hibiscus has so many great benefits for the body namely it’s ability to help cool it by allowing it to release heat from within. It’s also high in antioxidants and can fight inflammation in the body. Plus, its tart and zingy flavor is thirst-quenching and refreshing in the summer heat! It pairs really well with other cooling herbs like mint, rose, and lemon balm.
How to Make Hibiscus Plum Iced Tea
You’ll need dried hibiscus which can be found in the bulk section of some grocery stores or at online herb purveyors like Mountain Rose Herbs. You’ll also need whole cinnamon sticks which are commonly available in the spice section of most grocery stores. Lastly, you’ll need a small lemon and a few plums. Everything will go into a quart-sized jar. Then, you’ll pour boiling water over everything and let it infuse for 2-3 hours. Once you strain it, the tea can be enjoyed over ice. You can sweeten the tea to you liking once it’s made, either with honey, agave, or any other option that you prefer. Or, you can leave it as-is!
Want more roselle hibiscus recipes? Try it out in this roselle ginger syrup or this hibiscus mulberry fizz.
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Hibiscus Plum Iced Tea
- Total Time: 2-3 hours
- Yield: 2–3 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Tart and refreshing, this hibiscus plum iced tea is the perfect option for hot summer days! Cinnamon stick lends a subtle spice and lemon peel adds a pop of citrus.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp dried hibiscus
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 small lemon
- 1 cup diced fresh plums, from about 2-3 plums
- your favorite sweetener, optional
Instructions
Add the dried hibiscus to a quart-sized jar. Break the cinnamon stick into several pieces then add it to the jar as well. Using a vegetable peeler or a paring knife, remove the peel from the lemon and add it to the jar, too. Lastly, add your diced plums.
Bring about a quart of water to a boil. Pour the water over the contents of the jar, filling it up to within an inch of the top. Cover the top of the jar with the lid, then allow it to infuse on the counter for 2-3 hours. I went with 3 hours because I liked the flavor better but make sure to taste it around 2 hours and use your judgement for your own taste preferences.
Once your tea has infused, strain out all of the solids. At this point you can add a sweetener to your tea if you like. I ended up using about 2-3 tbsp of agave syrup.
Serve your tea over ice and enjoy! You can keep leftovers in the fridge but make sure to drink them within 5 days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Steep Time: 2-3 hours
- Category: drink
