Blueberry Hibiscus Iced Tea
Here’s a fun fact about me: I have never had a cup of coffee—I am a tea drinker through and through! Lately, I’ve been swapping my afternoon caffeinated tea for an herbal option, which led me to hibiscus tea. Made from steeping the dried petals of the hibiscus flower in hot water, hibiscus tea is a gorgeous deep pink colour with a tart and refreshing flavour. I’ll be honest, I don’t love hibiscus tea hot, which is why I decided to use it as the base for an iced tea. Paired with a delicious honey-based blueberry syrup, Blueberry Hibiscus Iced Tea has been my afternoon drink of the summer to help keep me refreshed and hydrated.
Table of Contents
- Blueberry Hibiscus Iced Tea Ingredients
- What is Hibiscus Tea?
- Equipment
- Step 1—Steep the Hibiscus Tea
- Step 2—Make the Blueberry Syrup
- Step 3—Prepare your Blueberry Hibiscus Iced Tea
- More Refreshing Drinks
Blueberry Hibiscus Iced Tea Ingredients
To make Blueberry Hibiscus Iced Tea, you will need the following ingredients:
For the Hibiscus Tea:
- 1 tablespoon loose-leaf hibiscus tea, or two hibiscus tea bags
- 4 cups boiling water
- Juice of one lemon
For the Blueberry Syrup:
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/2 vanilla bean, seeds scraped out
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest, from approximately half a lemon
- Pinch of sea salt
What is Hibiscus Tea?
Hibiscus tea is actually not a tea at all. Technically, hibiscus tea is an herbal infusion or tisane made by infusing water with the dried petals of the hibiscus flower. Only teas containing leaves from the camellia sinensis plant are true teas. Everything else is qualified as either an herbal tea and/or a tisane.
With a tart and refreshing flavour profile and a gorgeous deep crimson colour, hibiscus produces a stunning and delicious iced tea.
Equipment
To make Blueberry Hibiscus Iced Tea, you will need the following equipment:
- One-litre glass jar: This is the vessel you will be using to steep and store the hibiscus tea.
- Tea ball or steeper: If you are using loose-leaf hibiscus tea, you will need a steeper to keep the tea contained while steeping. If you’re using tea bags, there’s no need to worry about this item.
- Small fine-mesh sieve: To strain the chunks of cooked-down blueberries from the blueberry syrup, you will need a small fine-mesh sieve.
Step 1—Steep the Hibiscus Tea
If you’re using a loose-leaf hibiscus tea, add the dried tea to a tea ball or steeper to make sure none of the petals leak into the water during steeping.
Place the tea ball, steeper, or tea bags in a clean, one-litre glass jar. Pour over the boiling water, then add the lemon juice and stir. Seal the jar and transfer the tea to the fridge to steep and chill. I find it is best to let the tea steep for eight hours or overnight. You want the tea to be cooled completely.
Step 2—Make the Blueberry Syrup
In a small saucepan, combine the blueberries, honey, water, lemon zest, vanilla bean, and a pinch of salt. Simmer over medium-low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Once the syrup has reduced a bit and the blueberries are all broken down, it is ready. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.
Place a small fine-mesh sieve over a small jar or bowl. Strain the syrup through the sieve to remove the chunks of blueberry. Make sure to keep the strained blueberry mixture because it is delicious! I like to have it spread on toast, pancakes, or with cheese and crackers. This recipe makes extra blueberry syrup, which can be stored in an airtight container or jar in the fridge for up to a week.
Step 3—Prepare your Blueberry Hibiscus Iced Tea
Now it’s time to tie it all together! Grab your favourite glass and fill it with ice. Pour in one ounce of the blueberry syrup, followed by one cup of the chilled hibiscus tea. Stir well, taste, and adjust the sweetness to your liking. Garnish with some fresh mint and enjoy!
More Refreshing Drinks
If you loved this Blueberry Hibiscus Iced Tea recipe, be sure to try these other refreshing drinks:
Cucumber Lemonade with Jalapeño
If you make it, please tag me on Pinterest or Instagram so I can see! I love to see what you all are making.
Feel free to leave any questions, comments, or reviews below. I love to hear from you!
Stay cool out there!
Blueberry Hibiscus Iced Tea
Equipment
- One-litre jar
- Tea ball/steeper (optional. Only needed if using loose-leaf tea)
- Small fine-mesh sieve
Ingredients
Hibiscus Tea
- 1 tablespoon loose-leaf hibiscus tea (or two hibiscus tea bags)
- 4 cups boiling water
- Juice of one lemon
Blueberry Syrup
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/2 vanilla bean, seeds scraped out
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest (from approximately half a lemon)
- Pinch of sea salt
Blueberry Hibiscus Iced Tea
- Ice
- 1 - 1½ ounces blueberry syrup (start with 1 oz, then adjust to preferred sweetness.)
- 1 cup iced hibiscus tea
- Fresh mint, to garnish (optional)
Instructions
Hibiscus Tea
- Add the tea ball/steeper of hibiscus tea, or hibiscus teabags, to a one-litre jar. Pour over the boiling water. Add the lemon juice and stir.
- Allow the tea to steep, covered in the fridge, for eight hours or overnight. You want the tea to be fully cooled before making your iced tea.
Blueberry Syrup
- To a small saucepan, add the blueberries, honey, water, vanilla bean, lemon zest, and a pinch of sea salt. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat.
- Simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the syrup has reduced and the blueberries have broken down.
- Place a small fine-mesh sieve over a small jar or bowl. Strain the syrup through the sieve to remove the chunks of blueberry. Be sure to save the chunky blueberry mixture! It is delicious and pairs beautifully with toast, pancakes, etc.
- Store the syrup in an airtight container or jar in the fridge for up to a week. This recipe makes more syrup than you'll need for an iced tea.
Blueberry Hibiscus Iced Tea
- Fill your favourite glass with ice. Add one ounce of the blueberry syrup, followed by one cup of the chilled hibiscus tea. Stir, taste, and adjust the sweetness to your liking. Garnish with some fresh mint and enjoy!
