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Homemade Hibiscus Syrup Infused with Orange Peel and Cloves

ByKristen Wood Last updated

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Hibiscus syrup is a fragrant and colorful ingredient that gets a vibrant twist from orange peels and cloves! It offers a blend of tart, citrusy, spiced, and floral notes that work beautifully in many dishes. Use it to add a gourmet touch to everyday meals!

A metal spoon with a small amount of hibiscus syrup rests on a wooden surface scattered with dried flower petals.
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A Note From Kristen

If you love mixers, you’re in for a treat! My homemade hibiscus syrup is a fantastic alternative to store-bought brands. Infusing it with orange zest and whole cloves makes the flavor brighter and more layered. Plus, you won’t find any additives or artificial ingredients here. I like to keep a small bottle in the fridge to drizzle over pancakes, granola, or even sparkling water. It feels like a secret ingredient, one that’s too good not to share with you. Enjoy!
~Kristen

A silver spoon with a small amount of hibiscus syrup rests on a wooden surface scattered with dried tea leaves.

Ingredient Notes

Please keep in mind that this is just a quick overview. Visit the full recipe for amounts and instructions!

  • Dried Hibiscus Petals (hibiscus flowers): Provides a tart, fruity, and floral flavor to the syrup. Their red color also makes the hibiscus syrup visually striking. 
  • Water: Acts as the base that extracts the flavors from the rest of the ingredients. It also dissolves the sugar, which turns the mixture into a smooth, pourable liquid. 
  • Cane Sugar: Adds sweetness to balance the tartness of the hibiscus petals and spice of the cloves. You can use another granulated sweetener like brown sugar or coconut sugar, just keep in mind the color and flavor will vary slightly.
  • Orange Zest: Provides brightness and citrusy taste that lifts the mixer.
  • Whole Cloves: Contribute warmth and spice that make the syrup taste more complex.
  • Salt: Improves the natural flavors of the ingredients, making them more vibrant. 
A spoon with dark red hibiscus syrup sits on a wooden surface near scattered dried herbs, a glass of dark beverage, and orange slices.

How to Make Hibiscus Simple Syrup

01

SIMMER

Combine the hibiscus, water, sugar, orange zest, cloves, and salt in a saucepan, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, then remove from the heat and let steep for another 10 minutes.

A close-up of hibiscus syrup, its dark red liquid and small red fragments nestled in a speckled gray metal bowl on a wooden surface.

02

STRAIN AND COOL

Strain into a glass jar or bottle and cool completely.

A close-up of a metal bowl containing a mixture of cooked black rice and red bell pepper pieces, lightly drizzled with hibiscus syrup.

03

ENJOY

Chill or use right away!

Top view of an open brown glass bottle with a swing-top cap, filled with hibiscus syrup, placed on a wooden surface next to a sliced orange.

Serving Ideas

  • Mix into black or green iced tea.
  • Use as a cocktail mixer for rum or gin.
  • Combine with soda water to create a mocktail or flavored non-alcoholic drink.
  • Use to create a hibiscus mojito or other craft cocktails.
  • Drizzle over oatmeal, granola, waffles, or pancakes.
  • Swirl into ice cream or yogurt.
  • Use as a glaze for cake layers or donuts.
  • Use as a dressing for fruit salad.  
A glass bottle filled with dark hibiscus syrup sits on a wooden surface, next to orange slices, scattered dried flowers, and a spoon with some of the vibrant liquid.
A silver spoon with a small amount of hibiscus syrup rests on a wooden surface scattered with dried hibiscus petals.

My Favorite Way to Enjoy Hibiscus Syrup

This syrup is a component of one of my favorite midday drinks. I love to add a few tablespoons to a glass with a splash of lime juice and then top off with plain sparkling water. It’s super delicious and refreshing!

A glass bottle filled with dark hibiscus syrup, a spoon with red residue, two orange slices, and scattered dried petals on a wooden surface.

Kristen’s Top Tips

  • Use whole petals of dried flowers instead of powdered hibiscus for the best flavor and color.
  • If you want a thicker, more concentrated syrup, reduce it over medium heat for a few more minutes. Don’t overcook it, though, or the syrup might caramelize instead.
  • Some great flavor variations include adding the following ingredients:
    • Spices like fresh ginger slices, cinnamon sticks, vanilla bean, star anise, or cardamom pods.
    • Lemon juice or lime zest.
    • Dried rose petals.
    • Mint, basil, or thyme.
A spoon with hibiscus syrup, a small glass bottle filled with red liquid, dried flower petals, and orange slices on a wooden surface.

More Delicious Syrup Recipes

A silver spoon with a small amount of hibiscus syrup rests on a wooden surface scattered with dried tea leaves.

Hibiscus Syrup Recipe

Author: Kristen Wood
36kcal
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Prep 5 minutes
Cook 10 minutes
Steeping Time 10 minutes
Total 25 minutes
This homemade hibiscus syrup recipe creates a vibrant, delicious, and tangy addition to your drinks, desserts, and more.
Servings 16 servings
Course Condiments
Cuisine African
Diet Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
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Ingredients

  • 1 cup dried hibiscus petals
  • 1½ cups water
  • ¾ cup cane sugar
  • zest of ½ orange use a peeler for wide strips
  • 2 whole cloves
  • 1/16 teaspoon salt just a pinch!

Method

  1. Combine the hibiscus, water, sugar, orange zest, cloves and salt in a saucepan.
  2. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
  3. Remove from the heat and let steep another 10 minutes.
  4. Strain into a glass jar or bottle and cool completely.
  5. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
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Notes

Storage
Store the hibiscus syrup in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks in a Mason jar or airtight container.
For longer storage, I recommend freezing it in freezer-safe jars, ice cube trays, or silicone molds. 
 

Nutrition

Serving2tablespoonsCalories36kcalCarbohydrates9gProtein0.001gFat0.03gSaturated Fat0.001gPolyunsaturated Fat0.002gMonounsaturated Fat0.001gSodium2mgPotassium3mgFiber0.01gSugar9gVitamin A44IUCalcium2mgIron0.02mg

Nutritional information is automatically calculated using a third-party calculator and is an estimate only.

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Kristen is a writer, photographer, recipe developer, and certified functional nutrition expert. She is also the author of Fermented Hot Sauce Cookbook, Vegetarian Family Cookbook, and Hot Sauce Cookbook for Beginners. Her work has been featured in various print and online publications including Elle, NBC, Chicago Sun-Times, Martha Stewart, MSN, New York Daily News, Healthline, and many more. Kristen is also a syndicated writer for The Associated Press.

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