Hibiscus soda

Next on tap for the non-alky spot in the warehouse’s kegerator? Hibiscus soda!

I love root beer, but the ingredients are expensive, and I’m still on the fence about adding caramel color to make it more appealing to the masses. So what other sodas can be kegged? Numerous ones – though I’m not a straight-up cola fan, and am generally not into fruit sodas either. However, our other brewer on the premises suggested a hibiscus soda – not unlike a common Mexican summer drink, oaxaca or sweet waters – made with jamaica (hibiscus), lime, cucumber, strawberries, or other summery ingredients. After checking out several recipes, I opted for the simplest: dried hibiscus blossoms, sugar and water. The test batch, completed Tuesday night came out with great color and flavor – even working with a recipe that listed “sugar: amount to taste”. I already liked hibiscus in herbal tea – this just brings it to an evening drink with the carbonation. It also competes with the trendy pomegranate drinks, since hibiscus is also high in Vitamin C.

The keg is carbonating for several days with 4 gallons of water – on Monday, I’ll make up what is essentially the hibiscus soda syrup in one gallon of water to be added to the keg and carbonated for an additional 3-4 days. That makes it ready to go for 4th of July weekend – and the following weekend’s art show. Here’s the basic recipe in case you feel like trying it – the non-keg, quick’n'dirty way to Hibiscuscarbonate is to make it with half the water and top up with club soda:

Hibiscus Soda

2 quarts water

1 cup dried hibiscus blossoms (at groceries stores in the West, or in Mexican markets)

1/2 cup sugar

Boil the hibiscus blossoms in the water for ~4 minutes. Let steep another 10-15 minutes and strain. Add the sugar and mix thoroughly. Carbonate and pour over ice. Makes 2 quarts (duh).

5 comments Saturday 27 Jun 2009 | | Announcements, Brewing, Crafty, Recipes

5 Responses to “Hibiscus soda”

  1. on 27 Jun 2009 at 6:17 pm   Dennis

    “I’m not a straight-up cola fan, and am generally not into fruit sodas either.”

    Translation: My name is m. and I don’t like anything that’s good. :P

  2. on 27 Jun 2009 at 8:25 pm   Barb

    This sounds fab! I never thought of doing a hibiscus syrup. Ginger for sure.

    I would assume it resembles Vess Cream Soda.
    But is sooo much tastier!

  3. on 05 Jul 2009 at 12:16 pm   m.

    Thanks, Barb! I think it tastes pretty floral – but I’ll get feedback at our next art show.

  4. on 13 Sep 2009 at 5:05 pm   Dr. Rings

    We love drinking hibiscus tea over here on Okinawa, where hibiscus flowers are everywhere.

    I found you recipe after doing a google search for “hibiscus soda” which I want to try to make.

    Do you know if anyone bottles this?

  5. on 24 Sep 2009 at 12:12 pm   m.

    Wow, glad you found the site! Yes, some companies bottle hibiscus sodas – I usually find them in Mexican markets or in regular grocery stores in southern Texas. Not sure that helps for Okinawa – but dried hibiscus is lightweight, so having some shipped and then making your own might be a good option. Good luck!