Ingredients
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¾ ounce hibiscus-infused simple syrup
- 1½ ounces blanco tequila
- Ice
- Fresh or dried hibiscus flower for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the lime juice, hibiscus syrup, tequila, and ice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a margarita glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with a hibiscus blossom.
Variations and Substitutions
Hibiscus brings a sweet-tart, rich flavor to a classic margarita. Consider any of the following variations and substitutions.
- Float ½ ounce of Grand Marnier on the top of the finished cocktail.
- When making your hibiscus syrup, also infuse the simple syrup with ginger to add a subtle bite and spice to the drink.
- Add ¼ ounce of agave nectar to the cocktail if you prefer a sweeter drink.
- Give your drink a smoky edge by replacing the tequila with mezcal. The smoke flavors add depth.
Garnishes
What could be prettier than a fresh hibiscus bloom as a drink garnish? Still, you can add additional garnishes or change the garnish as well.
- Add color contrast by replacing the hibiscus blossom with a violet blossom.
- Add a lime wheel, wedge, or peel.
- Garnish with an orange wheel, wedge, or peel.
About the Hibiscus Margarita
Even though it's a flower, hibiscus's flavor isn't particularly floral. Instead, hibiscus tastes similar to pomegranate or cranberry, and it imparts a vibrant red color. The secret to any good hibiscus cocktail is hibiscus simple syrup, and it's so easy to make. Simply buy dried hibiscus flowers (sold as hibiscus flower tea), and steep about ¼ cup of them in hot simple syrup for about 20 minutes before straining. You can keep the syrup for a week or two tightly sealed in your fridge. Use up any excess by using it to replace simple syrup in other cocktails. You just may stumble on a new favorite drink.
Vibrancy in a Glass
Hibiscus cocktails are vibrantly and powerfully flavored. The flower brings something extra to a classic margarita that's not only beautiful to look at, but it's tasty to drink as well. And it's easy to make, too. So the next time you make simple syrup, steep some with hibiscus flowers so you can mix yourself this vibrant and flavorful cocktail.
