This hibiscus margarita recipe is a lovely twist on the classic margarita cocktail! With its rich color and sweet, tangy taste, this cocktail will be a hit at parties. Plus, it’s pretty darn simple to make, with only 4 ingredients!
Also, check out more pink cocktails, our best margarita recipes, and more tequila cocktails!
Aside from the beloved go-to Moscow mule, you really can never go wrong with a classic margarita! And boy, do we drink a lot of margaritas here in Cali!
Hibiscus margaritas are fairly close to traditional margaritas. However, the hibiscus gives the drink a nice lemony tart, cranberry-like flavor and makes the color pop. If you love a good, vibrant pink cocktail, check out our easy sea breeze cocktail recipe too.
We also make a really delicious hibiscus gin sour you have to try!
How To Make This Hibiscus Margarita Recipe
Table of Contents
We’ll share everything you need to know for making this margarita, answer frequently asked questions, and share our expert tips. If you prefer to skip to the recipe, just scroll to the bottom of the post, where you’ll find the recipe, measurements, and directions.
Cocktail Tools
Ingredient Notes
- Tequila – Look for a blanco or silver tequila – this type of tequila will have a slightly sweet and peppery flavor that complements the tartness of the hibiscus.
- Fresh Lime juice – Always use freshly squeezed lime juice when making margaritas.
- Cointreau – adds a citrusy sweetness and depth of flavor to the cocktail and helps balance out the tartness of other ingredients like lime juice and hibiscus.
- Hibiscus Simple Syrup – We made homemade hibiscus syrup using dried hibiscus flowers. It gives the cocktail a gorgeous pink color.
- Margarita Salt – This is used to add a salt rim to the glass.
3 Steps to Making a Margarita
- Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice for at least 20 seconds.
- Strain into a salted-rimmed glass over a large ice cube.
- Garnish with a lime slice, a wedge of lime, or orange peels. We added some crushed hibiscus flowers to the salt for the rim. You can even garnish with a whole flower!
How to Rim a Glass with Salt
Rimming a glass with salt is commonly used in making cocktails, particularly margaritas. To rim a glass with salt, you will need:
- A small plate or saucer
- Coarse salt
- Lime wedge
Here are the steps:
- Pour a small amount of coarse salt onto a plate or saucer.
- Take a lime wedge and run it around the rim of the glass.
- Dip the rim of the glass into the salt on the plate, and twist the glass to ensure that the rim is coated with salt.
- Gently tap the glass to remove any excess salt.
Hibiscus Simple Syrup
This simple hibiscus syrup really elevates the cocktail and gives it a deeper flavor and beautiful coloring.
The best part is that it’s just 3 ingredients simmering for a few minutes, and you have a delicious flavored syrup perfect for cocktails!
You can buy dried hibiscus flowers here.
Check out our full guide to making simple syrup!
Expert Tips for Making the Best Cocktail
Here are my tips to help you create the most delicious cocktail!
- Shake the cocktail with ice for at least 20 seconds to dilute the ingredients.
- Add more or less sweetener as you like, or use agave nectar.
- Add dried, crushed hibiscus flowers to the rimming salt.
- If the drink is too strong, add a little club soda over the top.
If you want this drink to be super pink, make pink ice cubes too!
Best Tequila for Margaritas
Here are a few of our favorite tequilas. You can purchase these at any beverage store and at most grocery stores. Similarly, they’re all affordable and of good quality.
Casamigos Blanco Tequila – Crisp with hints of vanilla. It’s a perfect tequila to sip too.
Espolòn Reposada Tequila Blanco or Gold
El Destilador Silver Tequila – Very affordable
Frequently Asked Questions
Hibiscus is a herbal heavyweight. In addition, when the dried petals are steeped in hot (or cold) water, they release a tart, almost cranberry-like flavor and a deep red-violet color that looks more like a cabernet than chamomile.
Yes, you can substitute triple sec for Cointreau in a margarita. It will change the overall flavor of the drink, but it’s not enough to make a huge difference. Triple sec or Grand Marnier are the best substitutions for Cointreau.
Triple sec is a type of orange liqueur that helps to give margaritas their signature flavor and balance. It adds complexity to the drink and can make it more refreshing. The triple sec also provides sweetness and alcohol, helping to round out the drink overall.
What flavors go well with hibiscus?
Hibiscus is known for its tart, fruity flavor and floral aroma, and it pairs well with various other flavors. Some flavors that go well with hibiscus include:
- Citrus fruits
- Berries, such as raspberry, strawberry, and blueberry
- Tropical fruits
- Mint and other herbs, such as basil and thyme
- Spices such as cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom
- Honey and other sweeteners, such as agave and maple syrup
These flavors can be used to complement the tartness of hibiscus or to balance it out with sweetness or spice.
Where can I buy dried hibiscus flowers?
You can buy dried hibiscus flowers at many health food stores, specialty food stores, and online retailers.
Some popular online retailers that sell dried hibiscus flowers include Amazon, Thrive Market, and Mountain Rose Herbs.
You can also find them at your local grocery store or farmers’ market. If you need help finding them, contact a local herbalist or natural health store for recommendations.
More Margarita Recipes
When to Serve a Hibiscus Margarita
This cocktail is perfect for many occasions and the color makes it great for themed parties too. Here are some ideas on when to serve a hibiscus margarita:
Taco Tuesdays or Happy Hour
Birthday Party or Summer Pool Party
Carnival Party or Outdoor Movie Night
Tropical Party or Cinco de Mayo
Check Out These Other Colorful Cocktails
Also check out more great cocktail recipes our favorite brunch recipes, the best-mixed drinks, and cheap drinks to make at home!
Let us know what you think!
If you try this recipe, then please rate it and let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
You can also FOLLOW US on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM,
Hibiscus Margarita Recipe
Ingredients
Hibiscus Margarita Recipe
- 2 ounces of your favorite tequila
- 1 ounce fresh-squeezed lime juice
- 1 ounce Cointreau
- 1 ounce hibiscus simple syrup, recipe below
- margarita salt for the rim
Hibiscus simple syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers
Instructions
Hibiscus Margarita Recipe
- Shake all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice for at least 20 seconds.
- Strain into a salted-rimmed glass, over a large ice cube.
- Garnish with a lime slice. We added some crushed hibiscus flowers to the salt for the rim.
Hello! How far in advance do you make the simple syrup? If I make tomorrow for an event on Sat, will it get cloudy? Thank you
It can last 2 weeks in the fridge. Just give it a shake and it’s good!
Oh wow!! This looks absolutely delicious!! My family would really enjoy it!!
This looks amazingly delicious.thanks for sharing
Yum, this looks and sounds AMAZING!! Must try!
Xx Taylor
http://lightscameracatwalk.com