Ginger Hibiscus Martini or Mocktail
Looking for a way to up your beverage game? You’ve got to try hibiscus tea (AKA agua de jamaica)! Today we have a twofer: A Ginger Hibiscus Martini and a Mocktail. They start with the same base – strong hibiscus tea and fresh squeezed lemon juice. The martini gets finished with muddled fresh ginger, gin, and dry vermouth, while the mocktail is topped off with non-alcoholic ginger beer. I have a sneaking suspicion this one may become a summer favorite!
👩🏻🍳 Tamara Talks – Recipe Inspiration
I must confess. My motivation in coming up with a suitable non-alcoholic substitute for the Ginger Hibiscus Martini (martinis are my favorite!) is in part selfish. I love cocktails, but I also love being healthy and watching my weight.
At 58, this has become more of a challenge. I drink still and sparkling water, but let’s face it, they’re just not that exciting. I swore off sodas years ago, and even an afternoon iced tea has begun to give me trouble (caffeine issues).
My favorite bartender (and husband Mark😍) and I decided the solution might lie in creating equally interesting “mocktails.” The Ginger Hibiscus Mocktail is exactly the kind of beverage we were after!
🌸About Hibiscus
What do you know of hibiscus (sorrel, jamaica) other than its gorgeous hue? The anthocyanin (purple and red hued antioxidants) present in hibiscus tea means it is loaded with health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties, improved organ health, possible decreased risk of cancer, among others.
The hibiscus tea is made with the dried calyces (protection for the flower bud of angiosperms), not the actual flower petals.
The tart flavor of hibiscus is similar to cranberry juice. It is naturally caffeine-free, and a great alternative to iced black tea to quench your thirst. You can make a hot cup of hibiscus tea in just a few minutes, and a properly brewed tea for other uses requires only about 15-20 minutes (to cool completely). Enjoy it year ’round, but I find the gorgeous hue particularly pleasing in spring and summer!
Is Hibiscus Healthy?
In a word? YES! Hibiscus tea is classified as an “herbal” tea, though the tea is made with the calyx part of the hibiscus plant that supports the flower. Studies show that it may aid in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol.Hibiscus tea is naturally calorie and caffeine free, and anthocyanins (antioxidant pigments) are heart healthy.
As with all foods, moderation is key. Hibiscus is not approved as a food supplement as of today. For more information see What’s to Know About Hibiscus Tea.
📋 Ingredients Notes
Hibiscus Tea
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup dried hibiscus, .25 ounce
- 1 tablespoon agave nectar
Martini
- 1.5 ounces hibiscus tea
- 1.5 ounces Meyer (or other) fresh lemon juice
- 6 slices fresh ginger, sliced very thin
- ice
- 4.5 ounces gin
- 1.5 ounces white vermouth
- lemon twists, for garnish
Mocktail
- 1.5 ounces hibiscus tea, 1 shot
- 1.5 ounces fresh squeezed lemon juice, 1 shot
- non-alcoholic ginger beer
🔪 Step-By-Step Instructions
- Start both drinks with a strong and slightly sweetened hibiscus tea – Bring 3/4 cup of water to a boil, remove from the heat, add the dried hibiscus, and allow to cool completely. Strain through a fine mesh sieve or coffee filter, pressing on the solids to extract all the liquid. Sweeten to taste. I suggest 1 tablespoon of agave nectar. I like it somewhat tart, but you may prefer it sweeter.
- Prep the ingredients – While the tea cools, assemble the other ingredients. For the martini, you’ll need several thin slices of fresh ginger. Both beverages get fresh squeezed lemon juice. Use Meyer lemon if you can get one.
- Make the drinks – Once the tea is cool, your drink is only a shake, pour, and stir away! For the Ginger Hibiscus Martini, muddle the ginger with the lemon juice and the hibiscus tea, then add gin and vermouth. Shake and strain into a martini glass. The Ginger Hibiscus Mocktail includes the ginger slices muddled with the lemon juice, and the hibiscus tea. It gets shaken and strained into a highball glass with ice, and topped off with non-alcoholic ginger beer. Voilà!
❓ FAQ
- How do I store the leftover tea? Store leftover tea in an airtight jar for another use. The “jury is out” on length of time. Hibiscus tea is acidic, and keeps longer than regular brewed tea. It doesn’t “go bad,” rather, it loses its freshness. I recommend 1-2 weeks max, but you can taste it and see… I have actually seen 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, and 2 years!
- Isn’t ginger beer alcoholic? It can be, but most often, is not. My husband and I LOVE non-alcoholic Bundaberg Ginger Beer. As I mentioned in the post, we’re trying to watch the amount of alcohol and calories we consume, and their Diet Ginger Beer has only 25 calories per bottle. We split 1 bottle between the two highball glasses, making this a really calorie-conscious choice!
I’m working on Gluten Free Tarts with Vanilla Pudding, Berries, and a Hibiscus Glaze, and that’s a great way to use the remaining hibiscus tea… I’ve also included some additional possibilities at the end of the post!
Ginger Hibiscus Martini
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Equipment
- Unbreakable Martini Glasses Set of 2
Ingredients
Sweetened Hibiscus Tea
- ¾ cup water
- ½ cup dried hibiscus - .25 ounces
- 1 tablespoon agave nectar
Ginger Hibiscus Martini
- 1.5 ounces hibiscus tea - 1 shot (see notes)
- 1.5 ounces Meyer - or other fresh lemon juice, 1 shot
- 6 slices fresh ginger - sliced very thin
- ice - in shaker
- 4.5 ounces gin - 3 shots
- 1.5 ounces white vermouth - 1 shot
- lemon twists - for garnish
Instructions
Sweetened Hibiscus Tea
- Bring water to a boil. Remove from the heat source. Add the hibiscus. Allow to steep until cool. Sweeten with agave nectar. (See notes).
Ginger Hibiscus Martini
- Muddle the sliced ginger with the hibiscus tea and fresh lemon juice (in a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice, the gin, and the vermouth.
- Shake vigorously.
- Strain into martini glasses. Add a lemon twist.
Notes
Nutrition
NOTE: Macronutrients are an approximation only using unbranded ingredients and MyFitnessPal.com. Please do your own research with the products you’re using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.
Ginger Hibiscus Mocktail
Click to rate!
Ingredients
Sweetened Hibiscus Tea
- ¾ cup water
- ½ cup dried hibiscus - .25 ounce
- 1 tablespoon agave nectar - (see notes)
Ginger Hibiscus Mocktail
- 1.5 ounces hibiscus tea - 1 shot
- 1.5 ounces fresh squeezed lemon juice - 1 shot
- non-alcoholic ginger beer
Instructions
Sweetened Hibiscus Tea
- Bring water to a boil. Remove from the heat source. Add the hibiscus. Allow to steep until cool. Sweeten with agave nectar. (See notes).
Ginger Hibiscus Mocktail
- Combine hibiscus tea and lemon juice in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously.
- Strain into highball glasses filled with ice. Top off with ginger beer. (See notes). Give it a good stir to combine. Garnish with a lemon wheel as desired.
Notes
Nutrition
NOTE: Macronutrients are an approximation only using unbranded ingredients and MyFitnessPal.com. Please do your own research with the products you’re using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.
Well, now I have plenty of ideas what to bring to a party Iām attending! These look great, thank you.
Thank you Boyd! I hope you like them…
I would drink both versions right on up! They are so perfect for this Houston summer heat. Can’t wait to try them on my friends and family.
Do you live in Houston Brittany? I’m in McAllen, and boy has it been hot! You’ll love the martini or the mocktail on a hot day…
Wow, this is one of my favorite mocktails, we drink it all year long and I grow the hibiscus. I can’t wait to try it with ginger beer, such a great idea.
Really? We tried to grow hibiscus in our garden, but I guess it wasn’t getting enough sunlight. We had to pull them both out. š The tart, floral flavor of the hibiscus works really well with ginger beer!
This drink sounds so delicious and refreshing. Love how you included the recipe for the mocktail as well!
When I was playing with the hibiscus, I tried both a martini and a mocktail. We loved them both, and I thought about separating them, but the post is more about using hibiscus as a flavoring, so I hope it works!
I love the creativity!! Such a pretty drink, too!! Perfect for summer! Looks like your hubby came up with a great recipe here!!
He’s a pretty handy guy to keep around… š Thanks Amanda!
I looooove hibiscus for so many reasons, and this cocktail is another one! It’s so refreshing and delicious, and the color is absolutely stunning. Thanks for offering an alcoholic and non-alcoholic version! I can’t wait to make the martini, personally!
Thanks Sara! I love them both, but I do enjoy “cocktail hour,” and the hibiscus martini makes a regular appearance!
Well, I hear you when it comes to caffeine, enjoying your adult beverage, and trying to keep that old weight off. I do like hibiscus tea — I always have and the color is so pretty. I’ll be going to my favorite tea shop — I’ll have to get some and make your mocktail.
Awesome! I actually make the tea with straight dried hibiscus. I tried it with tea bags and it wasn’t nearly strong enough! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do…
Thank you for this 2 in one drink. I love both the ginger and the hibiscus tea in this. Looks great!
My pleasure!
Yum! Love me a great mocktail! I love the fresh ingredients you are using in this refreshing looking drink!
Thanks Paige! It’s a great hot-weather sipper!
Such a gorgeous color, and great flavor combo! Thanks for sharing your recipe.
It’s all about that gorgeous hue, right?
What a delightful drink! I know that I would love it. All of these flavors are so good! And it’s so perfect for the summer!
Thanks Kate! It is indeed perfect on a hot summer day (or spring in south Texas)!
This sounds like a great summertime drink. Perfect for the BBQ parties and the warm weather. The colour is great….and the fact you can make it two ways….great for everyone to enjoy.
I love the color too! And it’s refreshing with or without alcohol… Yes, perfect for summer parties!
No mocktails for me! I love the thought of gin, ginger and hibiscus together!! These martini’s look delicious. Okay, I may even be persuaded to try the mocktail version! That’s how good these look!
I’ve had both, and being the gin lover that I am, I go for the martini most of the time… However, it is nice to have a non-alcoholic version on a (rare) occasion! š
This recipe is full on refreshing deliciousness. Can’t wait to get my hand on some more hibiscus tea. Wishing you a super weekend!
Thanks Bobbi! I get the dried hibiscus to make the tea at World Market…