Looking for a refreshing cocktail with a floral twist? The Hibiscus Gin Sour combines the botanical notes of gin with tangy hibiscus for a drink that’s both pretty and delicious.
This simple yet sophisticated cocktail requires just gin, fresh lemon juice, hibiscus syrup, and egg white for a foamy finish.
The vibrant red color from hibiscus makes this drink perfect for entertaining guests or enjoying on warm spring evenings. Its tart-sweet balance appeals to both cocktail enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike.
The drink comes together in just a few minutes but looks like something from an upscale bar.
Try garnishing with a dried hibiscus flower or lemon twist for an extra touch of elegance. The recipe can be easily scaled up for parties or adapted with different gins to create subtle flavor variations.
Hibiscus Gin Sour Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Hawthorne strainer
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Jigger or measuring tool
- Citrus juicer
- Cocktail glass (coupe or rocks glass)
- Bar spoon
- Small saucepan (for hibiscus syrup)
- Storage bottle (for extra syrup)
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin London Dry style recommended
- ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
- ½ oz hibiscus syrup*
- ½ oz simple syrup
- 1 egg white or 1 oz aquafaba optional, for foam
- 3-4 ice cubes
- Dried hibiscus flower or lemon twist for garnish
*For hibiscus syrup:
- ½ cup dried hibiscus flowers
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
Instructions
- Make hibiscus syrup: Combine water and dried hibiscus flowers in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Strain out flowers, add sugar, and stir until dissolved. Cool completely before using.
- Prepare your glass: Chill a coupe or rocks glass in the freezer or by filling with ice water.
- Mix the cocktail: Add gin, lemon juice, hibiscus syrup, simple syrup, and egg white (if using) to a cocktail shaker.
- Dry shake: Shake vigorously without ice for about 15 seconds to create foam.
- Wet shake: Add ice cubes to the shaker and shake again for 10-15 seconds until well-chilled.
- Strain: Double-strain into your chilled glass to ensure a smooth texture.
- Garnish: Float a dried hibiscus flower on top or add a lemon twist.
Notes
Must Have Ingredients
| Image | Title | Buy |
|---|---|---|
 | Collins Candied Fruit Orange Peel Twist in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
 | Collins Strawberries in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
 | Collins Candied Ginger in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
 | Peninsula Premium Cocktail Cherries For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
 | Premium Lychees in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
 | Oranfit Dried Orange Slices For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
 | Oranfit Dried Lime Slices For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
 | LAVA Premium Cocktail Rimmers Variety Pack | Buy On Amazon |
 | Pure Cane Simple Syrup Cocktail Mixer | Buy On Amazon |
 | Q GINGER BEER with Real Ginger & Organic Agave | Buy On Amazon |
 | Q Mixers Premium Ginger Ale | Buy On Amazon |
 | Q ELDERFLOWER TONIC WATER with Real Quinine & Organic Agave | Buy On Amazon |
 | Q Club soda with Himalayan Salt | Buy On Amazon |
 | WithCo Cucumber Gimlet Craft Cocktail Mixer with Mint | Buy On Amazon |
 | Strongwater Old Fashioned Mix- Handcrafted Old Fashioned Syrup with Bitters, Orange, Cherry, Organic Demerara Sugar | Buy On Amazon |
 | Bittermilk No.1 Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Fashioned Mix | Buy On Amazon |
 | Portland Syrups Pumpkin Spice Syrup | Buy On Amazon |
 | Portland Syrups Lavender Syrup | Buy On Amazon |
 | Portland Syrups Vanilla Syrup | Buy On Amazon |
 | Original Bloody Mary Mix | Buy On Amazon |
 | Fever Tree Sparkling Pink Grapefruit | Buy On Amazon |
 | Professional Drink Mixer Set for Beginners | Buy On Amazon |
 | 1 Pack 3 Tier Bar Glass Rimmer | Buy On Amazon |
 | Cocktail Ice Mold With Easy Fill and Release Silicone Round Ice Ball Maker | Buy On Amazon |
 | Stainless Steel Bar Tool For Making Garnish for Cocktails & Mocktails | Buy On Amazon |
Tasting Notes
The Hibiscus Gin Sour offers a bright, tart flavor profile with floral undertones. The hibiscus tea brings a cranberry-like taste that balances perfectly with the botanical notes of gin.
When you first sip this cocktail, your taste buds meet with the sharp, citrusy punch from fresh lemon juice. This tartness quickly mellows into the sweet honey syrup that rounds out the drink.
The gin provides juniper and herbal notes that complement the hibiscus rather than competing with it. Different gin brands will affect the final taste profile, so experiment a little if you’re curious.
Flavor Components:
- Hibiscus: Tart, berry-like, slightly floral
- Gin: Juniper-forward, botanical, aromatic
- Lemon: Bright, acidic, fresh
- Honey: Sweet, warm, natural
The egg white creates a silky mouthfeel and adds a rich texture that makes the cocktail feel more luxurious. This frothy layer carries the aromatic qualities of the drink.
The finish is clean with lingering floral notes and a pleasant dryness from the gin. The cocktail leaves a subtle sweetness on the palate that isn’t cloying—thankfully.
For the best experience, serve this cocktail well-chilled in a coupe glass. The cold temperature just brings all those flavors together in the best way.
Substitutes
If you don’t have hibiscus tea, try cranberry juice instead. The flavor isn’t a perfect match, but it gives a similar tart, fruity kick to your cocktail.
No gin? That’s honestly fine. Vodka works as a stand-in.
The drink will be less botanical, maybe a bit simpler, but it’s still really refreshing.
For a non-alcoholic version, just skip the gin. Add extra soda water or tonic water.
That makes a mocktail that’s honestly enjoyable, even if you’re not skipping the booze for any reason in particular.
Got an egg allergy? Aquafaba is your friend. It’s just the liquid from canned chickpeas, but it foams up almost like egg white.
If you want things less sweet, cut the simple syrup in half. Taste as you go—there’s no reason not to tweak it until it’s just right for you.
