Recipe: How To Make Hibiscus Gin Sour Cocktail

Hibiscus is a fantastic ingredient for cocktails, imparting a vibrant colour and a slightly tart, floral flavour. Here’s a refreshing gin cocktail recipe featuring hibiscus:

Hibiscus Gin Sour Ingredients:

• 2 oz gin (London Dry gin works well, but you can experiment with other types)
• 1 oz hibiscus syrup (see below for homemade recipe)
• 3/4 oz fresh lime juice (about half a lime)
• 1/2 oz simple syrup (optional, adjust to taste depending on your preferred sweetness)
• 1 egg white (optional, for a silky texture and frothy top)
• Ice
• Hibiscus flowers (for garnish, optional)
• Lime wheel (for garnish, optional)

Hibiscus Syrup Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup dried hibiscus flowers (find these online at Mimea!)
• 1 cinnamon stick (optional, for a subtle spice note)

Instructions:

• Bring water to a boil in a saucepan.
• Add sugar and stir until fully dissolved.
• Add hibiscus flowers (and cinnamon stick if using).
• Reduce heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat and let it steep for another 10 minutes.
• Strain out the hibiscus flowers (and cinnamon stick) and let the syrup cool.
• Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Cocktail Instructions:

1. Prepare the shaker:

• Add gin, hibiscus syrup, lime juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
• If using egg white, add it now (this adds a frothy, creamy texture to the drink).

2. Dry shake:

If using egg white, dry shake the mixture (shake without ice) for about 15 seconds to emulsify the egg white.

3. Shake with ice:

Add ice to the shaker and shake vigorously for about 20 seconds.

4. Strain and serve:

Double strain the mixture into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass to ensure a smooth texture.

5. Garnish:

Garnish with a dried hibiscus flower or a lime wheel.

6. Enjoy!:

Sip and enjoy your beautifully floral Hibiscus Gin Sour.

Tips:

• Adjust the sweetness and tartness by playing with the amount of hibiscus syrup and lime juice.
• If you prefer a less tart drink, reduce the lime juice and/or hibiscus syrup.
• For a less intense hibiscus flavor, you can dilute the syrup with a bit of water before using it in the cocktail.

This cocktail balances the floral notes of hibiscus with the botanicals of gin, creating a beautifully balanced and visually stunning drink. Enjoy your mixology!