Karkadeh – Hibiscus Drink

Name: Karkadeh - Hibiscus Drink
Prep time: 10 min
Yield: About 1 litre
Cuisine: Middle Eastern

roubashahin.com.au

This hibiscus summer drink is tart, refreshing, and easy to customise. Make a simple syrup, add ice and fruit, and enjoy it your way.

PREP TIME

10 minutes

COOK TIME

SERVES

About 1 litre

About this recipe

This Hibiscus Summer Drink is one of those recipes I keep coming back to, especially when the weather warms up. It’s refreshing, lightly tart, and incredibly easy to make. First, you prepare a simple hibiscus concentrate, then you dilute it and serve it exactly how you like — with plenty of ice and a little fruit if you want to dress it up.

What I love about this Hibiscus Summer Drink is how flexible it is. You can keep it very traditional with just ice, or you can do what I often do and add chunks of orange and strawberries for a fresh, summery feel. I also skip the traditional cinnamon stick and keep the flavour clean and bright. Either way, it’s the kind of drink that feels special but takes very little effort.

Even though it’s perfect for warm weather, this drink is just as much a Ramadan drink in my house. I’ve served it many times for iftar, and every single time it disappears quickly. It’s so refreshing after a long day of fasting. I remember one evening I served it in a large glass jug and kept having to dilute it and refill it because everyone kept coming back for more. It’s one of those drinks that looks beautiful on the table and somehow always becomes the quiet winner of the night.

If you enjoy Middle Eastern drinks, this sits beautifully alongside my Jallab grape drink — a sweet, refreshing Ramadan favourite — and Qamar-al-Deen, the classic apricot drink that shows up on so many tables during Ramadan. I usually make this during Ramadan. It’s always refreshing, especially after a long day of fasting, and it’s one of those drinks everyone reaches for.

Ingredients

1 cup dried hibiscus rinsed
4 cups water
1 cup sugar
4 cups cold water, for diluting
Orange, cut into chunky pieces, to serve
Strawberries, quartered, to serve
Ice, to serve

Notes from Rouba

I like making the concentrate ahead and keeping it in the fridge so it’s ready when guests arrive
I usually cut the orange and strawberries into similar-sized pieces so they look nice in the jug
This drink always tastes better very cold — don’t be shy with the ice

Method

Step 1. Make the hibiscus concentrate

Start by gently washing the dried hibiscus in a bowl of water to remove any dust. Do not rinse it under running tap water or wash it too much, as this can remove the natural colour and flavour. Place the rinsed hibiscus and 4 cups of water into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Once boiling, continue to boil for 8–10 minutes until the water turns a deep red. Remove from the heat, strain out the hibiscus, then stir the sugar into the hot liquid until fully dissolved. Set aside and allow the concentrate to cool completely.

Step 2. Dilute and Serve

Once cooled, dilute the hibiscus concentrate with an equal amount of cold water. To serve, add orange chunks and quartered strawberries to a jug, making sure the fruit pieces are a similar size, then fill with ice and pour over the diluted hibiscus. For a single glass, use equal parts concentrate and water, then add fruit and ice.

A FEW THINGS YOU’LL WANT TO KNOW

Do I need to wash the dried hibiscus?
Yes, but gently. Place the hibiscus in a bowl of water and swirl it lightly to remove any dust. Avoid rinsing it under running tap water or washing it too much, as this can wash away some of the colour and flavour.

Can I substitute honey for sugar?
Yes. If you’re using honey instead of sugar, use about three-quarters of a cup. A full cup of honey can be too strong and overpower the flavour.

Can I need to add cinnamon?
Yes. Cinnamon is also traditional in some hibiscus teas, but this drink works beautifully without it. It’s completely optional.

Do I have to use oranges and strawberries?
Not at all. Traditionally, this drink is served with just ice. The fruit is simply my personal touch.

How much ice should I use?
Lots. This is meant to be very cold and refreshing.

How much water should I dilute it with?
I usually dilute the concentrate with an equal amount of water, but you can adjust. Use less water if you like it sweeter, or more if you prefer it lighter.

Do I have to use the full amount of sugar or honey?
No. Sweetness is very personal. Start with less, taste, and adjust until it’s right for you.