Long Beach Iced Tea Recipe with Hibiscus Twist

This Long Beach Iced Tea with a hibiscus twist combines a classic cocktail with hibiscus tea for an amazingly tasty and vivid experience.

It’s refreshing, it’s floral, and it’s perfect for special gatherings and relaxing in the afternoon!

I’m sure that you’ll love this colorful, tangy, and slightly sweet drink that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Unique Flavor Twist: The addition of hibiscus tea concentrate adds a tart, floral note that elevates the classic Long Beach Iced Tea, making it more refreshing and exciting.
• Visually Stunning: The vibrant pink hue from the hibiscus gives the drink a beautiful, eye-catching presentation, perfect for serving at gatherings or parties.
• Refreshing and Light: The hibiscus twist makes the cocktail feel lighter and more refreshing, perfect for sipping on warm days or as a summer treat.
• Rich in Antioxidants: With hibiscus being known for its antioxidant properties, this cocktail brings a bit of health-conscious indulgence into the mix.
• Versatile for All Occasions: Whether you’re hosting a summer party, enjoying a relaxing afternoon, or looking for a unique cocktail to impress friends, this drink fits every occasion.
• Easy to Make: With hibiscus tea concentrate, the recipe is simple to prepare, offering a flavorful twist without complicated steps.
• Perfect Summer Cocktail: The refreshing floral notes of hibiscus combined with the classic ingredients make it an ideal cocktail to cool off with during hot summer days.

Ingredients

The spirits in this recipe—vodka, rum, gin, tequila, and triple sec—form the base of the traditional Long Beach Iced Tea.

Each spirit adds its own distinct flavor to the mix, with vodka providing a neutral base, rum bringing a hint of sweetness, gin contributing a subtle herbal note, and tequila adding a bold punch. Triple sec adds a sweet, citrusy flavor that complements the overall blend. It’s important to use good-quality spirits, as the balance of flavors can be easily overwhelmed by lower-quality ingredients.

The hibiscus tea concentrate is what makes this version of the Long Beach Iced Tea special.

Hibiscus brings a tart, floral flavor that cuts through the strong spirits, adding a refreshing and unique element to the drink. You can either make your own hibiscus tea concentrate by steeping dried hibiscus flowers or use a store-bought version for convenience.

The concentrate should be strong enough to stand out among the spirits, so it’s important to brew it with enough flavor.

Fresh lemon (or lime) juice adds brightness and acidity, balancing the sweetness of the simple syrup and the tartness of the hibiscus tea. Using fresh lemons is key, as bottled lemon juice can taste overly processed and lack the vibrant freshness needed for this drink.

Simple syrup helps smooth out the flavors and provides just the right amount of sweetness to balance the tart and bitter elements in the cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 oz vodka
• 1/2 oz white rum
• 1/2 oz gin
• 1/2 oz tequila
• 1/2 oz triple sec
• 2 oz hibiscus tea concentrate
• 1 oz fresh lemon (or lime) juice
• 1 oz simple syrup (adjust to taste)
• Ice cubes
• Lemon or lime slice, or hibiscus flowers (for garnish)

How To Make Long Beach Iced Tea with Hibiscus

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Hibiscus Concentrate: If you’re using homemade hibiscus tea concentrate, steep 2 tablespoons of dried hibiscus flowers in 1 cup of boiling water for about 10 minutes. Strain and let it cool. You can also use store-bought hibiscus tea concentrate.
2. Mix the Spirits: In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, rum, gin, tequila, and triple sec.
3. Add the Hibiscus and Lemon: Pour in the hibiscus tea concentrate, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup.
4. Shake: Add ice cubes to the shaker and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds until well-mixed and chilled.
5. Serve: Strain the mixture into a tall glass filled with ice.
6. Garnish and Enjoy: Garnish with a slice of lemon or a fresh hibiscus flower for a stunning presentation. Serve and enjoy your Long Beach Iced Tea with a Hibiscus Twist!

More Tips & Variations

• Make it Sparkling: Top off the drink with a splash of soda water or sparkling hibiscus tea for a fizzy, refreshing twist that lightens up the cocktail.
• Herbal Infusion: Add a sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme to the shaker when mixing for an herbal touch that complements the floral hibiscus flavor and adds depth.
• Fruit-Infused Sweetness: Swap the simple syrup with a berry-infused syrup (like strawberry or raspberry) for added fruity notes that enhance the hibiscus flavor and bring extra color.
• Minty Fresh: Muddle a few fresh mint leaves in the shaker before adding other ingredients for a refreshing mint flavor that brightens up the drink.
• Ginger Twist: Add a splash of ginger beer or ginger syrup for a spicy, zesty note that pairs well with the citrus and hibiscus flavors.
• Orange Zest Finish: Garnish with a twist of orange zest to add a hint of citrus aroma that complements the hibiscus and adds a new layer of flavor to each sip.