Tangy sweet hibiscus lime popsicles are super refreshing and easy to make. Nothing beats the heat like a homemade popsicle!
If you’ve ever sipped a magenta-colored cup of Red Zinger tea you’re on familiar terms with hibiscus. In Latin countries, dried hibiscus flowers are known as flor de jamaica and are blended into all sorts of beverages, hot and cold.
Brewed hibiscus flowers make gorgeous jewel-toned drinks. They’re also loaded with vitamin C, and have a tart flavor that will make your cheeks attempt to suck themselves back into your face.
I think that tasting hibiscus is much more interesting than sucking on a lemon, though. Under the sourness is a background flavor that reminds me of raspberries and pomegranate.
Mexican paletas — otherwise known as popsicles — are popular everywhere. There are entire cookbooks devoted to the subject, and multiple fun plastic accessories available to make them.
There are so many delicious ways to fool around with these exotic flowers. I was moved into action to make hibiscus lime popsicles after our household ran out of our favorite Trader Joe’s frozen fruit pops.
Plus, what’s better than an ice-cold popsicle on a summer day? All things cold and thirst quenching are highly appealing.
I used my favorite ice pop mold to freeze these popsicles, but use whatever one you have. You can even make popsicles without any mold at all.
This recipe makes four cups syrup mixture, enough to make 16 pops in my mold. If yours has a smaller capacity, just make another batch or save the extra chilled syrup and add to sparkling water, wine or cocktails.
Hibiscus Margarita anyone?
hibiscus lime popsicles
Prep
Total
Yield about 16 popsicles
Hibiscus lime popsicles have a delicious sweet-tart flavor and gorgeous natural color.
You can find dried hibiscus flowers in many markets or on Amazon.
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup dried hibiscus flowers (available at Latin groceries or natural foods stores)
- Freshly grated zest of one lime
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice ( 4 - 6 limes, depending on how juicy they are)
- Pinch fine sea salt
Instructions
- Bring the water and sugar to a boil in a saucepan, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add the hibiscus flowers, turn off the heat and let the mixture steep at least 15 minutes and up to 1 hour for a stronger color and flavor.
- Strain the syrup into a metal or glass bowl and chill in the refrigerator until super cold. Pour the syrup into a large (at least 4-cups) liquid measuring cup or bowl with a spout. Stir in 1 cup cold water with the lime zest, juice and salt.
- Pour into popsicle molds and freeze until solid.
- Leave the popsicle mold at room temperature for about 10 minutes to make it easier to get the pops out. Or run it under warm running water for a few minutes. Wrap the popsicles in plastic and store in the freezer.
Courses dessert
Cuisine ice cream/sorbet
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Gorgeous! I want one.
Did you know you can buy jars of hibiscus flowers in syrup? You put them in glasses of champagne. I’ve never tried it, but I want to. They sell the jars at the store where I work.
Love, love, love hibiscus! Can’t wait to try these!
Wonderful! Such a brilliant creativity. I must try it myself.
These pops look wonderful! Will be linking to this recipe in tomorrow’s post 🙂
I never thought of using hibiscus in desserts! These popsicles look and sound so delicious and refreshing! Perfect for the summer!