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Hibiscus Strawberry Iced Tea Cooler

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Craving a refreshing iced tea that isn’t packed with sugary sweetness? This Hibiscus Strawberry Iced Tea Cooler hits the mark! It’s slightly tart, not too sweet and naturally sweetened.

When you’re looking for a thirst quenching, delicious drink to enjoy for mocktails, spring or summer drinks, or something the whole family can enjoy, this recipe has you covered. It’s perfect for summer BBQ’s, picnics, spring and summer gatherings, afternoon tea time and more!

Two tall glasses filled with an icy red drink, garnished with fresh strawberry slices inside the glasses and a fresh strawberry on the rim of the glasses with fresh strawberries sitting around them, a white glass ramekin tipped over filled with strawberry slices and a glass pitcher ¼ filled with the red drink in the background sitting on top of a blue and white striped kitchen towel on top of a marble surface. this RECIPE

Why You’ll Love This Hibiscus Strawberry Iced Tea Cooler

Store-bought powdered iced tea mixes and premade iced tea is usually packed with refined cane sugar and often has flavorings that aren’t so “natural”. This healthier hibiscus cooler is made from scratch with simple, real food ingredients like herbal tea, strawberries and honey. 

  • Simple: It’s so easy to make this homemade hibiscus strawberry iced tea with just a handful of real food ingredients. Plus it’s super easy to prepare! You’ll need to be a little patient while the tea steeps, but it’s worth it. Once the hibiscus tea has steeped, it becomes a gorgeous, bright crimson or deep magenta color (depending on how long it steeps). It’s such a pretty color!
  • Flavor: Hibiscus has a very distinct, delightful taste. It’s a little bit tart, lemony and fruity in flavor and absolutely heavenly paired with sweet, juicy strawberries.
  • Healthy Iced Tea: Hibiscus is known for being higher in vitamin C, rich in antioxidants and is known as a hydrating, cooling herb (according to traditional Chinese medicine). Strawberries are also rich in vitamin C and their natural sweetness cancels out the bitterness of the hibiscus and simply lets the flavor shine through.

This hibiscus strawberry iced tea is perfect for spring and summertime. It’s a lovely mocktail drink to serve for brunch or afternoon tea and an extra special iced tea for picnics, potlucks, BBQs, summer parties and holiday gatherings – it’s especially fun and festive for the 4th of July.

Two tall glasses filled with an icy red drink, garnished with fresh strawberry slices inside the glasses and a fresh strawberry on the rim of the glasses with fresh strawberries sitting around them, a white glass ramekin tipped over in the background filled with strawberry slices sitting on top of a blue and white striped kitchen towel and a marble surface with a white tile backdrop.

Hibiscus Cooler Recipe Equipment

  • Medium-Large Saucepan: A saucepan is needed to make the hibiscus tea. You’ll want to make sure to use a pot that has a lid – the lid helps keep the nutritional benefits of the tea when steeping.
  • Glass Measuring Cup: I like to use glass measuring cups for measuring all of the ingredients.
  • Measuring Spoons: You’ll need a tablespoon for measuring the honey.
  • Blender: A blender is needed to mix up some of the tea, frozen strawberries and honey.
  • Fine Mesh Strainer: I recommend using a fine mesh strainer for this drink, it helps remove the strawberry seeds.
  • Heat-Safe Large Pitcher or Mason Jar: You’ll need a pitcher or 64 oz (2 quart) mason jar to store the hibiscus strawberry cooler.
  • Knife: A knife is needed to slice the fresh strawberries that go in the hibiscus cooler.

Overhead photo of a stainless steel pot filled with water, a glass bowl filled with ice, a bowl filled with frozen strawberries, a small bowl filled with fresh sliced strawberries, a white bowl filled with several tea bags and a mini bowl filled with honey sitting on top of a marble background.

Hibiscus Strawberry Iced Tea Cooler Ingredient Notes

  • Filtered Water: I always recommend using filtered water for drinks, making ice cubes, cooking, etc.
  • Hibiscus Lemongrass Tea: The main star of this iced tea cooler is the hibiscus tea. I recommend using a tea that also contains lemongrass, as this is an important flavor component for the drink as well.
  • Raw Honey: Honey is one of my favorite natural sweeteners to use in iced tea. Make sure to use a lighter honey like clover, star thistle or orange blossom. I do not recommend using wildflower honey varieties – they often are too overpowering and strong in flavor.
  • Frozen Strawberries: Frozen strawberries are needed to add the strawberry component of this iced tea cooler. I recommend using frozen organic strawberries. You can find these in most grocery stores. Trader Joe’s seems to have one of the best price points for frozen organic strawberries.
  • Fresh Strawberries: Slices of strawberries are so yummy in this refreshing iced tea cooler. They add a little extra special touch to the drink. You can omit them if you’d like to.
  • Ice: You’ll need ice to make this cooler a true iced tea. This drink is so refreshing served over ice on a hot day.

A tall glass filled with an icy red drink, garnished with fresh strawberry slices inside the glass and a fresh strawberry on the rim of the glass with fresh strawberries sitting around it with another filled glass sitting in front of it and a white glass ramekin tipped over in the background filled with strawberry slices and a glass pitcher ¼ filled with the red drink in the background sitting on top of a blue and white striped kitchen towel on top of a marble surface.

How to Make This Hibiscus Strawberry Iced Tea Cooler

It’s so easy to make this delicious, healthy and refreshing Hibiscus Strawberry Iced Tea cooler – but you do need to prepare it a little bit in advance, steeping the tea and chilling the tea.

Get yourself some fresh, organic strawberries. Yes, choosing organic strawberries for this is important because they are currently #2 on the EWG’s Pesticides in Produce Dirty Dozen™ list.

A tall glass filled with an icy red drink, garnished with fresh strawberry slices inside the glass and a fresh strawberry on the rim of the glass with fresh strawberries sitting around it, a small white glass bowl filled with strawberry slices to the right side of the glass and a glass pitcher ¼ filled with the red drink sitting to the left side with a blue and white striped kitchen towel behind it sitting on a marble surface and a white tile backdrop.

Prep the Strawberries

You’ll want to wash the fresh strawberries first – please don’t skip this step. Even if the strawberries are organic, you’ll still want to wash them because oil based pesticides and ripening agents are found (and allowed) on organic produce. Washing the strawberries will help remove any leftover residue, debris and dirt. I recommend using a vinegar water soak.

Once you’ve washed and dried the strawberries, grab a cutting board and a knife and slice them up, then set them aside for later.

Make the Hibiscus-Lemongrass Tea

In a medium-size saucepan, add the water and over high heat, bring the water to a boil. Once the water has come to a boil, remove from the heat and hang the tea bags inside the saucepan in the water, allowing the tags to hang over the side of the pan. Then cover the saucepan and allow the tea bags to steep for 15 minutes.

After the tea has steeped, remove the lid from the saucepan and gently squeeze the tea bags over the saucepan to release the extra herbal tea goodness, then discard.

Carefully pour the tea into a heat-safe large pitcher or 64 oz (2 quart) mason jar (if your pitcher/jar is not heat-safe, allow the tea to come to room temperature first). Then measure out 2 cups of tea and pour it into a blender. Set the pitcher aside.

Make the Hibiscus Strawberry Cooler

To the blender, add the frozen strawberries and honey, blending on medium speed until fully combined with no strawberry chunks remaining.

Next, place a fine mesh strainer over the pitcher and pour the strawberry mixture into the tea-filled pitcher. If you don’t mind the strawberry seeds, you can skip using the fine mesh strainer – my preference is strained. Then place the drink in the refrigerator to chill.

Add the ice directly to the hibiscus strawberry tea or add ice to individual glasses and pour the hibiscus strawberry tea over the ice. Garnish with the sliced strawberries and enjoy!

A closeup view of a glass filled with a red icy drink garnished with sliced strawberries inside of it and a fresh strawberry on the rim of the glass, sitting on top of a marble surface with fresh strawberries and another red drink in the background.

Recipe FAQs: Tips for the Best Hibiscus Cooler Drink

  • How much hibiscus strawberry iced tea will this recipe make? The finished yield is about 6 cups without ice.
  • What is the best way to store the hibiscus cooler? For the best flavor, store the hibiscus strawberry tea covered in the refrigerator and use within 24 hours. Do not add ice to the stored hibiscus strawberry tea as it will dilute the tea and slightly lessen the bold flavor.
  • Can this hibiscus cooler mocktail recipe be doubled? Yes! This recipe is easy to double and triple.
  • What kind of honey should be used in this hibiscus strawberry iced tea? I only recommend using a mild, light-colored, quality honey for this recipe. Honey flavors like orange blossom honey, clover honey, thistle honey or alfalfa honey are known to be the most mild in flavor. This is my favorite raw honey - I love their “orange blossom” and “original” honey. I also love using this raw honey in their “white clover blossom” and “light and mild” honey – some grocery stores carry this brand.
  • Can you substitute the honey for another sweetener in this recipe? My preference is honey when it comes to any iced tea or refreshing drinks. However, if you need to use another natural sweetener, maple syrup is a good choice – it will alter the flavor a little though.
  • How should this hibiscus strawberry iced tea cooler be served? This delicious iced tea cooler should be served over ice and garnished with fresh strawberry slices. It’s perfect for afternoon teatime, spring and summer gatherings, holiday parties and more!

An overhead view of a glass filled with a red drink garnished with sliced strawberries inside of it and a fresh strawberry on the rim of the glass, sitting on top of a marble surface with fresh strawberries and another red drink in the background.

This Hibiscus Strawberry Iced Tea Cooler is such a fun and yummy drink for the whole family and perfect for the spring and summer months. As always, make sure hibiscus is right for you and always omit the honey if you're feeding it to a little one under 2 years old.

Two tall glasses filled with an icy red drink, garnished with fresh strawberry slices inside the glasses and a fresh strawberry on the rim of the glasses with fresh strawberries sitting around them, a white glass ramekin tipped over filled with strawberry slices and a glass pitcher ¼ filled with the red drink in the background sitting on top of a blue and white striped kitchen towel on top of a marble surface.

If You Like This Hibiscus Strawberry Iced Tea Cooler Recipe, You May Also Like These Delicious Recipes from Recipes to Nourish:

Two tall glasses filled with an icy red drink, garnished with fresh strawberry slices inside the glasses and a fresh strawberry on the rim of the glasses with fresh strawberries sitting around them, a white glass ramekin tipped over in the background filled with strawberry slices and a glass pitcher ¼ filled with the red drink sitting to the side with a blue and white striped kitchen towel and a marble surface in the background with a white tile backdrop.

Hibiscus Strawberry Iced Tea Cooler

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A closeup view of a glass filled with a red icy drink garnished with sliced strawberries inside of it and a fresh strawberry on the rim of the glass, sitting on top of a marble surface with fresh whole and sliced strawberries sitting around it and another glass filled with the red drink in the background all sitting on a marble surface.

Hibiscus Strawberry Iced Tea Cooler

Yield: 6 cups without ice
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Additional Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Craving a refreshing iced tea that isn’t packed with sugary sweetness? This Hibiscus Strawberry Iced Tea Cooler hits the mark! It’s slightly tart, not too sweet and naturally sweetened.

Ingredients

  • 5 cups filtered water
  • 5 organic hibiscus-lemongrass tea bags (this is my favorite tea brand)
  • 2 tablespoon mild and light colored raw honey (this is my favorite honey)
  • 2 cups frozen organic strawberries
  • 3 cups ice cubes, made from filtered water (I use this)
  • 1 cup fresh organic strawberries, hulled and sliced, for garnish

Instructions

    1. In a medium-size saucepan, add the water and over high heat, bring the water to a boil. Once the water has come to a boil, remove from the heat and hang the tea bags inside the saucepan in the water, allowing the tags to hang over the side of the pan. Then cover the saucepan and allow the tea bags to steep for 15 minutes.
    2. After the tea has steeped, remove the lid from the saucepan and gently squeeze the tea bags over the saucepan to release the extra tea goodness, then discard the tea bags.
    3. Carefully pour the tea into a heat-safe large pitcher or 64 oz (2 quart) mason jar (if your pitcher/jar is not heat-safe, allow the tea to come to room temperature first). Then measure out 2 cups of tea and pour it into a blender. Set the pitcher aside.
    4. To the blender, add the frozen strawberries and honey, blending on medium speed until fully combined with no strawberry chunks remaining.
    5. Place a fine mesh strainer over the pitcher and pour the strawberry mixture into the tea-filled pitcher. If you don’t mind the strawberry seeds, skip using the fine mesh strainer – my preference is strained. Then place the strawberry tea-filled pitcher in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes.
    6. Add the ice directly to the hibiscus strawberry tea or add ice to individual glasses and pour the hibiscus strawberry tea over the ice. Garnish with sliced strawberries and enjoy!

Notes

Yield: 6 cups without ice

Equipment: Medium Saucepan w/ Lid, Glass Measuring Cup, Measuring Spoons, Fine Mesh Strainer, Blender, Knife, Cutting Board, Large Heat-Safe Glass Pitcher or 64 oz (2 quart) Mason Jar

Sweetness: If you prefer sweeter iced tea, increase the amount of honey to ¼ cup.

Raw Honey Notes: I only recommend using a mild, light-colored, quality honey (not wildflower honey) to ensure the flavor stays mild and doesn’t alter the flavor. Honey flavors like orange blossom honey, clover honey, thistle honey or alfalfa honey are known to be the most mild in flavor. I like and use these honey brands:

Storage: For the best flavor, store the hibiscus strawberry tea covered in the refrigerator and use within 24 hours. Do not add ice to the stored hibiscus strawberry tea as it will dilute the tea and slightly lessen the bold flavor.

Cold Brew Option: The night before making the recipe, hang the 5 tea bags inside a large pitcher or 64 oz (2 quart) mason jar with the paper tags hanging outside the top of the pitcher/mason jar, then add the 5 cups of water to the pitcher/mason jar, cover with lid and place in the refrigerator overnight to steep (at least 8 hours). Remove the pitcher/mason jar from the refrigerator the next day and gently squeeze the tea bags over the pitcher/mason jar to release the extra tea goodness, then discard. The iced tea is now ready to use!

Loose Leaf Hibiscus & Lemongrass Tea Option: Instead of using tea bags, substitute the tea bags with 2 tablespoons loose dried hibiscus flowers and 1 teaspoon dried lemongrass and follow the same instructions above except allow the loose leaf tea to steep for 30 minutes.

The photographs of this recipe, recipe and all content above are copyright protected. Please do not use my photos without prior written permission. If you choose to share this recipe, please feel free to share by using proper etiquette and providing a link back to my original recipe on my blog, not a screenshot, with proper disclosure [the original recipe - "title of recipe" by Recipes to Nourish]. Copying/pasting the full recipe text to websites or social media is prohibited. If you make significant changes to the recipe or adapt the recipe in any way, please rewrite the recipe in your own unique words and provide a link back here with proper disclosure for credit. Thanks for understanding!

[Updated June 2025]

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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 29Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 7mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 1g

This nutritional information was auto-generated based on serving size, number of servings, and typical information for the ingredients listed. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, please calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients and amounts used, using your preferred nutrition calculator. Under no circumstances shall the this website and the author be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on the given nutritional information. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.

© Emily Criswell
Cuisine: American / Category: Beverage

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Thanks for posting this recipe. I just recently bought a box of Hibiscus tea to try it and found I really like it. This recipe will be fun to make this summer.

    Reply

    • I hope you enjoy it! 🙂

      Reply

  2. Drool! I use my hibiscus flowers primarily for kombucha...but i adore hibiscus! This looks great, I am featuring your recipe on Allergy Free Wednesday this week!

    Reply

    • Thank you!!! I appreciate it.

      Reply

  3. This recipe looks delicious AND it fits the paleo autoimmune protocol (a rare thing). So, thank you! I host a weekly Paleo AIP Recipe Roundtable through my blog, and I would love it if you linked up this recipe. I’m trying to expand resources for the AIP community.

    Reply

    • Thanks! I'll link it up.

      Reply

  4. This looks SO refreshing! I love the combo and the ruby red color!

    Reply

    • Thanks! 🙂

      Reply

  5. Hibiscus and strawberry are one of my all time favorite flavor combinations. I will be trying this. Thanks!

    Reply

    • Awesome! I love the combo too 🙂

      Reply

  6. Oh I love hibiscus! And strawberries! This definitely gets me excited about our June strawberry picking!

    Reply

    • I'm so excited for strawberries too 🙂

      Reply

  7. Ohhh Emily you just made me long for summer even more. I am so making this!

    Reply

    • 🙂 I hope you enjoy it!

      Reply

  8. Picturing me drinking this at the beach now and pretending there isn't 6 inches of snow outside! 🙂

    Reply

    • Enjoy the snow while it lasts. 🙂

      Reply

  9. I'm looking forward to sharing this. It looks wonderful and just in time to pin for spring crops! 🙂

    Reply

    • Thanks so much Megan!

      Reply

  10. Wow! The addition of cinnamon sounds like it would really make this extra delicious! I'm going to have to try it 🙂

    Reply

    • I hope you enjoy it 🙂

      Reply

  11. Oh my goodness!! This looks so refreshing and yummy!! I can't wait for a nice warm day to try this.

    Reply

    • Thanks Kim!

      Reply

  12. What a pretty drink! Beautiful as always:)

    Reply

    • Thank you xo

      Reply

  13. I wonder if it matter to use the red hibiscus or will any hibiscus work. It might be red but probably tastes as good.

    Reply

    • I didn't know there are different varieties of hibiscus flowers. The ones I have used are always red.

      Reply

  14. This says it's an iced tea drink but I don't see any tea in the ingredients. Am I just missing it? Thanks!

    Reply

    • The hibiscus tea is made with bulk herbs ... see the recipe for more details.

      Reply

  15. Love hibiscus tea and never thought to add strawberry. Thank you for the link to buy the hibiscus tea, I've been having trouble finding it since my local Smart & Final stopped carrying it.

    Reply

    • I hope you get to make some, it's so delicious. 🙂

      Reply

  16. This screams summer! Refreshing and gorge!

    Reply

    • Thanks so much 🙂

      Reply

  17. Loveing all these fresh ingredients to make a delicious drink. This is a winner.

    Reply

    • Thanks Candy 🙂

      Reply

  18. What a refreshing idea for summer!
    Kari

    Reply

    • Thanks Kari! 🙂

      Reply

  19. In hibiscus a whole bunch of amino acids and protein 🙂 Very healthy thing, and in combination with strawberries also very tasty! Well done )

    Reply

  20. Beautiful drink! It sounds like the perfect spring/summer beverage!

    Reply

    • Thank you 🙂

      Reply

  21. Oh man, this looks so good! So refreshing. What a great treat. I'm so trying this recipe this weekend. We are suppose to have some sun so this will go perfectly thanks so much can't wait to try!

    Reply

    • It's perfect on sunny days 🙂 Enjoy it!

      Reply

  22. I just purchased most of these ingredients and now I have something to do with them!

    Reply

    • I hope you get to enjoy it 🙂

      Reply

  23. omg i LOVE this!! we have dried hibiscus and we grow lemon grass, never put these 2 together, YUM!

    Reply

    • How fun that you grow lemon grass! They're so delicious together 🙂

      Reply

  24. That looks so refreshing and delicious!! I need to find me some hibiscus flowers real soon so I can enjoy a glass myself 🙂
    xx, Kusum

    Reply

    • Hope you get to enjoy some 🙂

      Reply

  25. Ooooh la la! I can't wait to try this recipe. I adore both hibiscus AND strawberries. Yum! Thanks for sharing this refreshing drink. Yay!

    Reply

    • I hope you get to make some 🙂

      Reply

  26. These look sooooo delicious! I really want to try it.

    Reply

    • Thanks! Hope you get to.

      Reply

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