6 Jewel-Toned Hibiscus Cocktails for the Holidays

As the holidays approach and the evenings turn slower and softer, we find joy in crafting cocktails that feel as beautiful as they taste.This season, we’re turning to hibiscus. Its ruby hue, floral tartness, and subtle spice make every glass shimmer with celebration.

Each cocktail in this collection captures a different mood. Sparkling, warm, tropical, or cream, yet all share that signature hibiscus glow that makes them true jewel-toned cocktails. We're including batching-for-six ratios as well, so whether you’re hosting a gathering or mixing something special for two, we hope these recipes invite you to slow down, sip deeply, and toast to connection and the holiday season.

Why We Love Hibiscus for the Holidays

There’s something about hibiscus, and this one has a season twist with winter spices.. The way it catches light, the way its flavor shifts from bright to warm. It simply feels made for the season. It brings warmth to bourbon, sparkle to gin, and vibrancy to tequila. It’s floral but grounded, festive without being fussy.

For us, it’s the color and flavor of celebration: unexpected, elegant, and full of joy. We hope you love them as much as we do. If you mix one up, tag us on Instagram or PInterest!

Spiced Hibiscus Syrup

A jewel-toned syrup that brings vibrant color and floral-citrus flavor to everything from margaritas to French 75s.

Ingredients

• 2 cups water

• 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers

• 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 2 orange peels

• 1 cup sugar (or equal to the amount of brewed tea)

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, combine water, hibiscus flowers, ginger, cinnamon sticks, and orange peels.

2. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 3–4 minutes.

3. Remove from heat and let steep for 15 minutes.

4. Strain through a fine mesh sieve, pressing gently to extract the liquid (you should have about 1 cup).

5. Return the liquid to the saucepan and add sugar, stirring over low heat until fully dissolved.

6. Cool to room temperature, then transfer to a jar or bottle and refrigerate for up to 3 weeks.

Jump to a Recipe

• Winter Hibiscus Margarita

• Hibiscus French 75

• Hibiscus Bourbon Smash

• Spiced Hibiscus Rum Punch

• Hibiscus Gin Fizz

• Hibiscus Gin & Tonic

  
  

6 Jewel-Toned Cocktails to Brighten Your Holiday Table

Winter Hibiscus Margarita

A vibrant twist on the classic margarita. Tart, spiced, and beautifully balanced.

Ingredients

• 2 oz blanco tequila

• 1 oz spiced hibiscus syrup

• ¾ oz lime juice

• ½ oz orange liqueur (Cointreau or Triple Sec)

• Optional: pinch of chili salt or cinnamon-sugar rim

Instructions

1. Rim your glass with sugar or chili salt.

2. Add tequila, hibiscus syrup, lime juice, and orange liqueur to a shaker with ice.

3. Shake until chilled and strain over crushed ice.

4. Garnish with rosemary, cinnamon stick, or star anise.

Notes from the Bar

• Serve in a double Old Fashioned glass or short rocks glass filled with crushed ice.

• Garnish with a rosemary sprig and cinnamon stick for a festive touch.

• Crushed ice keeps the drink light and refreshing.

• A blanco tequila keeps the flavor crisp, while a reposado adds warmth and depth.

• For a party batch, mix 12 oz tequila, 6 oz hibiscus syrup, 4½ oz lime juice, and 3 oz orange liqueur in a pitcher and serve over ice.

Hibiscus French 75

A sparkling, jewel-toned riff on the classic French 75. Bright, floral, and perfectly festive.

Ingredients

• 1 oz gin

• ¾ oz spiced hibiscus syrup

• ½ oz lemon juice

• 3 oz chilled Prosecco or Champagne

• Lemon twist, for garnish

Instructions

1. Add gin, hibiscus syrup, and lemon juice to a shaker with ice.

2. Shake until chilled, then strain into a flute or coupe.

3. Top with chilled Prosecco and garnish with a lemon twist.

Notes from the Bar

• Serve in a Champagne flute or coupe for a refined, sparkling presentation.

• Use a London Dry gin for a crisp profile or Hendrick’s for a floral twist.

• Dry prosecco or brut Champagne keeps the cocktail lively and bright.

• A simple lemon twist is all it needs for an elegant finish.

• To batch ahead, mix 6 oz gin, 4½ oz hibiscus syrup, and 3 oz lemon juice in a small pitcher; chill, then top each flute with 3 oz prosecco just before serving.

Hibiscus Bourbon Smash

A cozy, ruby-hued cocktail that layers bourbon warmth with floral brightness.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon

• ¾ oz spiced hibiscus syrup

• ½ oz lemon juice

• 2 dashes Angostura bitters

• 2-3 blackberries, fresh or frozen

• Crushed ice

• Garnish: basil sprig + cinnamon stick

Instructions

1. In a shaker glass, muddle the hibiscus syrup and blackberries.

2. Add bourbon, lemon juice, bitters and ice.

3. Shake until chilled and strain over crushed ice.

4. Garnish with fresh basil and a cinnamon stick.

Notes from the Bar

• Serve in a short rocks glass or julep cup to keep the crushed ice mound secure.

• Rittenhouse Rye adds a subtle spice that pairs beautifully with the hibiscus syrup.

• Fee Brothers Old Fashioned Bitters add a warm, aromatic depth.

• Crushed ice keeps the texture frosty and balanced.

• For a festive twist, dust the top lightly with powdered sugar for a snowy winter look.

• To batch, combine 12 oz bourbon, 4½ oz hibiscus syrup, 3 oz lemon juice, and 12 dashes bitters in a pitcher; chill and pour over ice when ready to serve.

Spiced Hibiscus Rum Punch

Tropical meets holiday elegance in this juicy, ruby-red punch with a touch of spice.

Ingredients

• 2 oz white rum

• ¾ oz spiced hibiscus syrup

• ½ oz lime juice

• 2 oz pineapple juice

• Dash of bitters (optional)

Instructions

1. Add rum, hibiscus syrup, lime juice, and pineapple juice to a shaker with ice.

2. Shake until chilled and strain into a glass with fresh ice.

3. Garnish with lime wheel and hibiscus petal.

Notes from the Bar

• Serve in a large wine glass or stemmed goblet for a colorful, island-inspired look.

• White rum keeps it light and tropical, while aged rum adds a richer depth.

• Pineapple juice enhances both color and sweetness, creating a vivid magenta hue.

• Add a splash of soda water for a softer, more refreshing version.

• For batching, combine 12 oz rum, 4½ oz hibiscus syrup, 3 oz lime juice, and 12 oz pineapple juice in a pitcher; chill and serve over ice.

Hibiscus Gin Fizz

A silky, floral gin fizz with a creamy foam top and jewel-toned color. Elegant yet playful.

Ingredients

• 2 oz gin

• 1 oz spiced hibiscus syrup

• 1 oz lemon juice

• ¾ oz heavy cream

• 1 egg white (or ¾ oz aquafaba)

• 1 oz soda water (in bottom of glass)

• Garnish: dried lemon wheel + hibiscus flower

Instructions

1. Shake all ingredients (except soda water) with a large ice cube until well chilled.

2. Discard ice and shake again (dry shake) to build the foam.

3. Pour 1 oz soda into the bottom of a chilled Collins glass.

4. Double strain cocktail over the soda.

5. Freeze 5–10 min to set the foam.

6. Poke a hole in the foam and add a touch more soda for a dramatic dome.

7. Garnish with star anise.

   
   

Notes from the Bar

• Serve in a tall Collins glass to showcase the height of the foam.

• Dry-shake all ingredients first to build a stable foam before adding ice.

• Heavy cream softens the hibiscus’ tart edge and creates a velvety texture.

• Empress 1908 gin intensifies the color if you want an extra jewel-tone effect.

• Pour gently over soda for that signature layered finish, and top with a dried lemon wheel or hibiscus flower.

• This cocktail is best made individually, not batched.

Hibiscus Gin & Tonic

A clean, crisp finish to the collection. Simple, refreshing, and perfectly pink.

Ingredients

• 2 oz gin

• ½ oz spiced hibiscus syrup

• Top with tonic water

• Garnish: dried lime or hibiscus petal

Instructions

1. Fill a highball glass with ice.

2. Add gin and hibiscus syrup, then top with tonic water.

3. Stir gently and garnish with a dried lime wheel or hibiscus petal.

Notes from the Bar

• Serve in a stemmed balloon or wine glass to leave room for ice and garnish.

• Tanqueray or Beefeater let the hibiscus shine, while Aviation adds a soft botanical note.

• If tonic isn’t your style, swap it for prosecco or club soda to make a hibiscus gin spritz.

• A dried lime wheel or single hibiscus petal adds a simple, elegant garnish.

• For batching, mix 12 oz gin and 3 oz hibiscus syrup in a pitcher; chill and pour over ice, topping each glass with 3 oz tonic or bubbly.

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Explore More Cocktails

This hibiscus lineup is just the beginning. Our full cocktail collection includes classics, seasonal favorites, and creative twists for every occasion.

→ 6 Thanksgiving Cocktails to Sip & Celebrate

→ Explore the Full Cocktail Library

About Us

Hi, we’re Kevin & Kate, the husband-and-wife team behind Date Nite. Each week, we craft a thoughtful date night experience, ccomplete with a restaurant-quality menu, elevated cocktail, and curated playlist, designed to help couples slow down, connect, and savor the beauty of love and food together.

Explore more of our cocktail recipes to find your next favorite pour.

Or, discover Date Nite, our weekly at-home experience for couples who want to make connection a delicious ritual.