Finally, I was in the mood to make a recipe for Valentine’s Day. I went back to my favorite floral flavor – roses.
This time I used it in this tequila Rose Syrup Cocktail.
You can leave out the tequila if you don’t imbibe or use a zero alcohol version like this Ritual Zero Proof Tequila, and I have a few ways for you to make your own rose syrup.
If you want a chocolate cocktail you need to try this Chocolate Manhattan. It’s great and check Barnivore to make sure the creme de cacao you want to use is vegan.
This jar of Wild Hibiscus Flowers in Rose Syrup has been sitting in my cabinet, and was my inspiration for this cocktail.
The syrup gets its red color from the hibiscus flowers so you won’t find artificial or non-vegan food colorings.
Don’t have a fancy-schmancy bottle of Wild Hibiscus Flowers in Rose Syrup lurking in your cabinet?
There is a touch of soy lecithin in it and maybe you can’t have soy?
Don’t worry, because I’m going to tell you how to make your own in a flash. Just keep reading.
Below are a few ways to make a homemade rose syrup. If you want more information on making your own simple syrup take a peek at this article on Imbibe. They have several recipes including one with agave nectar.
- Use 1/4 cup simple syrup and mix in 2 teaspoons of rose water, or to taste.
- I used 1/4 cup of NuNaturals Simple Syrup and added 2 teaspoons of rosewater. I like the NuNaturals Simple Syrup because it’s glycerin that makes it thick like the sugar-based one.
- Don’t make the rose syrup at all and add some rose water to taste to the lemonade and tequila mixture.
If you’re out of lemonade just squeeze 1/2 lemon into a glass and sweeten it with the sweetener of your choice, then add a little rose water to taste.
Since you can just leave out the tequila to make it a mocktail, there’s really no excuse to not make this.
Well, there is one. If you hate all drinks and food that taste like flowers you’re excused from this one!
What do hibiscus flowers taste like?
Hibiscus’ tart flavor is reminiscent of cranberry or pomegranate. Because it’s not a sweetly floral flavor, it works well in savory dishes, too.
More cocktail recipes to try
Break out the mold and try this mezcal negroni. It has a smoky agave flavor from the mezcal, and can easily be veganized by swapping out the Campari for Luxardo Bitter Rosso or another vegan amoro.
I love pumpkin spice so my pumpkin spice cocktail is a must-try. You just need some hard cider, my homemade pumpkin spice syrup, and some bitters.
I recently found a new passion fruit cocktail that’s amazing. Don’t judge it by its name, because this pornstar martini is delicious. It uses vanilla vodka, passion fruit puree, and liquor.
My fresh raspberry gin cocktail with thyme is a great summer cocktail, but you can change out the fruit and herbs to reflect the season.
Heartbreaker Rose Syrup Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 ounce tequila , or use sparkling water or zero proof tequila to make it a mocktail
- 1 ounce lemonade more for a less strong drink
- 1 1/2 teaspoons rose syrup homemade or from a jar of Wild Edible Hibiscus Flowers in Rose Syrup
- crushed ice
- candied hibiscus blossom optional
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together and serve over crushed iced.
- Garnish with a candied hibiscus blossom if you have one or a few dried rose petals that are food grade.
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