Best Refreshing Summer Drink: Hibiscus Cardamom Iced Latte
Sip your way through summer with this hibiscus cardamom iced latte. After making this refreshing drink dozens of times, I’ve discovered the perfect balance of tart and sweet, with a hint of spice from the cardamom. It’s like a vacation in a glass, and it’s so much better than anything you can buy at a coffee shop. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Grilled Shrimp and Avocado Bowl Recipe and Easy High Protein Chicken and Corn Chowder Recipe.
Why This Best Refreshing Summer Drink: Hibiscus Cardamom Iced Latte Is Pure Comfort
- Tart and sweet flavors that dance on your tongue
- Exotic spices that transport you to a tropical vacation
- Easy to make at home and customize to your taste
- Better than any store-bought iced latte
What You'll Need for Best Refreshing Summer Drink: Hibiscus Cardamom Iced Latte
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Hibiscus flowers
- Sugar
- Water
- Strong brewed coffee
- Milk of choice
- Ice cubes
- Cardamom pods
- Vanilla extract
- Lemon juice
- Optional: Coconut whipped cream
- Optional: Fresh mint leaves
- Optional: Star anise
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Hibiscus flowers: You can find these dried in the bulk section of most grocery stores or online.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Coffee Maker — Makes the perfect strong brew for this iced latte → See on Amazon
- Immersion Blender — Ensures a smooth hibiscus tea base → See on Amazon
How to Make Best Refreshing Summer Drink: Hibiscus Cardamom Iced Latte
- Step 1: Steep 1 cup of dried hibiscus flowers in 4 cups of boiling water for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: Strain the hibiscus tea and discard the flowers. Stir in 1/2 cup of sugar until dissolved.
- Step 3: Brew a strong pot of coffee and let it cool to room temperature.
- Step 4: In a blender, combine 1/2 cup of the hibiscus tea, 1/2 cup of the cooled coffee, 1/2 cup of milk, 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 2-3 cardamom pods. Blend until smooth.
- Step 5: Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the hibiscus cardamom iced latte over the ice. Top with coconut whipped cream, fresh mint leaves, and a star anise pod if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Best Refreshing Summer Drink: Hibiscus Cardamom Iced Latte
- Common mistake and fix: Don't oversteep the hibiscus flowers or the tea will become bitter. If this happens, simply add more sugar to balance the flavors.
- Pro tip: For a stronger cardamom flavor, crush the cardamom pods slightly before blending.
- Pro tip: Make a big batch of hibiscus tea and store it in the fridge for easy iced lattes all week long.
Storing & Reheating Best Refreshing Summer Drink: Hibiscus Cardamom Iced Latte
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftover hibiscus tea in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Make-ahead tip: The hibiscus tea can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge.
Freezing Best Refreshing Summer Drink: Hibiscus Cardamom Iced Latte
Not recommended for this recipe.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not applicable. Microwave: Not applicable.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the blender.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the hibiscus flowers with dried cranberries for a similar tart flavor.
- Make-ahead: The hibiscus tea can be made up to 1 week ahead of time.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your iced latte is too strong, simply add more milk to dilute it.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality blender — Ensures a smooth and creamy iced latte every time → Check price on Amazon
Best Refreshing Summer Drink: Hibiscus Cardamom Iced Latte
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Hibiscus flowers
- Sugar
- Water
- Strong brewed coffee
- Milk of choice
- Ice cubes
Seasonings
- Cardamom pods
- Vanilla extract
- Lemon juice
Optional Toppings
- Coconut whipped cream
- Fresh mint leaves
- Star anise
Instructions
- Step 1: Steep 1 cup of dried hibiscus flowers in 4 cups of boiling water for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: Strain the hibiscus tea and discard the flowers. Stir in 1/2 cup of sugar until dissolved.
- Step 3: Brew a strong pot of coffee and let it cool to room temperature.
- Step 4: In a blender, combine 1/2 cup of the hibiscus tea, 1/2 cup of the cooled coffee, 1/2 cup of milk, 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 2-3 cardamom pods. Blend until smooth.
- Step 5: Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the hibiscus cardamom iced latte over the ice. Top with coconut whipped cream, fresh mint leaves, and a star anise pod if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the blender.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the hibiscus flowers with dried cranberries for a similar tart flavor.
- Make-ahead: The hibiscus tea can be made up to 1 week ahead of time.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your iced latte is too strong, simply add more milk to dilute it.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftover hibiscus tea in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- Freezer: Not recommended for this recipe.
- Oven reheat: Not applicable.
- Microwave reheat: Not applicable.
- Make ahead: The hibiscus tea can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 120
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 5g
- Carbs: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Cholesterol: 10mg
- Sat. Fat: 3g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Best Refreshing Summer Drink: Hibiscus Cardamom Iced Latte FAQs
Yes, you can make the hibiscus tea ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 1 week. However, it's best to blend the coffee, milk, and spices just before serving.
Oversteeping the hibiscus flowers can cause the tea to become bitter. If this happens, simply add more sugar to balance the flavors.
No, the air fryer is not the best tool for making this iced latte. It's best to use a blender for this recipe.
Dried cranberries can be used as a substitute for hibiscus flowers in this recipe.
While this is a refreshing summer drink, you can enjoy it year-round. Simply adjust the amount of ice to suit the temperature.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Best Refreshing Summer Drink: Hibiscus Cardamom Iced Latte and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
