The Berry Hibiscus Smash is a bright and botanical cocktail featuring C&H® Light Brown Sugar, hibiscus, vodka, strawberries, lime, and club soda.

I partnered with C&H® Sugar to make the Berry Hibiscus Smash! Recipe and ideas are my own.

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The Berry Hibiscus Smash

Craving a refreshing cocktail for the summertime? The Berry Hibiscus Smash is the ideal libation to sip on this season. It’s fresh and floral with a sparkling finish. Plus, I incorporated a  homemade specialty syrup, the Brown Sugar Hibiscus Syrup, that’s a must-try! Let’s mix up the Berry Hibiscus Smash, it’s the perfect cocktail to kick off the summer with. Cheers! 

P.S. Keep reading to find out how to make the homemade Brown Sugar Hibiscus Syrup made with C&H® Light Brown Sugar.

How To Incorporate C&H Sugar Into Your Mixed Drinks

One of my favorite ways to level up a cocktail or mocktail is by adding a specialty, homemade syrup. Create your own specialty syrup like the Brown Sugar Hibiscus Syrup using only 3 ingredients – water, C&H® Light Brown Sugar, and dried hibiscus flowers.

I love using C&H® Sugar, it’s my preferred brand. With over 100 years of experience, it’s evident their products are superior. My favorite way to use C&H® Sugar is in my specialty syrups. It adds such a natural sweetness. Click here to view C&H® Sugar’s products and check out their brand new packaging featuring a hibiscus flower as well! 

For the Berry Hibiscus Smash recipe, I used  C&H® Light Brown Sugar which adds a nutty, caramel flavor and so much depth to this cocktail.

Ingredients for the Berry Hibiscus Smash

Mix up this delicious cocktail for your summertime festivities. See what I used to create the refreshing Berry Hibiscus Smash. 

• Strawberries: Fresh strawberries make the perfect base for this cocktail but any berry you have on hand will work.
• Brown Sugar: A high-quality brown sugar like C&H® Light Brown Sugar adds nutty caramel and subtle molasses notes to the Brown Sugar Hibiscus Syrup. C&H® Dark Brown Sugar would also work really well in this recipe.
• Dried Hibiscus Flowers: You can find dried hibiscus flowers (sometimes called flor de jamaica) at many grocery stores and specialty markets. You can also substitute 2 hibiscus tea bags in this recipe.
• Vodka: Use your preferred brand of high-quality vodka. I recommend using Ketel One Vodka or Tito’s Handmade Vodka. Check out this article here to give you some more recommendations. If desired, you can substitute the vodka for gin or whiskey.
• Lime juice: Fresh lime juice is best to add citrus notes that balance wonderfully with the Brown Sugar Hibiscus Syrup. 
• Club soda: A splash of club soda will give you that bubbly finish. Feel free to substitute the club soda for sparkling water.
• Garnish: (optional, but highly recommended) add strawberries, a lime wheel, and hibiscus flowers for garnish.

How to Make the Brown Sugar Hibiscus Syrup

Start by adding C&H® Light Brown Sugar and water to a small saucepan over medium heat and bringing it to a boil, while stirring occasionally until the brown sugar has dissolved. Next, remove the mixture from the heat and add dried hibiscus flowers. Steep for 15 minutes and let the syrup cool completely. Strain the mixture into an airtight container, discarding the hibiscus flowers. Store in a sealable jar and use it for other cocktails, mocktails, or tea! Store any extra Brown Sugar Hibiscus Syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

How to Make the Berry Hibiscus Smash

Now that you’ve crafted the Brown Sugar Hibiscus Syrup, let’s make the Berry Hibiscus Smash Cocktail! 

Start by adding your strawberries and the Brown Sugar Hibiscus Syrup to a cocktail glass. Muddle until the strawberries are broken down, and allow the strawberries and the mixture to infuse. Then, add vodka and lime juice to the cocktail glass and stir with a bar spoon. Fill the glass with ice, and top the glass with club soda. If desired, garnish with a strawberry and lime wheel, and a hibiscus flower.

More Vodka-Based Cocktail Recipes

• Almond Espresso Martini
• Basil Limoncello Cocktail
• Cucumber Vodka Soda
• Raspberry Rose Lemon Drop – This recipe uses C&H® Sugar too!!

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