People have been drinking hibiscus for centuries, across West Africa, the Caribbean, Mexico and the Middle East, and not just because it tastes good. That deep ruby colour is a clue: it comes from natural plant compounds that researchers have been studying for years. So what are the real benefits of a hibiscus drink, and how much of it is hype?
Here's an honest look at what hibiscus actually offers, and how to enjoy it without undoing the good with a mountain of added sugar.
Hibiscus (the calyces of the Roselle plant) is naturally rich in antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, the same family of compounds that give berries and red cabbage their colour. It also contains vitamin C and various polyphenols and organic acids. It's naturally caffeine-free, which is part of why it's enjoyed at any time of day.
A quick honest note: hibiscus is a food, not a treatment. If you're pregnant, on blood-pressure medication or managing a health condition, it's always worth a word with your doctor.
Here's where most shop-bought versions fall down. Hibiscus is naturally tart, so a lot of brands bury it under sugar or make it from concentrate, which quietly cancels out the reason you'd reach for it in the first place. If you're drinking hibiscus for the benefits, the added sugar matters.
That's exactly why we made our hibiscus drink the way we did: brewed from whole dried hibiscus with real fruit and spice, and zero added sugar. You get the tart, floral character of real hibiscus, and the good stuff that comes with it, without the sugar spike. (New to it? Here's what zobo, the West African hibiscus drink, actually is.)
Serve it well chilled over ice, with a slice of orange or lime to lift the citrus notes. It's brilliant as an everyday soft-drink swap, a dinner-table drink, or a sophisticated non-alcoholic option when you want something more interesting than water.
If you've been looking for a natural, low-sugar drink that actually has something behind it, hibiscus is hard to beat.
Hibiscus drink is made from the dried calyces of the Roselle plant, brewed into a deep ruby, tart and floral drink. It is naturally rich in antioxidants and caffeine free. Cofa makes it with real fruit and spice and no added sugar, unlike most shop-bought versions.
Bold, tart and floral, a little like cranberry or pomegranate, with a clean, refreshing finish. Cofa Original is smooth and balanced, while Ginger Rush adds a kick of real ginger.
Serve it well chilled over ice with a slice of orange or lime. It is a great everyday soft-drink swap, a dinner-table drink, or a base for alcohol-free spritzes and mocktails.
No. Hibiscus is naturally caffeine free, which makes it a good alternative to tea, coffee or sugary soft drinks at any time of day.
You can buy hibiscus drink online from Cofa Juice, small-batch brewed in Yorkshire with zero added sugar and delivered across the UK.
Shop Cofa Hibiscus Drink →