Dried hibiscus sold for use in food and drink looks a lot like flower petals, but these products are made from the calyx, or outermost part of the flower, rather than the flower itself. These hibiscus "tea leaves" have a tart berry flavor similar to raspberry, with a deep magenta to brown color that can turn your cocktail a gorgeous pink or red.

To add a striking flavor and color to your drinks, use crushed hibiscus leaves as garnish to create the effect of tiny petals floating on the surface, which looks especially nice on a foamy bed of egg white. You can also infuse water with hibiscus and make ice cubes or an ice sphere, which will surely give your drink a bit of pizzazz.

Due to its raspberry and pomegranate-like flavor, dried hibiscus can replace grenadine or raspberry syrup in cocktails such as Clover Club or Pink Lady. Since dried hibiscus is meant for tea, it can also be used as a base for tea-focused cocktails, or they can be added to citrus-forward cocktails for a complex, floral aroma.

Dried hibiscus may be available in the tea section of your local grocery store, though it might come in individual sachets for single-serving tea. To buy dried hibiscus in bulk for your cocktail needs, you might need to look for packages at retailers like Amazon, Walmart, or independent tea vendors on sites like iHerb.