To make hibiscus tea, you need to steep the dried leaves. I like to make a hibiscus simple syrup first. For 1 cup of hibiscus simple syrup: You’ll need 1 cup dried hibiscus leaves, 1 cup water, and ¾ cups sugar. Turn on the heat to medium in a medium pot add the hibiscus leaves, water, and sugar together. Bring to a boil, remove from heat and cool for 15 minutes.