Sorrel Drink – A spiced up floral drink, that will keep you going from now till the Holiday Season
Just look at this drink like… an early Christmas present from me to you, in August, when summer is winding down. One you are sooooo going to appreciate this time of the year. And gradually fall in love with , and then be “jolly happy” with, during this holiday Season.
I wanted to wait till the holidays to post this, and then I kept going back to it over and over again. Just decided to bite the bullet and go for it.
Although sorrel is mostly enjoyed during the holidays, I think this is the perfect time to get acquainted with this drink.
Sorrel Drink is dark red, a little sour, with a raspberry like flavor; made from the petals of sorrel plant (flor de Jamaica)” or hibiscus plant flower as popularly known in West Africa.
In Nigeria, it’s referred to as Zobo drink, in Jamaica and throughout the Caribbean Island it’s known as Sorrel Drink. You can get the tea version in your grocery store, labeled hibiscus tea.
It’s a fairly nutritional drink, rich in Vitamin A&C, magnesium, calcium, and potassium- however, that’s not its selling point.
The Benefits may lure you in, but the taste will keep you coming back for more.
It ‘s, tart, citrusy, spicy and sweet. And may I add it ‘s good and refreshing or should I say refreshingly good.
These petals are becoming increasing available that I can easily get them at most major and whole food markets, depending on the neighborhood store. My bet is most International Markets do carry them- African, Caribbean, Hispanic and some Asian markets
The Dried version is just as good as the fresh ones. No worries! For mortals like us, it’s works fine. This is a just a guide, you may add more or less flavoring, water to suit your needs, make it work for you , there is no formula for it.
During the holidays it is a must to throw in some rum to make it a true festive Caribbean Drink.
Enjoy!
Sorrel Drink- A spiced up floral drink, that will keep you going from now till the Holiday Season
- 10 cups water or more adjust to taste
- ¼ cup chopped ginger
- 2 cups dried red sorrel buds
- 8-10 cracked pimentos
- 1 lime chopped
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Oranges sliced optional
- Rum to taste optional
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup sugar
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In a medium bowl bring to a boil 2 cups water and sugar. Simmer until sugar has dissolved. Allow cooling
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Place sorrel in a large bowl, together with ginger, lime, pimentos (all spice and cinnamon stick. Heat up water in a kettle, pot or microwave, until it boils.
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Gently pour boiled water to the bowl of Let steep about 45 minutes or more. You may refrigerate overnight in the fridge for a more potent flavor.
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When ready to serve sieve ingredients, with fine sieve and discard all particles. Reserve drink
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Add simple syrup as needed, together with rum according to preference and orange slices.
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Serve with ice.
- These petals are becoming increasing available that I can easily get them at most major and whole food markets, depending on the neighborhood store. My bet is most International Markets do carry them- African, Caribbean, Hispanic and some Asian markets. The Dried version is just as good as the fresh ones.
- This is a just a guide, you may add more or less flavoring, water to suit your needs, make it work for you , there is no formula for it.
Patra says
13 Jun, 2019 at 4:02 amYour recipes keep my kitchen lively and this sorrel is no exception, I’m making this for a graduation celebration-sorrel is year round for me!
Thank you for being such an excellent resource of information Imma.
Angela says
18 Apr, 2019 at 5:59 amI live in Panamá central América and our season to have fresh sorrel is end of November, to January we do boil it, but this year I will try soaking it overnight. Blessings.
Daniel says
26 Mar, 2019 at 4:27 amyour article is very good. I can’t wait to try it with my family. Thank you for sharing ideas with me. I’m waiting for your next article.
imma africanbites says
27 Mar, 2019 at 3:07 amYou’re welcome. Happy to have you here. Enjoy!
Lester White says
27 Dec, 2018 at 1:19 pmI just started growing “Sorrel” this year. Hibiscus sabdariffa ‘Roselle’ (or Roselle) is what to look for if you want to grow it. I am sold-out for the year, except seeds. I will grow much more next year.
Feel free to contact me. Lester_white@yahoo.com
Tanyah says
25 Feb, 2018 at 8:33 pmI make Sorrel a drink that is in my refrigerator all year around. Never included lime but I will try it . Rich in vitamin C the potence in sorrel is very deficical.the older it gets the better it taste.
ImmaculateBites says
2 Mar, 2018 at 3:02 amHi Tanya! Thanks for sharing!!
Sherri says
18 Oct, 2018 at 5:43 amWhat are cracked pimentos?
ImmaculateBites says
21 Oct, 2018 at 6:11 amCracked pimentos are resemble peppercorns but taste like a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. They are indigenous to Jamaica
Lisa says
9 Nov, 2018 at 5:54 amAllspice berries
Toni says
20 Apr, 2017 at 8:14 amHello Imma,
My 83 year old uncle recently turned me onto Sorrel juice. He soaks the sorrel pedals in water over night, drains, and just adds sweetener. I love the color & the taste. It is so refreshing. Since then, I’ve seen many recipes on-line calling to boil the sorrel pedals. Does boiling make that much of a difference? Does it make the juice more potent?
ImmaculateBites says
23 Apr, 2017 at 6:49 pmIt really doesn’t if you soak it over night. Thanks for the time to share your thoughts with us.
April says
15 Apr, 2017 at 1:53 pmThank you so much for this recipe. My regular Jamaican spot only sells sorrel drink at Christmas, and last year, they didn’t even do it! But just today, my butcher must have come into a shipment of bags of sorrel blossoms because he was having a crazy sale, and now, I can make my own! Best case!
ImmaculateBites says
15 Apr, 2017 at 4:32 pmNothing beats homemade. AND you can spice it up however you like. Cheers!!!!
Christie says
9 Apr, 2017 at 1:40 pmI absolutely LOVE Sorrel. I had it when in Jamaica, but failed to ask what it was, as a result I didn’t think I would ever drink it again. Low and behold a few years later a friend had a BBQ gathering at her home & served Sorrel. We now have it a few times a year. The only place we have ever found the hibiscus flower is at Mexican Markets.
ImmaculateBites says
9 Apr, 2017 at 1:50 pmIsn’t it such a refreshing drink? Absolutely! Readily available at most Hispanic markets. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with Christie. Happy Sunday
Jessica says
16 Dec, 2017 at 4:52 amIt’s found in any west Indian Spanish or African markets duh
Donna says
20 Dec, 2016 at 3:51 pmHi guys,
I am a bit worried!
As much as I love sorrel, lately I’ve had doubts about the drink.
Reason is because, when a little bit of (ready made) sorrel is added to a bit of water, it turns darkish, like it contains dye. This never happened in the past, cause I grew up drinking sorrel in Dominica.
Maybe am just paranoid, because lately Chinese are injecting foods, and adding dangerous stuff to some of the foods we eat, which is a big cause for concern.
My question is: Do you all think they may be adding dye to the sorrel as well?
With fake eggs, plastic rice, white gluey substance is shrimps, injecting fish, fake beef, fake lettuce, fake milo etc, can anyone blame me for asking?
Please help!
Heather says
18 Oct, 2017 at 11:47 pmDon’t be afraid Donna. Buy it at an Hispanic market. There it is called Jamaica. So, so delicious. My aunt suggested it to me for a friend’s hypertension and allergies. Sorrel tea was so good, we drink it now just for the taste. We can’t get enough.
ImmaculateBites says
19 Oct, 2017 at 6:16 amHi Heather! Thanks for taking the time to share this with us .
Jessica says
16 Dec, 2017 at 4:50 amI haven’t heard of this however your on point with your post I will definitely investigate I’m west Indian this recipe is on point
Naja says
9 Apr, 2019 at 6:36 pmMy family is from Tobago.. ..of Trinidad and Tobago. I drink it my whole life dad made it all the time. I thought everyone drunk it when I was little. But I thank my dad for all the healthy drinks and food he has bestowed upon me. I thought it was a Tobago thing, didn’t know Jamaicans drink it also.
Cynthia says
25 Aug, 2015 at 5:39 amIf you are ever able to get the fresh sorrel, to make this drink, you will fall even more in love with it.
Elizabeth says
25 Aug, 2015 at 4:08 amI love the colour! I drink a lot of hibiscus tea, but never knew it was sorrel. When I saw this post I was actually wondering what exactly sorrel was. Hibiscus teas was very popular when we were traveling through Turkey.
Kristi @ My SF Kitchen says
24 Aug, 2015 at 7:18 pmThis is great! I love when Christmas comes early 🙂
Maggie says
24 Aug, 2015 at 9:39 amI never tried Sorrel petals but I think I had something similar. I like the refreshing flavor in this drink and of course its color! Will check it out next time at WHoleFoods 🙂
LydiaF says
23 Aug, 2015 at 8:30 amThis is my favorite summer drink. I buy the bags in the Latin section of the grocery store. I haven’t found it in bags here in Spain, but the dried flowers are available. I’m going to try it with your suggested seasonings 🙂
Becky T says
22 Aug, 2015 at 8:45 amWhat are the “cracked pimentos”?
Is that whole black peppers corns?
N. Powell says
25 Jul, 2018 at 6:00 pmPimentos are often found in most stores under the name “allspice ” . They are one and the same.
Katalina @ Peas & Peonies says
21 Aug, 2015 at 5:34 pmyummy, one of this would make my Friday evening perfect!
Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom says
21 Aug, 2015 at 11:13 amI’m so glad you decided to share this now, instead of waiting for the holidays! I’ve never had sorrel juice, but it looks and sounds wonderful! I just love that gem-like color!
ImmaculateBites says
21 Aug, 2015 at 11:30 amSo glad you agree with me Kathleen!
Nagi@RecipeTinEats says
20 Aug, 2015 at 12:58 pmWoah! check out the colour of that drink! I love it. Sharing! 🙂
ImmaculateBites says
20 Aug, 2015 at 4:58 pmYay!Thank you girl!