The first sip of Caribbean sorrel brings me back to wonderful childhood memories. As a child in Guyana I remember my mom serving sorrel as a welcome drink to any guest that came to visit during the Christmas holiday season. She would always accompany this drink with a slice of traditional Guyanese black cake..oh so good!!!. These are the childhood memories that you remember forever and I hope you can use this recipe to create new memories with your own families.
Sorrel drink is a popular refreshment in both the Caribbean and Africa, in Ghana it’s called Sobolo and in Nigeria it is referred to as Zobo. The drink is made from the dried calyces of the hibiscus plant. It’s scientific name is Roselle or Hibiscus sabdariffa. Roselle (Sorrel) is believed to help lower elevated blood pressure, bad cholesterol and detoxify the entire body. It is also rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants like vitamin C. Therefore this combination creates an especially healthy drink which is also highly flavoured through sweetness and infused spices such as cinnamon and clove. Sorrel is usually served with ice and it’s soo refreshing, don’t worry you’re not limited to only the holiday season for drinking Sorrel, I now drink this delicious drink the whole year round!!! I get so excited about making it everytime i do.
There are a lot of different ways to make Sorrel and this is the way I make mine… I hope you enjoy it ?
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon chopped ginger (cut into medium pieces)
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tbsp clove
- 3 cups sorrel/hibiscus leaves
- ¼ tsp mixed essence
- Peel of 1 orange
- 16 cups water
- ½ fresh lemon
- Strawberry and orange to garnish
Directions
- Crush cinnamon sticks into small pieces.
- Into a pot add 16 cups of water along with cinnamon, clove, orange peel, ginger & sorrel.
- Bring the ingredients to a boil for 5 mins then remove from the heat and allow to infuse overnight.
- The following day strain the sorrel drink into a jug.
- Then add 2. 5 bottles of water (1 bottle was 16.9 fl oz) and 2.5-3 cups of sugar. Mix to combine (remember you will be adding lots of ice so its ok if it’s a bit sweet but not too much)
- Add lemon and essence to finish
- Serve in a glass filled with ice and garnish with strawberry and orange.
