Caribbean sorrel drink recipe – Sorrel a wonderful spice infused beverage that’s consumed during Christmas and throughout the new year period.
As we are fast approaching Christmas I’ve been working hard behind the scenes on a few projects. Although with that being said I couldn’t miss the opportunity to submit this wonderful this Sorrel drink recipe.
Grab a glass, sit back and get yourself in a festive mood with this delicious Jamaican Christmas drink.
What is sorrel?
Sorrel not to be mistaken for the common or garden sorrel is a species native to West Africa which was brought over to the Caribbean during the transatlantic slave period.
The flower when fully matured bears a bright crimson hue and this is what is used to make the drink. Some of you maybe familiar with this plant as it has several different names; Florida Cranberry, Roselle, Hibiscus Sabdariffa, Saril, Bissap just to name a few and believe me there are SO many names for it.
With that being said I want to focus on the Caribbean style of making Sorrel as this is what the post is about.
If you’re lucky enough to have visited the islands during the festive season, then you already know about some the culinary dishes which are prepared during this time.
Each island brings something unique to the table and that is what I love about the Caribbean embracing each island’s uniqueness.
Where can I buy sorrel
You can purchase fresh or dried sorrel from most ethnic grocery stores – Latin, African or Caribbean and Asian stores tend to stock it as well.
Traditional Caribbean food and drink
You can find any various food and drink traditions such as pastelles (Trinidad) cremas (Haiti) jug jug (Barbdos) or even pepperpot (Guyana). Although the aforementioned are unique to each island, they do share some similarities for instance most islands enjoy their sorrel drink along with some black cake (a sweet fruit cake) during Christmas.
The Caribbean sorrel is made using the bright red petals with water, spices, ginger and sugar to sweeten. Some people prefer to add a splash of alcohol to their sorrel making it an all exclusive grown up affair.
When I was growing up my grandmother would make two batches of sorrel one for the children and the other one as she would say “fix it up” with rum, we weren’t allowed to drink that one.
There are other drinks that are alcohol free and suitable for the festive season such as Coquito drink (Puerto Rican coconut drink), Non Alcoholic Mulled Wine and Pouche de Creme (Trinidadian egg nog)
Sorrel drink health benefits
- High in vitamins and minerals
- Helps to detoxify the body
- Lowers blood pressure and bad cholestorol levels
- Acts as a diuretic and cleanses the kidneys
Caribbean sorrel variations
Caribbean sorrel is BIG business to the Island people during Christmas. There’s so delicious variations of Bajan sorrel, Trini sorrel, Jamaican sorrel etc…
Each person makes sorrel differently, for instance some add a large amount of ginger, yielding a strong pungent taste. I personally find Jamaicans tend to go hardcore on the ginger.
Others focus more on infusing the drink with spices – pimento seeds (allspice), cloves, mace, cinnamon and even orange peel. You wouldn’t use all of the spices at once, just select one or two of your preferred spices to include.
How to make sorrel drink
Adding your spices – You will need an admixture of ginger, pimento berries, cloves and orange peel.
Pimento (allspice) is a spice that covers a number of spices (nutmeg, cinnamon and mace) in one which explains why I simply toss a few whole berries into the boiling pot of water.
Add the ingredients while the water is warm – When the sorrel infused water has boiled, I add all of the spices, and ginger to the pot while it is still warm.
Adding the condiments to the pot during warmth allows the ingredients to fully infuse before the water completely cools down.
Notes and tips *updated*
I have made a few adjustments since I first posted this recipe
- It is best to steep overnight and strain the next day, however if this not possible then leave for at least 2-4 hours.
- In terms of sweetener I no longer use coconut sugar for this specific recipe. I find that low GI sweeteners such as agave nectar, coconut agave and unrefined maple syrup yield a much sweeter sorrel .
- If you want a STRONG (Jamaican style) ginger sorrel add the ginger in heap forms instead. Some people add more ginger once the sorrel is ready prior to stirring
- I now add my choosen sweetener AFTER straining the sorrel drink. This is because I am now using syrup instead.
- Sorrel is known as hibiscus so look out for either name when purchasing it
Other Caribbean drinks you may like
Sorrel drink recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups of dried sorrel
- 8 cups of cold water
- 2 whole cloves
- 2 tbsp of ginger grated (heaps for a STRONG taste of ginger)
- 6 pimento berries 1/2 tsp of allspice
- sweeten to taste - low GI agave nectar coconut nectar, maple syrup
- orange peel from a small orange
- optional add ins
- cinnamon sticks
- mace
- rum
Instructions
- In a large pot bring the water, sorrel and ginger to the boil.
- Then stir in your chosen spices, in which case that would be the cloves and pimento berries (allspice) followed by the orange peel.
- Simmer on low heat for 10 minutes.
- Remove the pot from the stove and leave to steep for 2-4 hours or preferably overnight
- Strain and discard the excess sorrel, peel and spices
- Sweeten to taste and serve
Notes
- It is best to steep overnight and strain the next day, however if this not possible then leave for at least 2-4 hours.
- In terms of sweetener I no longer use coconut sugar for this specific recipe. I find that low GI sweeteners such as agave nectar, coconut agave and unrefined maple syrup yield a much sweeter sorrel .
- If you want a STRONG (Jamaican style) ginger sorrel add the ginger in heap forms instead. Some people add more ginger once the sorrel is ready prior to stirring
- I now add my choosen sweetener AFTER straining the sorrel drink. This is because I am now using syrup instead.
- Sorrel is known as hibiscus so look out for either name when purchasing it
I think I read that sorrel is one part of the plant, and hibiscus is another. They come from the same plant but are not the same thing, just as mace is the shell around a nutmeg and is used as a spice on its own, and nutmeg is also a spice.
It’s really hard to find definitive literature on this, but I have come across many people who don’t think there’s a difference. Still, hibiscus tea doesn’t remind me of steel sorrel at all 🤔. I love sorrel though, whatever it is and I’m very proud of it being part of my culinary heritage.
Thank you sharing that information April 🙂
Oops, my apology for the typo, that should have been “it” instead of ut. 🙂
Hi Charla,
I made your sorrel recipe this weekend. It was delish! I like ut just as much as the
traditional version I usually make with alcohol. 🙂
Glad you enjoyed the sorrel
I’m in love with drinks that have a purple hue lol – where can I find sorrel though Charla?
Hi Whittney, thank you! You can purchase sorrel from most African Caribbean or Indian grocery store. Also, if you have a market that sells root vegetables they usually sell it amongst them. Let me know how you get on or if you need further assistance.