Jamaican Sorrel Drink

Jamaican Sorrel Drink is a popular festive holiday beverage all over the Caribbean. The unique flavor combination of sorrel and seasonal spices is sure to become a new favorite tradition over!!

Growing up in Sierra Leone, bissap juice (known as hibiscus juice across most of Africa and zobo drink in Nigeria) was also family favorite during the holidays.

Related Link : Best Ever Jamaican Rice And Peas.

Served at all of our family celebrations and gatherings, adults and kids alike quenched their thirst with this deliciously cheerful red bissap juice drink. Serve in chilled glasses or Mason Jars.

What is Sorrel Drink?

What is Sorrel Drink, exactly? Sorrel is the Jamaican name for a type of hibiscus flower known as the Roselle. 

The dried sepals of the hibiscus flower (not the petals) create a versatile and colorful red juice when infused with hot water and spices such as ginger and allspice.

The drink itself quite tart and does need sweetening.

You will find sorrel in African, Caribbean and sometimes Asian markets or shops but if all else fails you can order some from an online retailer. The dried flowers last for quite a while when stored in an airtight Mason Jar.

And while this is a refreshing drink that is enjoyed all year long, its festive color and delicious spiced flavor really is perfectly suited for Christmas.

Related Link : Jamaican Rum Punch.

So, are you ready to spice up your holiday celebrations? Then gather up those ingredients and let me show you…..

How To Make Jamaican Sorrel Drink

Ingredients:

• water
• dried sorrel
• grated fresh ginger
• allspice berries
• cloves
• orange peel
• simple syrup or maple syrup, to sweeten

Make It:

1. Boil water in a saucepan.
2. Add in sorrel, ginger, berries, cloves, and orange peel.
3. Let mixture steep for about an hour in the pan.
4. Meanwhile, make the simple syrup (follow my easy recipe below) and set aside.
5. Strain sorrel juice into a pitcher and sweeten with maple syrup, to taste.
6. Serve over ice and garnish with orange and lime wedges.

How to Make Simple Sugar Syrup

Making your own simple syrup is quite easy.

Just add 1 cup sugar and 1 cup of water to a saucepan, and cook on low heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. As soon as sugar is dissolved, remove from heat and let it cool.

For a thicker syrup, you can use a 2:1 ratio. Add 2 cups sugar and 1 cup of water to a saucepan, and cook until sugar is dissolved.

If you do make a thicker syrup like this, note that you will need to use less to your cocktail. Spice jars are great for storing leftover syrup.

Related Link : Non-Alcoholic Sangria:

Recipe Tips

• This recipe uses dried sorrel. If using fresh hibiscus, the drink will be a lighter red.
• For a deeper red color, add a few more tablespoons of sorrel.

• When entertaining a crowd, simply double (or even triple) this recipe.
• Prep it ahead of time and just store in the fridge until needed.
• Use a sharp knife to cut off the peel from an orange if you need to.

Delicious Variations

• Make it into a punch – spike it with rum for a delicious adults-only version.
• Add fruit – colourful fruit slices will add to the festive look.
• Vary the sweetener – feel free to sweeten with maple syrup or honey.

Storage

Refrigerate in an airtight container and store for up to 1 week.

More Jamaican Recipes

• Jamaican Steamed Cabbage
• Jamaican Rum Punch
• Jamaican Sorrel Moscow Mule
• Jamaican Rice And Peas Recipe.
• Instant Pot Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge
• Jamaican Curried Goat
• Jamaican Carrot Soup
• Jamaican Mackerel Run Down.

Serving Suggestions

• Instant Pot Whole Chicken
• Instant Pot Pumpkin and Plantain Curry
• Jamaican Curried Goat
• Air Fryer Pork Chops

Weight Watchers Points

There is 1 Freestyle SmartPoint in a serving of this beverage.

Thank you for reading my hibiscus juice drink / Jamaican Sorrel recipe post.  And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

Originally published Dec 2019.

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