Jamaican Sorrel Drink {Gluten Free, Vegan}

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.

Served at all of our family celebrations and gatherings, adults and kids alike quenched their thirst with this deliciously cheerful red bissap juice drink.

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 sorrel 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 container

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.

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

Jamaican Sorrel Drink Recipe Ingredients:

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

Jamaican Sorrel Drink Instructions:

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

Sorrel Drink Recipe Tips

• This recipe uses dried sorrel. If using fresh hibiscus, the drink will be a lighter red.
• For a deeper red color, add more 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.
• Spike it with rum for a delicious adults-only version.

Jamaican Sorrel Drink Serving Suggestions

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

Hibiscus Juice Weight Watchers Points

There is 1 Freestyle SmartPoint in a serving of Jamaican Sorrel Drink.

More Jamaican Recipes

• Jamaican Steamed Cabbage
• Jamaican Rum Punch
• Jamaican Sorrel Moscow Mule
• Instant Pot Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge
• Jamaican Curried Goat
• Jamaican Carrot Soup

Thank you for reading my hibiscus juice drink recipe post. And please visit again as I continue dreaming up recipes, traditional African recipes, African fusion recipes, Sierra Leone recipes, travel plans and much more for you. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, UK food blog.

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