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    Home » Recipes » Sorrel: A spiced Caribbean Christmas drink

    Published: Apr 20, 2014. This post may contain affiliate links.

    Sorrel: A spiced Caribbean Christmas drink

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Hibiscus Tea, called Sorrel in the Caribbean, is a simple, tart and delicious beverage that can be served warm or cold. #hibiscus #sorrel

    Sorrel is a simple, tart and delicious spiced beverage served at Christmas. Made with hibiscus, it's best served over ice.

    Two glasses of iced sorrel with an orange slice.

    Sorrel, as it's called in the Caribbean, is also known as Hibiscus sabdariffa, not to be confused with the Common sorrel (Rumex acetosa). Both have a sour/acidic flavour and have health benefits.

    In the Caribbean sorrel is made with hibiscus and is most often served around Christmas when the fresh hibiscus is available. If someone says sorrel they may be referring to the prepared drink or the hibiscus used to make it.

    When I was in Trinidad last year I visited the local market a few times to stock up on fresh produce. I spent time wandering, talking & taking photos and came across a small vendor with piles of dried hibiscus (sorrel) on his table. After a nice chat I wandered off with a bag of sorrel, some Irish Moss and his very detailed instructions on how to make both (he wanted to make sure that I knew the right way).

    You don't need to go all the way to Trinidad or the Caribbean to get sorrel, most Caribbean or Asian markets will carry packaged, dried sorrel year-round. Sorrel can be found dried whole, broken down into smaller pieces, or sold as hibiscus tea in your local health food store.

    Whole dried sorrel on a white background

    Sometimes you'll find fresh sorrel (hibiscus) when it's in season, around December or January.

    Three whole fresh sorrel on a white background

    Why sorrel is so good

    Not only is sorrel a delicious beautiful, bright red beverage, it contains vitamin C and antioxidants. It's great on it's own or with a splash of rum for a more festive Christmas drink.

    Two glasses of iced sorrel with an orange slice.

    Sorrel made with Hibiscus

    Sorrel is a simple, tart and delicious spiced beverage served at Christmas in the Caribbean
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    2 hrs
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine Caribbean

    Ingredients
     
     

    • ½ cup dried sorrel if fresh hibiscus is available you can use 1 cup
    • 2 cups water
    • 1 inch fresh ginger
    • ½ tsp ground clove 1 - 2 if using a whole cloves
    • 1 cinnamon stick
    • 2 allspice berries
    • to taste sweetener of choice honey, coconut sugar, coconut nectar

    Instructions
     

    • Put dried sorrel/hibiscus and water into a pot on high heat and bring to a boil.
    • Add spices (ginger, cloves, allspice and cinnamon stick). Stir to incorporate.
    • Once boiling, lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
    • Add sweetener of choice to taste and stir to dissolve.
    • Cover and remove from heat. Let steep for 30 minutes.
    • Strain into a pitcher to remove sorrel leaves and ginger.
    • Refrigerate to chill before serving.
    • To serve pour over ice, add a splash of rum (optional) and enjoy!

    Notes

    You can steep for a longer period of time, even up to overnight.
    Ways to serve sorrel:
    • Serve chilled and over ice
    • Add some rum for a festive Christmas drink
    • Serve as is for a non-alcoholic beverage
    • Add some sparkling water to create a delicious fizzy drink
    Keyword Christmas dessert, hibiscus tea, sorrel
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Comments

    1. Tanya Antosik says

      June 10, 2014 at 7:18 pm

      This reminds me of the Agua de Jamaica that I've had in Mexico. Have you tried that also? I've also heard that hibiscus helps prevent wrinkles. If that's true, I'll be brewing up some sorrel very soon! 🙂 Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
      • Hema says

        June 17, 2014 at 4:02 pm

        I've never had Agua de Jamaica but I'll have to make sure to try it when in Mexico for TBEX.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Hema! I'm a Toronto-based nutritionist, workshop facilitator, wellness educator, speaker and part-time traveler. Join me to learn simple recipes, be introduced to new foods and food experiences.

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