Sorrel Drink
Sorrel Drink is the most popular drink used to be served mostly during Christmas in Jamaica, but now it’s served all year round. It has excellent health benefits too!
You can serve your guest with a refreshing sorrel drink and also the best giveaway on festive occasions or thanksgiving. Other amazing drinks to make, Ginger Turmeric Shot, Ginger Juice, and Irish Moss (Sea Moss).
What is Sorrel?
Sorrel is a cousin of the hibiscus tree, so not to be confused with the sorrel herb. The flower calyces are dried and made into a popular drink in the Caribbean, Latin America, and Rosella in Australia. It is called the Zobo drink in the Middle East and African countries in Nigeria. It has a tart cranberry flavor.
Jamaican Sorrel Drink
As I am conscious about the healthy diet from past health concerns, so I keep my recipes full of healthy ingredients. I am a massive lover of Sorrel tea or drink in winter, so before winters, I prepare my tea and store it to enjoy the whole season. Here is the recipe of how I make my Jamaican sorrel tea
Sorrel: The Sorrel will get more robust, and the longer it dips into the hot water, the tarter it gets.
I used the dried ones I already had for this recipe since most people will get the dried ones. Above, I share a photo of how the fresh ones look.
I’m fortunate to have an orange tree growing here; the tree is loaded with oranges. So I decided to add orange peel to my recipe. In Jamaican drinks, sugar is the sweetener of choice, but you can substitute sugars with maple syrup or liquid stevia.
I was fortunate to get a large bag of freshly picked Sorrel from a new friend here in Florida. I will be drying the calyces to last me throughout the year until I can grow my own.
What is sorrel good for?
- Sorrel drink has many health benefits mainly it contains Vitamin C,
- The calyces of the Sorrel are high in Vitamin C and flavonoids. Studies have shown that these properties have significant health benefits.
- They are anti-inflammatory, protecting the body from oxidative damages and helps in smooth digestion.
- Sorrel is used to treat bacterial infections along with traditional medications, to alleviate sudden and ongoing pain and swelling (inflammation) of the nasal passages and respiratory tract,
- and it is used to improve urine flow,
- It is also a herbal remedy to cure cancer and liver,
- Jamaican Sorrel drink also helps to reduce blood pressure.
- By significantly reducing elevated levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, Sorrel has been shown to minimize the risk of heart disease, as it helps avoid artery-clogging. It also has benefits when used daily.
- Sorrel drink also reduces cholesterol levels.
Jamaican Sorrel contains essential minerals:
Sorrel’s Vitamin C:
- It helps to build up the immune system and, especially at this time of the year, reduces the risk of having such diseases such as flu.
- Helps to absorb iron from dried peas, dried beans, and dark-green leafy vegetables (non-haem iron).
- Assists in the healing of bruises and cuts.
Vitamin B1 in Sorrel:
- It helps the body from the starchy foods consumed to provide more nutrition for the brain and nerve cells.
Vitamin B2 in Sorrel:
- It allows the body to get energy during exercise from the fat that is stored in the body.
- It prevents cell damage.
Flavonoids in Sorrel:
- Helping to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.
- It helps to lower blood sugar.
- It helps decrease the cholesterol of ‘poor cholesterol’ or low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and boost ‘healthy cholesterol’ or high-density lipoproteins (HDL).
Inadequate evidence of using Sorrel for other purposes:
- Breast cancer:
Early evidence shows that Sorrel taking by mouth, burdock root, does not boost the health of women who have breast cancer.
- Bronchitis:
Research indicates that ten days of consumption by the mouth of a particular combination product containing Sorrel, gentian root improves cough and other bronchitis symptoms.
- A large amount of sorrel may cause diarrhea,
- It also causes Infections and allergies or skin adverse reactions.
Special Precautions and Warnings:
Children:
Sorrel can be dangerous in children when consumed in large quantities by mouth. Oxalic acid is found in Sorrel. There is a concern because after consuming rhubarb leaves, a four-year-old child dies due to oxalic acid.
Breastfeeding and pregnancy:
Sorrel is not safe when taken by mouth during pregnancy in large quantities. Besides, during pregnancy, taking Sorrel as part of a combination product (Sinupret) could increase the risk of congenital disabilities. There is insufficient credible knowledge on the efficacy of taking medicinal quantities of Sorrel while you are breastfeeding. Stay on the safe side to prevent any harm.
Kidney disease:
Large quantities of sorrel consumption could increase the risk of kidney stones. If you’ve ever had kidney stones, do not use Sorrel without seeking medical advice.
Where to buy Jamaican Sorrel drink?
Sorrel is not available in many countries and marts, but the sorrel drink can be readily available online through Amazon.
Jamaican Sorrel Ingredients
As many of us know hibiscus blossoms, Jamaican Sorrel can be found dried online and in Latin American or natural food stores, where it is also called (flor de jamaica).
For making a refreshing Jamaican drink, the blossoms are soaked into hot or chilled water for hours to make caffeine-free tea. The tea has a lovely vibrant red color and a tart, tangy taste, a little like cranberry or pomegranate.
The tea is sometimes mixed with redolent spices like ginger, cloves, cinnamon, simple syrup, and Jamaican rum, best for winter holidays to punch up the season’s tastes.
I love to make mine simple, just with the addition of ginger and orange skin without the alcohol. I usually steep mine overnight, but it’s not necessary.
How To Make Sorrel Drink?
This is the method for using dried sorrel
- Bring water to boil in a large pot. Add sorrel, ginger, orange peel, and allspice berries.
- Remove from heat and allow to steep for 2 hours or cool and place in the refrigerator overnight.
- Strain. Sweeten with your favorite sweetener. Refrigerate and enjoy!
How Long Can You Keep Sorrel?
Storage: The punch can be packed for up for a year in the refrigerator in an airtight jar. It tastes better as it ages.
Other Delicious Jamaican Recipes To Try:
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Sorrel Drink
Equipment
- 1 pot
Ingredients
- 8 cups water
- 2 cups dried sorrel buds
- 2 inches ginger grated
- 1 orange peel
- 8 allspice berries (pimento)
- 1 cup organic cane sugar or sweetener of choice to taste
Instructions
- Bring water to boil in a large pot. Add sorrel, ginger, orange peel, and allspice berries.
- Remove from the heat and allow the sorrel to steep for 2 hours or cool and place in the refrigerator overnight
- Strain the sorrel using a fine mesh strainer or a nut bag. Sweeten the sorrel drink with your favorite sweetener. Refrigerate and enjoy!
I think the negative effects you speak about are about the green plant “wood sorrel” not this roselle (which the island call sorrel). Not the same two plants.
Excellent observation, absolutely right. I grow both the perennial wood sorrel and the one in my photos. Yes I didn’t edit this one or else I would have made the corrections.
This is a must have Christmas Drinks.
Absolutely, my favorite this time of the year.
great recipe!
Love the recipe can do curry potatoes
Thank you Saundra, yes the curry potato recipe is amazing!
I did try making the sorrel drink recipe. However, my Jamaican and Trinidadian friends friends living in Bermuda suggested that in addition to your recipe I should add fresh spice leaves, lemon grass, sugar apple leaves , morengo (sp) leaves, etc. This gave it a robust kick and a medicinal touch. No alcohol. Served in small quantities. It was highly favored by my West Indian and Indian friends. I also made the Jamaican fruit cake recipe and it was loved by all who tasted it.
Thank you for your alternative vegan recipes which taste great so far!
Bermuda
Carolyn, thank you so much for your feedback. I love my Bermudian friends! I will definitely have to try adding the spice leaves to my sorrel, I’m so happy you loved the fruit cake also!
Nice blog and recipes, I’m really excited to try your other recipes, thanks for share!
Looking forward to making this! I was at my local grocer and saw the sorrel in a huge bin right when I walked in. I asked a lady who was filling a bag with them how they are used and she told me. Looked up inline recipes and chose this site to make my first sorrel beverage.
I will rate the recipe once I’ve made it.
There’s no Christmas in Jamaican and throughout the Caribbean, without sorrel.
Get yourself ready for a truly Jamaican Christmas! 🎄🎅 Enjoy a delicious traditional Caribbean drink.
I agree with you, I can’t wait to make sorrel.
A Jamaican friend just introduced this drink to me! Wonderful. Heading to the Asian market today to pick up the ingredients.
Awesome, hope you enjoy :)
Get yourself ready for a truly Jamaican Christmas! 🎄🎅
Way to Go!
A truly delicious drink, thank you for the recipe.
Thank you. I’m so happy you enjoyed it Kim.