🌺 Jamaican Sorrel Drink

Hibiscus calyxes, fresh ginger, cloves, cinnamon & orange peel

30 min + overnight
Serves 1
Spiced & Tart
Short glass over ice
0% ABV
  • 100g dried sorrel (hibiscus calyxes)
  • 1 litre boiling water
  • 3cm fresh ginger, sliced and bruised
  • 6 whole cloves
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 tsp whole allspice berries
  • Peel of 1 orange
  • 4 tbsp brown sugar (or to taste)
  • Ice & orange slice to garnish

  1. 1
    SteepCombine sorrel, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, allspice, and orange peel in a large jug. Pour over boiling water. Cool to room temperature.
  2. 2
    InfuseCover and refrigerate overnight (or minimum 4 hours) for maximum depth.
  3. 3
    StrainStrain through a fine sieve, pressing to extract all liquid.
  4. 4
    SweetenAdd brown sugar and stir until dissolved. Taste and adjust.
  5. 5
    ServeServe over ice with an orange slice.

About This Drink

Sorrel drink is the Jamaican name for what Mexicans call Agua de Jamaica and West Africans call Bissap. But the Jamaican version is distinct — the ginger is generous, the cloves and allspice give a warm spice depth, and it is traditionally fermented slightly overnight to develop complexity. Christmas in Jamaica without sorrel is inconceivable.

The overnight infusion is what separates Jamaican sorrel from a quick hibiscus tea — the cold steep draws out more complex flavours. Brown sugar gives a darker, more molasses-like flavour than white. Traditional Jamaican versions add a splash of rum — the spiced sorrel makes an extraordinary rum mixer.

Source
Jamaica's Christmas drink; served at Miss Lily's (NYC) and Caribbean restaurants worldwide
Origin
Jamaica / Caribbean
Difficulty
Medium · 30 min + overnight