Jamaican Sorrel Drink is a dark red tart spiced drink that is enjoyed mostly around the Christmas time and New Year season.

It is made with fresh or dried sorrel and spices, steeping overnight to release all the flavors.

Sorrel Drink is not just popular in Jamaica, but across the entire Caribbean.

This drink can be found in every home during the holiday season.

Oh Yes! There is no Christmas without a glass of Sorrel Drink and a slice of Jamaican Fruit Cake.

My Mother always stores enough sorrel buds in the freezer, so she can make more of the drink to last into the New Year until right around the end of January.

For this recipe, I used some sorrel that I had in my freezer that I got from back home when my nephew came to visit me.

Sorrel Drink during Christmas Time

During the Christmas Time, Sorrel drink is a must in every household. The holiday season is not complete without a glass of this tart drink.

So right around late November to early December, farmers start to bring a lot of sorrel to the market.

And when I say a lot, I mean in abundance… every stall has sorrel and also ginger for you to buy.

Speaking of ginger, it is not the only spice that some people add to their sorrel drink.

Some other spices that can be added to the sorrel are:

• Cloves
• Pimento Berries
• Cinnamon Sticks

One thing for sure that majority of Jamaicans adds to their sorrel drink is some white rum.

Hey, why not?

It’s a festive time of the year so white rum is popular in the kitchen during the Christmas time.

What is Sorrel Drink made of?

It is made from the calyces of the sorrel plant known as Flor de Jamaica, which is apart of the Hibiscus (Sabdariffa) Plant called Roselle.

This is steeped overnight or for a few hours to make the drink or some tea also.

Please note that not all hibiscus plants is safe to consume.

It is not the same as the hibiscus plant you have in your garden.

So only consume it, when it is labeled as Hibiscus Sabdariffa and safe for human consumption.

What are the health benefits of the Sorrel Drink

The Jamaican Sorrel Drink has many health benefits. Some of these includes:

• High source of Vitamin C
• Helps to reduce high blood pressure
• It can treat bacterial infections
• Reduces Cholesterol levels
• It helps to prevent Heart Disease

Where to buy Jamaican Sorrel Drink

It is not easy to get the fresh Jamaican Sorrel here in America.

Unless, you have a plant in your backyard.

I am still trying to get some seeds to plant in my garden.

However, the dried type can be found online through Amazon or Whole Foods Stores or a local West Indian Store.

How to store the Sorrel drink

To store your Homemade Jamaican Sorrel Drink, pour the strained drink into an airtight container.

Place it in the refrigerator for about 4 to 6 months.

The longer it is stored, the stronger it is because of the spices and white rum in it.

Back home, my mother usually used the empty white rum bottles to store her sorrel drink.

How to make Sorrel Drink Jamaican Style

Firstly, add the water, sorrel, orange peel, ginger, cloves and pimento berries into a large stainless pot on medium heat.

Secondly, let it come to a boil and turn off the heat.

Thirdly, remove from heat and let it steep overnight or for a few hours.

Fourthly, strain the sorrel drink in to a large pitcher. Add the brown sugar to your taste and add the white rum, if using.

Finally, let it chill in the refrigerator or pour it over ice in a glass.

Jamaican Sorrel Drink Recipe

Ingredients

• 8 to 10 cups Water
• 4 cups fresh Sorrel, washed or 2 cups dried Sorrel Buds
• 1 Tablespoon Cloves (optional)
• 5 Pimento Berries (optional)
• 2 inch Ginger, grated, crushed or thinly sliced
• 1 Orange peel (optional)
• Brown Sugar to taste
• 1/4 cup White Rum (optional)

Instructions

1. In a large stainless steel pot, add the washed fresh or dried sorrel, orange peel, grated ginger, cloves and pimento seeds on medium heat. Stir together.
2. Cover with a lid and let it come to a boil.
3. Remove it from the heat and leave it overnight covered, to steep for about 24 hours.
4. Strain the sorrel mixture with a fine mesh strainer the next day.
5. Add the brown sugar to your taste (I used about 2 cups of brown sugar) and mix well. Pour in the white rum (if you so desire) and continue mixing.
6. Place it in a refrigerator to chill until ready to serve or if you are in an hurry, pour over ice cubes in a glass.
7. Enjoy.

Notes:

1. You choose the spices you want to add into the pot with the Sorrel and ginger.
2. Allow the sorrel mixture after boiling, to steep overnight before straining it.
3. Add the amount of brown sugar to your taste.
4. Place in the refrigerator to chill, until you are ready to serve it.
5. Store the sorrel drink in an air tight container in the refrigerator.
6. Keep in mind, the longer it is stored, the stronger it becomes.

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Please let me know what you think about this Jamaican Sorrel drink in the comment section below.

Thanks for stopping by and please come back again.

Blessings and Love as always, as you carry on, on your YouNique Journey!