Sorrel Drink- also sorrel juice is a spiced drink that’s usually served around the holidays in Jamaica, Trinidad and in other Caribbean countries. In Nigeria it’s enjoyed all year round. If you ask me for a list of my favorite summer drink recipes, This keto friendly sugar free Sorrel juice would definitely top the list. Read along and find out exactly how to make this refreshing Jamaica Juice! Jamaican Juice!
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What is Sorrel drink?
Zobo Drink, Rosselle Drink or Sobolo are the various names this all weather favorite is called. Sorrel drink/jiuce as the name implies means a beverage made from sorrel flowers (not leaves) also known as hibiscus flowers.
It is made by boiling the flowers in hot water with addition of spices, fruits and herbs. The combinations of fruits and spices vary slightly by countries.
For instance the Jamaican sorrel drink includes cloves, ginger, orange peels and juice while the Nigerian Zobo Drink recipe calls for pineapple skin and juice instead of orange.
Hibiscus flower had some great health benefits which I talk about in my hibiscus syrup recipe.
Jamaican Sorrel Drink Recipe
This recipe isn’t exclusive to Jamaicans, it’s actually served other Caribbean countries like Trinidad and of course in West african countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and The Gambia.
Nigerians call it Zobo, Ghanaian’s call it Sobolo, Senegalese call it Bissap juice while Jamaicans call it Sorrel juice. All these are semantics as this juice is made with the same flower the hibiscus flower also called Sorrel or Roselle flower.
Ingredients needed to make the best Sorrel recipe
- Sorrel flower
- Water
- Orange extract
- Sweetener of choice
- Cloves
- Ginger
- Cinnamon
How to make Sorrel Drink (juice) the Jamaican way!
- Wash the dry petals with cool water to remove dust and dirt.
- Bring water to boil, add the leaves, let it simmer for 10 mins and turn off heat, add, spices, and extract then set aside.
- Make the sugar free simple syrup. and mix in
*Please see recipe card for full recipe and instructions
How to make Sorrel juice in the Instant Pot
Besides making sorrel juice on the stove top, you can also make it in the instant pot. Follow the steps below to make it in your instant pot.
- Add water and rinsed hibiscus flowers into the inner pot of your 6 or 8 quart instant pot, cover and set valve to sealing position.
- Select manual pressure cook , set timer for 10 mins. When cycle is complete, let it release pressure naturally for 5 mins then do a quick release.
- Add the spices, extract. Let it cool then sieve with a fine mesh sieve.
- After sieving add sugar syrup and stir to combine.
- Pour into a pitcher and chill in the refrigerator
Make ahead and how to store
This drink can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. You can either make the full juice and store or make the Hibiscus syrup and use with water or lemonade.
How to serve it
This drink, Chapman and Thanksgiving punch are our favorite holiday drinks and can be served along side any main dish of your choice. Think Chicken kebabs, grilled chicken, grilled cheese sandwich, french toast, Pancakes etc.
You can also take it as a stand alone beverage, For an alcoholic beverage, add some rum to taste.
Quick Recipe notes and tips
- It’s best to wash the flowers with a big bowl of cold water. Gently swishing it for a few seconds then transfer into a sieve immediately. Washing and squeezing for too long may make it lose a lot of it’s color and possibly some of its nutritional value.
- Either boil the petals for a short time or pour boiling water over the flowers and let it steep. Though i prefer the boiling method, both methods work just fine.
- Alternatively, You can also decide to make this into hibiscus syrup and add to your water or lemonade (to make hibiscus lemonade) whenever you want to.
- You can use fresh ginger, fresh cloves, cinnamon sticks if you prefer. It will give a stronger spice taste. I have tried both ways and I love it either way.
Frequently Asked Questions
It has a nice floral, sweet and tangy taste.
Lemon, Orange, lime, cinnamon, pineapple flavors pair well with hibiscus flowers.
You can do a lot with hibiscus flowers, it can be used in drinks like i did with this recipe. it can also be used in desserts like cakes and ice creams.
Yes you can, please see instructions in the body of the post above.
Other Sugar free Drinks and juices!
- Chapman drink: This is a classic Nigerian mock tail made deliciously sugar free! You need to try it out.
- Zobo drink: The Nigerian version of this Jamaican Sorrel juice.
- Healthy Keto Lemonade: Lemonade hasn’t tasted healthier. This sugar free drink is perfect for the weather.
- Healthy Cucumber juice: Something green, delicious and healthy!
- Cucumber lemonade: The best if two worlds.
- Strawberry lemonade: Strawberries and lemon are the best of friends.
- If you are not keto, this sugar free watermelon juice is worth a try, Go for it!
Did you enjoy this recipe? Leave me a comment and please share the link to this recipe with family and friends and in your favorite Facebook group so others can enjoy it too.
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Sorrel Drink ( Sugar free Sorrel juice)
Equipment
- Stainless steel pot
- Fine mesh sieve
- Juice pitcher
Ingredients
- 10 cups water (divided, set aside 1 cup for simple syrup)
- 2 cups Dry Sorrel petals (washed, see note 1 on how to wash the petals)
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon orange extract
Sugar free simple syrup
- ¾ - 1 cup Monkfruit Erythritol blend (see notes 2 for sweetener options)
Instructions
- Bring 9 cups of water to boil, reduce to a simmer, Then add washed sorrel petals into water and let it simmer on low heat for 10 mins.
- Turn off heat, stir in the spices and orange extract and let it cool
Make the Sugar free Simple syrup while soreel is simmering
- Add reserved 1 cup of water to a pot, add the sweetener and bring to boil, stir till sweetener is completely dissolved.
Mixing it all up!
- Sieve the sorrel drink, add the simple syrup to the drink and stir to combine.
- Pour into a pitcher and chill in the refrigerator
Notes
- I like to wash in a big bowl of cool water. swish the petals around gently instead of washing vigorously.
- If using erythritol, use 1 cup or 1 ⅓ cup. if using Monkfruit-Alullose blend, use the same measurements listed above.
- For instant ot option, see blog post above.
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