Caribbean Sorrel Drink Recipe ๐Ÿน [+VIDEO] | MasalaHerb.com (2024)

Published: ยท Modified: by Helene Dsouza

Caribbean Sorrel Drink Recipe ๐Ÿน [+VIDEO] | MasalaHerb.com (1)Helene Dsouza

Trini Caribbean Sorrel Drink - just the way it's served during Christmas time! You can prepare this amazing cooling beverage all year round too, especially if you live in a tropical climate. Use dried or fresh sorrel roselle hibiscus flower buds.

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Prep Time: 3 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 7 minutes minutes

5

4.9 from 9 votes

VIDEO RECIPE

Caribbean Sorrel Drink Recipe ๐Ÿน [+VIDEO] | MasalaHerb.com (2)

Caribbean Sorrel Drink is my Christmas drink obsession!

Made from scratch, I additionally spike it with rum, turning this amazing Trinidadsorrel drink into a holiday highlight.

Caribbean Sorrel Drink Recipe ๐Ÿน [+VIDEO] | MasalaHerb.com (3)

Caribbean Sorrel Drink Recipe ๐Ÿน [+VIDEO] | MasalaHerb.com (4)

Global Food Recipes

with Spices and Herbs

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Sunita, originally from Trinidad, introduced me to this wonderful beverage prepared with flower buds.

Her brother was so kind to send us some pictures from the flower fields growing right now in Trinidad and Tobago.

Jump to:
  • ๐Ÿ“• What is Sorrel drink?
  • ๐Ÿ”ช How to make it?
  • ๐Ÿ‹ Variation Ideas
  • ๐Ÿฑ Storing and Serving
  • ๐ŸŒธ What is Roselle?
  • ๐Ÿ’– Flower benefits
  • ๐Ÿ’ญ FAQs
  • ๐Ÿ‘๏ธ More flower recipes
  • ๐Ÿ“– Recipe
  • ๐Ÿ’ฌ Comments

๐Ÿ“• What is Sorrel drink?

Sorrel drink is a traditional Christmas beverage from the Caribbeans, prepared with the Rosellehibiscus flower variety and spices.

The ruby-red sorrel drink is popular during the holidays on the islands such as Trinidad and Tobago, as well as Jamaica (just to name a few). The dried flowers color the water red.

Sorrel drinks should not be confused with the green, sour sorrel leaves! Sorrel leaves have nothing in common with the sorrel beverage, except the name because it's another plant variety.

Caribbean Sorrel Drink Recipe ๐Ÿน [+VIDEO] | MasalaHerb.com (5)

๐Ÿ”ช How to make it?

Here is an overview of how to make this drink from scratch.

Step 1

Pour water and roselle into a pot with spices, cinnamon, clove, and star anise.

Caribbean Sorrel Drink Recipe ๐Ÿน [+VIDEO] | MasalaHerb.com (6)

Step 2

Steep the Roselle flowers and spices to infuse the water.

Take from the heat, strain, and allow it to cool completely.

Caribbean Sorrel Drink Recipe ๐Ÿน [+VIDEO] | MasalaHerb.com (7)

Step 3

Add ice cubes to the glass, sweeten and pour in cooled hibiscus tea.

Add white rum (optional) and mix it up.

Caribbean Sorrel Drink Recipe ๐Ÿน [+VIDEO] | MasalaHerb.com (8)

๐Ÿ‹ Variation Ideas

Here are some ingredients that you can add for flavor.

  • orange zest - use zest from untreated (no pesticides) oranges. Add it to the other ingredients during cooking process.
  • lemon or lime slices - untreated only. Can be added with the ice cubes during
  • pimento - aka allspice, can be used instead of cinnamon, star anise and cloves.

๐Ÿฑ Storing and Serving

You can serve your sorrel drink in a glass, in a pitcher or you can turn it into a part bowl.

Keep it cooled at all times.

The cooked dried flowers need to be strained and discarded right after the cooking process.

The infused spiced sorrel drink is good for at least 3 days if refrigerated.

๐ŸŒธ What is Roselle?

Roselle is the red bulboushibiscus variety.

People call Roselle sometimes sorelletoo and in some parts of America, it is better known as flor de Jamaica.

The flower of the roselle plant is used as an infusion in the American/Caribbean peninsula and in Africa.

In Asia, local regional tribes and people tend to use theroselle leaves instead of the buds.

Caribbean Sorrel Drink Recipe ๐Ÿน [+VIDEO] | MasalaHerb.com (9)
Caribbean Sorrel Drink Recipe ๐Ÿน [+VIDEO] | MasalaHerb.com (10)

Red Roselle flower buds can be used fresh or dried.

That way the flower buds are infused in boiling water or alcohol such as rum.

Roselle originated in Africa and people prepare a plain roselle infusion (minus the spices) all year round in the French-speaking African countries.

Caribbean Sorrel Drink Recipe ๐Ÿน [+VIDEO] | MasalaHerb.com (11)

๐Ÿ’– Flower benefits

Sorrel is quite a health bomb!

Turns out you do well to enjoy this healthier Christmas time beverage because the hibiscus flowers pack a punch in nutrients and health benefits.

These are some of the Rosella health benefits:

  • lowers blood sugar (heart health)
  • promotes liver health (hangover help)
  • may boost weight loss
  • rich in antioxidants (prevents the future formation of cancer cells)
  • cooles you down (thirst quencher in the heat)
  • may be good for pregnant ladies
Caribbean Sorrel Drink Recipe ๐Ÿน [+VIDEO] | MasalaHerb.com (12)

๐Ÿ’ญ FAQs

How to make my Sorrel drink without sugar?

Skip adding sugar altogether. I still recommend adding some sweetness to the drink to balance the tartness of the flowers.

Can I make this alcohol-free?

Yes, just skip adding the alcohol.

Can I turn this into an iced tea?

Yes, per Roselle hibiscus flowers cup, add about 2 teaspoon Black Tea to the cooking process and the spices as per recipe. Steep for 5 minutes and strain. Add some ice cubes to serve it cooled.

Can I drink this when pregnant and breastfeeding?

Please consult your doctor.

Where to buy sorrel?

You get it online on Amazon and Etsy. They also sell it in specialized Caribbean and African stores.

๐Ÿ‘๏ธ More flower recipes

  • Elderflower Cordial
  • Elderflower Gin co*cktail with lemon
  • Dandelion Jelly
  • Lavender Infused Water

Dear Reader, have you ever come across Sorell? If yes where?

Caribbean Sorrel Drink Recipe ๐Ÿน [+VIDEO] | MasalaHerb.com (13)

Caribbean Sorrel Drink Recipe ๐Ÿน [+VIDEO] | MasalaHerb.com (14)

Global Food Recipes

with Spices and Herbs

Free E-Book available for a limited time. Grab yours now and get instantly inspired!

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You missed out!

๐Ÿ“– Recipe

Caribbean Sorrel Drink Recipe ๐Ÿน [+VIDEO] | MasalaHerb.com (15)

Caribbean Sorrel Drink

Trini Caribbean Sorrel Drink - just the way it's served during Christmas time! You can prepare this amazing cooling beverage all year round too, especially if you live in a tropical climate. Use dried or fresh sorrel roselle hibiscus flower buds.

4.89 from 9 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Caribbean

Prep Time: 3 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 7 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 5

Calories: 8kcal

Recipe by: Helene Dsouza

Ingredients

  • 6.5 Cups Water
  • 1 Cup Dried Roselle Hibiscus Flower Buds see Notes
  • 1 Cinnamon stick
  • 8 Cloves Whole
  • 1 Star Anise optional
  • Sugar or Simple Syrup or Honey as per taste
  • Rum optional
  • Ice Cubes

US - Metric

Instructions

  • Pour the water into a pot and keep on the heat.

  • Add the roselle hibiscus flowers, as well as the cinnamon stick, cloves, and the star anise.

  • Mix and bring to a boil. Take from the heat and let it all steep covered for about 20 minutes.

  • Sweeten with sugar when it's still hot or add corn syrup to the glass later.

  • Pick out the spices, let the sorrel drink cool down.

  • Serve with rum (or not) and ice cubes cooled and mixed.

Notes

  1. Dried Roselle flowers tend to be more intense in taste. So when using fresh flowers you might want to adjust the amounts by adding some and taste testing it.
  2. You can add sugar during the cooking process or let cool and pour into glasses with liquid corn sugar.
  3. You may or may not add rum to your Sorrell. I use white Caribbean rum. You can prepare an alcohol-free version by just skipping the rum.
  4. Recipe adapted from the Naparima Cookbook

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Caribbean Sorrel Drink

Amount Per Serving

Calories 8

% Daily Value*

Sodium 17mg1%

Potassium 23mg1%

Carbohydrates 2g1%

Vitamin A 35IU1%

Vitamin C 1.4mg2%

Calcium 43mg4%

Iron 0.3mg2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Caribbean Sorrel Drink Recipe ๐Ÿน [+VIDEO] | MasalaHerb.com (2024)

FAQs

Caribbean Sorrel Drink Recipe ๐Ÿน [+VIDEO] | MasalaHerb.com? โ€บ

Consume 20-30 ml of the sorrel leaf solution twice a day or as suggested by the doctor.

How much sorrel is safe to drink daily? โ€บ

Consume 20-30 ml of the sorrel leaf solution twice a day or as suggested by the doctor.

What does sorrel drink do for the body? โ€บ

Sorrel is used for reducing sudden and ongoing pain and swelling (inflammation) of the nasal passages and respiratory tract, for treating bacterial infections along with conventional medicines, and for increasing urine flow (as a diuretic). Sorrel is also an ingredient in the herbal cancer treatment Essiac.

Is sorrel drink a laxative? โ€บ

The fresh or dried leaves are considered astringent, diuretic (increasing urination), laxative (softening the bowel), and cooling. Juice of the leaf has also been applied topically for the treatment of itchy skin and for treatment of ringworm.

What is sorrel drink made of? โ€บ

Sorrel drink is made of hibiscus flower calyces and various spices and fruits. The hibiscus flower is called flor de Jamaica in Spanish.

What are the disadvantages of drinking sorrel? โ€บ

Sorrel is possibly unsafe when consumed in large amounts. Large amounts might increase the risk of developing kidney stones, or damage the liver or stomach.

Can sorrel drink go bad? โ€บ

Make-Ahead and Storage. The strained sorrel can be kept refrigerated for up to 5 days.

Does sorrel raise blood pressure? โ€บ

Other animal studies have also found that sorrel extract could help dilate blood vessels to prevent high blood pressure ( 13 , 14 ).

Can diabetics drink sorrel? โ€บ

Sorrel is a great source of antioxidants, which are beneficial compounds that protect your cells from damage by neutralizing harmful free radicals. Antioxidants may help prevent many chronic conditions, including heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

Does sorrel help you lose weight? โ€บ

Drinking sorrel beverages could also help you lose weight when consumed as part of a healthy diet. There is an acid contained in sorrel that helps the body break down excess starches and sugars and so aid healthy digestion.

Is sorrel good for hair growth? โ€บ

Hibiscus (Sorrel) Sabdariffa: rich in alpha hydroxy acids, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that promote hair growth and restore damaged hair.

Does sorrel clean you out? โ€บ

Sorrel can be used as a detoxifying food as it is rich in vitamin C. Sorrel is an excellent diuretic and purgative since it contains flavonoids and other antioxidants. This aids in the elimination of toxic poisons from the body. Protocatechuic acid, found in sorrel leaves, assists in bodily detoxification.

Is sorrel good for arthritis? โ€บ

Anti โ€“ inflammatory

The anti-inflammatory properties found in sorrel helps to neutralise the free radicals in our bodies that cause inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, eczema, stomach, and even cancer.

What is a sorrel called in America? โ€บ

Other names for sorrel include spinach dock and narrow-leaved dock ('dock' being a common name for the genus Rumex). L. Acetosa agrestis Raf. Acetosa amplexicaulis Raf.

What does sorrel do to the body? โ€บ

Ingesting sorrel regularly helps to optimize the body's immune system and prevent illness due to its high Vitamin C content. Sorrel also has significant levels of iron which helps improve circulation throughout the body by boosting red blood cell production and oxygen levels in vital organs.

Does sorrel drink have caffeine? โ€บ

The blossoms are traditionally steeped in hot or cold water to make a refreshing herbal, and therefore caffeine-free, tea. The tea has a beautiful ruby color and tart, tangy flavor that's a little like cranberry or pomegranate.

Does sorrel clean your system? โ€บ

Sorrel can be used as a detoxifying food as it is rich in vitamin C. Sorrel is an excellent diuretic and purgative since it contains flavonoids and other antioxidants. This aids in the elimination of toxic poisons from the body. Protocatechuic acid, found in sorrel leaves, assists in bodily detoxification.

How much raw sorrel can you eat? โ€บ

Enjoy it raw in small doses as too much raw sorrel can make you a bit sick due to the oxalic acid. Try adding a handful of leaves to a nice spring lettuce salad, or toss it in with cabbage for a refreshing slaw.

Is sorrel better than spinach? โ€บ

It outshines similar greens in terms of nutrients. Compared to spinach, it's significantly higher in fiber, protein, potassium, vitamin A, calcium, iron, B6, vitamin C (by nearly nine times), and magnesium (by nearly six times).

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