Sorrel is a spiced-up floral drink that is super refreshing and the perfect drink for serving at parties. It’s a beautiful dark red color and has a captivating tang – some say the flavor is close to raspberries or cranberries. Whatever your tastebuds call this unique flavor, you’ll definitely go back for a refill or two. 😋
Sorrel is mainly enjoyed during the holidays, but honestly, I indulge all year round. That said, there’s no denying that I love seeing it sitting alongside a pitcher of eggnog in a festive punchbowl. Additionally, sans the rum, it’s the perfect non-alcoholic option for any partygoers who don’t drink.
What is Sorrel Drink?
Sorrel drink is a wine-hued drink made from sorrel or hibiscus calyces.
What is a calyx?
It’s the fleshy part of the flower that wraps the seeds. After the petals fall off and the seed pods develop, you’ll see a lovely tart drink ingredient.
This drink is popular in West Africa. It’s also called Zobo drink in Nigeria. The sorrel plant is also prolific throughout the Caribbean, where it’s simply called jamaica. That’s why you may hear people call it “Jamaican sorrel drink.”
Its refreshing nature is thanks to combining sorrel calyces with other tropical spices and fruits. So good! A splash of rum gives you an awesome Jamaican rum punch. Oh yeah!
Jamaican Sorrel Drink Ingredients
- Water – You need this ingredient to dissolve the sugar. That’s it.
- Sugar – The key ingredient for your simple syrup adds sweetness, of course. It also balances your sorrel drink’s tartness.
- Dried Red Sorrel Calyces – The main ingredient for our drink. It comes from the flor de Jamaica or hibiscus flower and has an herbal, floral taste.
- Ginger – With pungent spiciness and a hint of sweetness, ginger also adds a whole layer of flavor to sweet drinks and dishes.
- Lime – The citrusy taste of lime adds a pleasant zing to this sorrel drink.
- Peppercorns – Spicy black pepper doesn’t give off much heat, but it does add a fresh layer of flavor.
- Cinnamon Stick – A sweet, aromatic taste adds excitement and flavor to this drink.
- Hot Water – I suggest using warm to hot water for this recipe. Your goal is to extract as much deliciousness from all the other ingredients as possible. Too hot, though, and some of the ingredients might react negatively.
- Orange – Its mild and sweet fruity flavor adds a terrific tropical flair.
- Rum – You can use as much or as little as you like to give your sorrel drink just the right amount of kick and turn it into a delicious Jamaican rum punch. Or you can omit it for a refreshing kid-friendly drink.
Alternative Ingredients
- Lime – The unique lime flavor pairs really well with this drink, but lemon will still give your drink a citrusy tang.
- Rum – A whiskey, brandy, or gin shot goes well with this recipe. Or do if you wanna make a non-alcoholic version of this drink, just leave the rum out altogether.
- Sugar – You can substitute the sugar with honey or another natural sweetener of your choice.
Tips and Tricks
Sorrel calyces are becoming increasingly available at major shopping market chains, so they’re pretty easy to find.
If your local grocer doesn’t carry them, try an international market. African, Caribbean, Hispanic, and Asian markets usually sell fresh or dried sorrel calyces.
They’re also labeled as sorrel, hibiscus, or flor de Jamaica. Keep in mind that dried sorrel works just as well as fresh! 🌺
Use this recipe as a guide and customize it however you like. You can add more or less flavoring, add ingredients, leave some out, or use as much water as you see fit – there’s no cut and dry way to make a sorrel drink, really. You can personalize it however you want.😉
Make-Ahead Instructions
You can definitely make this drink a day or two ahead. Just keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve – it’s that simple!
Serving and Storage
Serve sorrel drink over ice and make it extra pretty with some tropical garnishes. I like to adorn the glass rims with a slice of orange or lime, and sometimes I also add a cinnamon stick to each glass. 🤩
FAQs
Sorrel drink is made of hibiscus flower calyces and various spices and fruits. The hibiscus flower is called flor de Jamaica in Spanish.
Yes! Sorrel is a Caribbean name for hibiscus flowers. Another green herb called sorrel has a strong lemony taste, too, though. So make sure you buy red flower calyces (fresh or dried) when making the sorrel drink, not a green herb. 😉
Sorrel drink is actually very nutritious with loads of vitamins A and C, magnesium, calcium, and potassium. But honestly, it’s the taste that will keep you coming back for more. 😜
What Goes with Sorrel Drink
Sorrel drinks sit so pretty beside homemade eggnog and rum punch at parties and social events. Its refreshing nature also makes a good contrast with hearty dishes, such as stuffed pork loin roast or roast turkey breast.
More Delicious Drink Recipes
How to Make Sorrel Drink
Make a Simple Syrup
- Bring Simple Syrup Ingredients to Boil – Bring 2 cups of water with 1 cup of sugar to a boil in a medium bowl or pot. (Photo 2)
- Simmer ingredients until the sugar has completely dissolved.
- Cool – Then set aside and allow the syrup to cool.
Prepare the Ingredients
- Mix Flavorings – Place the sorrel, ginger, lime, peppercorns, and cinnamon stick in a large bowl. (Photo 3)
- Add Hot Water – Gently pour boiled water into the bowl of sorrel. (Photo 4)
- Steep – Let it steep for about 45 minutes or longer. You can also steep it overnight in the fridge for a more potent flavor. (Photo 5)
Serve
- Strain the ingredients with a fine sieve and discard all solids. Pour the drink into a pitcher for serving. (Photos 6-8)
- Final Touches – According to your preference, add as much simple syrup as desired, together with rum and orange slices.
- Serve over ice.
Watch How to Make It
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This blog post was first published in August 2015 and has been updated with an additional write-up, photos, and a video.
Sorrel Juice
Ingredients
Simple syrup (sub with honey or sweetener)
- 2 cups (480 mL) water
- 1 cup (200 g) sugar
Sorrel Drink
- ¼ cup ginger, chopped
- 2 cups dried red sorrel calyces
- 8-10 peppercorns, cracked
- 1 lime, chopped
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 10 cups (2.4 L) hot water, or more to taste
- 1 orange, sliced (optional)
- Rum, to taste (optional)
Instructions
Simple Sugar
- Bring 2 cups of water with 1 cup of sugar to a boil in a medium bowl or pot.
- Simmer ingredients until the sugar has completely dissolved.
- Then set aside and allow the syrup to cool.
Sorrel Drink
- Place the sorrel, ginger, lime, peppercorns, and cinnamon stick in a large bowl.
- Gently pour boiled water into the bowl of sorrel.
- Let it steep for about 45 minutes or longer. You can also steep it overnight in the fridge for a more potent flavor.
- Strain the ingredients with a fine sieve and discard all solids. Pour the drink into a pitcher for serving.
- Add as much simple syrup as desired with rum and orange slices.
- Serve over ice.
Tips & Notes:
- Sorrel calyces are becoming increasingly available at major shopping market chains, so they’re pretty easy to find. If your local grocer doesn’t carry them, try an international market. African, Caribbean, Hispanic, and Asian markets usually sell fresh or dried sorrel calyces. They’re also labeled as sorrel, hibiscus, or flor de Jamaica. Keep in mind that dried sorrel works just as well as fresh!
- Use this recipe as a guide and customize it however you like. You can add more or less flavoring, add ingredients, leave some out, or use as much water as you see fit – there’s no cut and dry way to make a sorrel drink, really. You can personalize it however you want.
- Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.
Lester White says
I just started growing “Sorrel” this year. Hibiscus sabdariffa ‘Roselle’ (or Roselle) is what to look for if you want to grow it. I am sold-out for the year, except seeds. I will grow much more next year.
Feel free to contact me. Lester_white@yahoo.com
Tanyah says
I make Sorrel a drink that is in my refrigerator all year around. Never included lime but I will try it . Rich in vitamin C the potence in sorrel is very deficical.the older it gets the better it taste.
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Tanya! Thanks for sharing!!
Sherri says
What are cracked pimentos?
ImmaculateBites says
Cracked pimentos are resemble peppercorns but taste like a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. They are indigenous to Jamaica
Lisa says
Allspice berries
Toni says
Hello Imma,
My 83 year old uncle recently turned me onto Sorrel juice. He soaks the sorrel pedals in water over night, drains, and just adds sweetener. I love the color & the taste. It is so refreshing. Since then, I’ve seen many recipes on-line calling to boil the sorrel pedals. Does boiling make that much of a difference? Does it make the juice more potent?
ImmaculateBites says
It really doesn’t if you soak it over night. Thanks for the time to share your thoughts with us.
April says
Thank you so much for this recipe. My regular Jamaican spot only sells sorrel drink at Christmas, and last year, they didn’t even do it! But just today, my butcher must have come into a shipment of bags of sorrel blossoms because he was having a crazy sale, and now, I can make my own! Best case!
ImmaculateBites says
Nothing beats homemade. AND you can spice it up however you like. Cheers!!!!
Christie says
I absolutely LOVE Sorrel. I had it when in Jamaica, but failed to ask what it was, as a result I didn’t think I would ever drink it again. Low and behold a few years later a friend had a BBQ gathering at her home & served Sorrel. We now have it a few times a year. The only place we have ever found the hibiscus flower is at Mexican Markets.
ImmaculateBites says
Isn’t it such a refreshing drink? Absolutely! Readily available at most Hispanic markets. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with Christie. Happy Sunday
Jessica says
It’s found in any west Indian Spanish or African markets duh
Donna says
Hi guys,
I am a bit worried!
As much as I love sorrel, lately I’ve had doubts about the drink.
Reason is because, when a little bit of (ready made) sorrel is added to a bit of water, it turns darkish, like it contains dye. This never happened in the past, cause I grew up drinking sorrel in Dominica.
Maybe am just paranoid, because lately Chinese are injecting foods, and adding dangerous stuff to some of the foods we eat, which is a big cause for concern.
My question is: Do you all think they may be adding dye to the sorrel as well?
With fake eggs, plastic rice, white gluey substance is shrimps, injecting fish, fake beef, fake lettuce, fake milo etc, can anyone blame me for asking?
Please help!
Heather says
Don’t be afraid Donna. Buy it at an Hispanic market. There it is called Jamaica. So, so delicious. My aunt suggested it to me for a friend’s hypertension and allergies. Sorrel tea was so good, we drink it now just for the taste. We can’t get enough.
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Heather! Thanks for taking the time to share this with us .
Jessica says
I haven’t heard of this however your on point with your post I will definitely investigate I’m west Indian this recipe is on point
Naja says
My family is from Tobago.. ..of Trinidad and Tobago. I drink it my whole life dad made it all the time. I thought everyone drunk it when I was little. But I thank my dad for all the healthy drinks and food he has bestowed upon me. I thought it was a Tobago thing, didn’t know Jamaicans drink it also.
Cynthia says
If you are ever able to get the fresh sorrel, to make this drink, you will fall even more in love with it.
Elizabeth says
I love the colour! I drink a lot of hibiscus tea, but never knew it was sorrel. When I saw this post I was actually wondering what exactly sorrel was. Hibiscus teas was very popular when we were traveling through Turkey.
Kristi @ My SF Kitchen says
This is great! I love when Christmas comes early 🙂
Maggie says
I never tried Sorrel petals but I think I had something similar. I like the refreshing flavor in this drink and of course its color! Will check it out next time at WHoleFoods 🙂
LydiaF says
This is my favorite summer drink. I buy the bags in the Latin section of the grocery store. I haven’t found it in bags here in Spain, but the dried flowers are available. I’m going to try it with your suggested seasonings 🙂
Becky T says
What are the “cracked pimentos”?
Is that whole black peppers corns?
N. Powell says
Pimentos are often found in most stores under the name “allspice ” . They are one and the same.
Katalina @ Peas & Peonies says
yummy, one of this would make my Friday evening perfect!
Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom says
I’m so glad you decided to share this now, instead of waiting for the holidays! I’ve never had sorrel juice, but it looks and sounds wonderful! I just love that gem-like color!
ImmaculateBites says
So glad you agree with me Kathleen!
Nagi@RecipeTinEats says
Woah! check out the colour of that drink! I love it. Sharing! 🙂
ImmaculateBites says
Yay!Thank you girl!
Kathleen says
Can you buy it already made?