Jamaican Sorrel Drink: Health Benefits of Sorrel?

Jamaican Sorrel Drink

Can you believe one of the world’s most powerful drinks is made from these beautiful red flowers? The vibrant ruby-red flowers of the sorrel plant are used to make a traditional Christmas Jamaican Sorrel Drinks. 

They are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and numerous other health benefits. Every sip will have your tastebuds dancing  the Jamaican “Dirt Bounce.”  

This blog will discuss some of its health benefits as well as how to make this simple and nutritious Jamaican Sorrel Drink.

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What Are The Health Benefits of Sorrel?

Not all sorrel are the same. Jamaican Sorrel should not be confused with Garden Sorrel or Sheep Sorrel, both of which are edible green leafy vegetables. 

Jamaican sorrel, on the other hand, is the first cousin of the hibiscus plant. Sorrel is known by a different name in many countries. Each red flower petal (otherwise called calyx) houses the seed capsule that is removed during the harvesting process. 

HOW LONG DOES SORREL TAKE TO GROW?

Sorrel (Hibiscus Sabdariffa L.), also called Roselle in many regions, takes 5 months to grow and mature from planting to harvest. Harvesting starts late October to November onwards. This is one of the reason why it is found in abundance during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.

SORREL HEALTH AND NUTRITION FACTS 

Despite the fact that there has not been much research done to show the relationship between sorrel consumption and diseases, there are enough data online   showcasing its nutrition content.

Sorrel’s Nutrition Benefits

Sorrel is rich in B-vitamins, Vitamin C, Zinc, Magnesium,  which all play a role in immunity and antioxidant activity that may help prevent certain medical conditions such as cardiovascular diseases and infections.

Health Benefits Of Sorrel

In addition to giving sorrel its brilliant red color, flavonoids also help our bodies fight disease-causing free radicals.

The high fiber content of sorrel may help with weight loss, blood sugar control, lowering cholesterol, and promoting regular bowel movements.

Sorrel is a great source of iron, which is an intriguing note that Loop Lifestyle also made in their article. Furthermore, enhanced blood iron aids in the increased delivery of oxygen to the body’s vital organs.

WHAT PRODUCTS ARE MADE FROM SORREL?

Roselle has been around for decades and is the favorite drink around Christmas in Jamaica. However, it has been used to make other products such jams, jellies, teas, wine, cakes, and other desserts.

Forbes Food and Drink column headlined that “Hibiscus or Sorrel Will Be The Biggest Flavor of 2022.” I hope you will include my Jamaican Sorrel drink in your beverage selection this Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

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DO YOU PREFER DRIED OR FRESH JAMAICAN SORREL?

Fresh Sorrel is difficult to come by in New York City. I was surprised to find these in a local grocery store, but I had already purchased the dried ones.

Jamaican Sorrel Drink

Sorrel is abundant in Jamaica during the Christmas season. Furthermore, Drinks made from fresh sorrel have a more appealing appearance and floral scent, in my opinion.

Jamaican Fresh Sorrel
Jamaican dried Sorrel

Dried sorrel on the other hand can be found in abundance in grocery stores including Amazon Fresh.

The blackish-purple color of the dried sorrel is less appealing but has a very strong concentrated floral scent that I love.  

Do not get me wrong, both the fresh and dried form make a delicious sorrel drink, but regular drinkers can tell tell the difference in both.  

In addition, the sorrel has a very tangy acidic taste similar to those of cranberry and pomogrante. 

Jamaican Sorrel Drink

Here are all the ingredients you will need.

Below are some amazon ingredient links for your shopping convenience.


If you do not own a  Gourmia Air Fryer, here are my links for your shopping convenience.

 

Your kitchen will need one of these kitchen cookwares and utensil. Click on each for more detailed information and your shopping convenience.

 

How To Make Jamaican Sorrel Drink.

Jamaican Sorrel Drink

ENJOY THE FLAVOR OF JAMAICAN SORREL DRINK

Jamaican Sorrel Drink

How To Make Jamaican Sorrel Drink

Kevin Foodie
Jamaican Sorrel Drink is both sweet, tangy and is suitable for any occasion. With just a few squirts of Jamaican rum and or wine, you'll have a delicious buzzy holiday drink. I hope you have fun making this sorrel for your friends and family.
It becomes richer, viscous and is more flavorful the longer the sorrel drink sits. Make this Jamaican Sorrel Drink today.
Store it in the refrigerator, and serve over ice at Christmas dinner, New Year's Eve party or any other special event.
4.91 from 10 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine Caribbean, Jamaican
Servings 12 People

Equipment

  • Stove
  • Deep Saucepan or Aluminum Pot
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Sieve or Strainer
  • Metal Spoon
  • Measuring Cups
  • Storage Containers

Ingredients
  

  • 10 oz (1 bag) Dried Sorrel or (4 cups Fresh Sorrel)
  • cups Light Brown Sugar
  • 2 cup Thinly Sliced Fresh Ginger
  • 3 whole Cinnamon Sticks
  • 1 large Lemon, sliced
  • 2 medium Limes, sliced
  • 6 quarts Filtered Water
  • 1-2 cups Rum and/or Red Wine

Instructions
 

  • Add the sliced ginger, cinnamon sticks, and lemon/lime slices to the 6 quarts of filtered water (or tap water) and bring to a boil over high heat.
    Mix the dried sorrel into the ginger and lemon mixture thoroughly. The dried sorrel will rehydrate and triple in size.
    Jamaican Sorrel Drink
  • There are different variations of a sorrel drink. The ingredients differ between the parishes of Jamaica and across the Caribbean diaspora. However, the main ingredients (sorrel, water, and sugar) are common in all recipes.
    Some recipes call for cloves, bay leaves, pimento seeds, and cinnamon sticks or leaves.
    I personally dislike the taste of cloves or pimento seeds in my sorrel drink. But you may add whatever spices you like.
  • Continue to boil the sorrel drink ingredients for 5 to 7 minutes more. Turn off the heat, cover the pot, and set it aside for about 10 minutes to steep and cool.
    Jamaican Sorrel Drink
  • Pour the drink through a sieve into a mixing bowl. With a metal spoon, stir in the sugar. Avoid using a wooden spoon because the blood-red drink may stain it.
  • This is an optional step. However, you may include 100% proof Jamaican Wray and Nephew Rum.
    The Jamaican Sorrel Drink is traditionally made with both Jamaican white rum and Red Label Wine. They serve as preservatives as well as flavoring agents.
    wray and nephew
  • If you cannot find Jamaican rum or wine in your neck of the woods, you may substitute your favorite rum or wine of choice. I sometimes use Bacardi Coconut Rum or Manischewitz red wine.
    However, if you are going to serve this sorrel drinks to young children and teenagers, set aside some of the sorrel drink for them in a bottle or container before adding the rum or wine.
    Bacardi Coconut rum Jamaican irish sea moss
  • Fill bottles or storage containers with drinks. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. You will notice that the sorrel drink thickens over time. This may be due to the pectin that is found in sorrel.
    Shake well. Serve chilled or over ice. Add a few more squirts of rum for a stronger buzz.
    Jamaican Sorrel Drink

Video

Keyword Jamaican Sorrel, Jamaican Sorrel Drink, Sorrel
Jamaican Sorrel Drink

Sorrel Fruit Cake

Sorrel has grown in popularity in many kitchens around the world over the years. Recipes incorporating this one-of-a-kind flower have been developed. In addition to the delicious Sorrel drink that we traditionally consume during the Christmas season, the Sorrel Fruit Cake has become one of my favorite sweet treats. Toya's video presentation demonstrating how she makes hers is worth a look.
Jamaican Fresh Sorrel
Kevin Foodie
Food & Travel Blogger

© Food Explora 2022 All Rights Reserved.

Guava Kiwi Coconut Bacardi Rum drink

Guava Kiwi Bacardi Coconut Rum Drink

You will also love my Guava Kiwi Rum Punch recipe. Click on the link above for the recipe.

 

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41 thoughts on “Jamaican Sorrel Drink: Health Benefits of Sorrel?”

  1. 5 stars
    This is really interesting facts and original recipe. Locally grown food or drinks of a place is part of a cultural history. Thanks for sharing. Great post 👍

  2. 5 stars
    I have never had sorrel, but it looks and sounds wonderful. It has the look of Sangria to me, which is something we have a lot at the holidays! I can definitely see where it comes from the hibiscus flower (that is the flower we are familiar with here). Thanks for pointing out that the dried version of sorrel is available on Amazon fresh….a recipe that we can all enjoy now!

  3. 5 stars
    I’ve never seen it called sorrel, thank you for the info! I drink hibiscus tea with lemongrass and mint daily, absolutely love it. I’ll try your drink recipe for sure.

  4. 5 stars
    It looks delicious! I’ve always shied away from Hibiscus, I’ve never tried it and with my severe allergies I struggle with branching out but this looks nothing short of delicious

  5. 5 stars
    This Jamaican sorrel drink sounds so tasty. I’ve never had it or heard of it, but I enjoyed learning all about it through your recipe. Thank you for sharing!

  6. I had never heard of Sorrel before, let alone that there are different drinks that use that name but come from different sources. I’ve learnt a lot of new things today. This drink sounds like it’d be great for vegetarians and vegans, given it’s iron content. Although, you may want to drink it without the alcohol if you’re going to use this drink as a natural source of iron

  7. I haven’t heard of this before or the health benefits so this post was really informative. Thank you for sharing.

    Lauren – bournemouthgirl

  8. 5 stars
    Interesting drink and it’s the first time I’ve heard of sorrel. Are there non-alcoholic recipes for this drink, since I stopped drinking alcohol a while back?
    It’s great to read that you managed to find the ingredients and were able to make one. It’s always interesting to read your recipes.

  9. This is what you meant by sorrel drink! This looks so yummy and festive. Thanks for taking the time to document where to find everything and how to make it.

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