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 Jamaican Sorrel Drink during the Christmas season. However, Sorrel is now readily available all year round in its dried form and can also be used to make the perfect healthy Summer drink.
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 highlight some of its health benefits as well as show you how to make this simple but 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
Although there has not been much research done to show the relationship between sorrel consumption and diseases, there is enough data online showcasing its nutrition content.
Sorrel’s Nutrition Benefits
Sorrel is rich in B-vitamins, Vitamin C, Zinc, and 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.
According to Loop Lifestyle, Sorrel is a good source of iron, that 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 as 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.
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.
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 forms 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.
How To Make Jamaican Sorrel Drink.
ENJOY THE FLAVOR OF JAMAICAN SORREL DRINK
How To Make Jamaican Sorrel Drink
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)
- 2½ 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Video
Sorrel Fruit Cake
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I tried this when I visited the Caribbean in 2014, it’s so refreshing.
Sorrel is definitely refreshing,Ruth.
It seems like sorrel can be used in many different ways; it sounds really lovely. I’m not sure if I’ve ever had any but it have been present in some things I’ve tried. I will have to see if I can find some to try it out!
Thank you for dropping by Molly.
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 👍
Thank you
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!
Great observation Michelle. The flowers and leaves of the of the sorrel plant do resemble those of the hibiscus. Thank you for taking the time to comment. Appreciate
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.
Jaz, hibiscus, lemongrass and mint sounds delicious fo real. Hope you get to try my sorrel recipe; it taste even better.
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
Allergies suck!I hope when are brave enough to try Jamaican sorrel drink, you won’t have any allergic reactions.
I learned about something new today. I had never heard of sorrel, but it sounds fantastic and a great idea for the holidays.
Thanks for visiting again Debbie. Happy you learned about sorrel.
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!
Thank you Jenna. Glad you learned something about Jamaican sorrel.
This food looks delicious!
Thank You.
I’ve never tried this but I love the sound of it from all the benefits. I’m going to have a go at making it in the new year.
Kelly, please enjoy when you do.
My grandmother always made it for everyone to enjoy. However, it’s time I make it myself every so often. Thank you!
Appreciate you dropping by Netert.
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
Happy you learned something about Jamaican sorrel. Appreciate you dropping by.
I love a festive drink and don’t think I’ve tried Sorrel. Great to read all the benefits too.
You are welcome Curious Dig.
I haven’t heard of this before or the health benefits so this post was really informative. Thank you for sharing.
Lauren – bournemouthgirl
You are welcome Lauren. Appreciate you dropping by.
I haven’t tried sorrel or at least I don’t think so! I’ll have to give it a try!
Enjoy When you do April.
Looks good! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you.
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.
Thank you for sharing another great how to post. This drink looks fantastic. I drink a lot of herbal tea and love to health benefits.
Thank you, roaring Pumpkin.
Thank you for sharing this. I never heard of it and the benefits sound amazing.
Thank you, Christina.
I haven’t heard of this drink before. It sounds super interesting. Thanks for sharing all about it
You are welcome Charity.
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.
Thank you Olivia.
What a unique and flavorful recipe!
Thank you, Vaishali.
Wow! I never hear of this…you learn a new thing everyday! Looks delicious! I love trying new things, going to check out Amazon to see if I could get my hands on dried ones.
Emily, I hope you get to make my Sorrel drink or at least try it. I promise you will love it.
Very interesting drink. Can’t be bad when mixed with good red wine. Thanks for sharing!
You are right, nothing wrong with a bit of red buzz. Hope you get to try sorrel drink someday, Pedja.
I first tasted sorrel last year in Belize. It’s my new favorite drink. I’m trying to get some seeds to grow sorrel here in Costa Rica.
I’m pinning this to make.
Thank you Carolyn. I wish I had a backyard to plant sorrel. You can purchase the sorrel seeds on Amazon. Here is the link: https://amzn.to/3QCNQwv
This looks and sounds amazing! Ive never heard of it but it sounds delicious and so good for you. Have to check it out on Amazon grocer. Thanks! You always have such good recipes!
Thank you, Morgan; appreciate you visiting.
The drink recipe sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing all you know about sorrel, I’ve never heard of it.
Kelly, I am glad you learned about Sorrel and the delicious drink you make from it.
You had me at sorrel, my favourite drink for my favourite season, especially when it has just the right amount of rum in it. Thanks for the recipe!
Thank you Kimberley. Sorrel drink is a vibe. Appreciate the star rating.
Interesting!
I only know the green sorrel and ate it from time to time when I was young. This looks completely different, and I wonder if the drink tastes anything like how I know sorrel to taste.
I always learn something new from your posts :)
Thank you!
Thank you Andy. I have seen the green or “white sorrel” as we call it Jamaica, but I have never had it before. I am sure the flavor is not that far off. Thanks for sharing sharing your thoughts.
I tried sorrel once in Bermuda, never seen it anywhere else in the world! Delicious with lots of spiced rum :)
You mostly find sorrel in states with communities that have a huge Caribbean demographic. But you can purchase sorel on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/4fcQl44
Not only I love your recipes, but I’m always learning something new too. Plus, I didn’t know Sorrel was so popular. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you Ginger, appreciate you dropping by.
Next time when I’m craving a refreshing, flavorful beverage, I will consider whipping up a batch of homemade Jamaican sorrel drink! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Anthuwin. Enjoy your sorrel drink when the cravings hit you.
Cinnamon sticks, ginger, Jamaican sorrel, and lemon? The health benefits here are intriguing! Thanx for sharing!
Thank you Amy. Hope you get to try it someday.
I love reading your recipes! They really make me want to visit Jamaica!
You need to add Jamaica to your bucket list. But you can have a drink of Jamaican sorrel right in the comfort of your home. Give it a try, you will love it.
I’ve has sorrel once at a Jamaican restaurant. It looked just like yours and had a unique taste. I would try it again.
Homemade sorrel is even better. Hope you get to try sorrel drink again someday. Thanks for dropping by Sandra.
Sorrel is my absolute favorite drink! In Trinidad, where I grew up it was also a special Christmas treat. I miss it terribly, my mom made the best sorrel! I’ll give your recipe a try. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Victoria. Enjoy when you do make my sorrel drink.
This Jamaican Sorrel drink sounds refreshing, and the health benefits make it even better!
You are right, Umer. Sorrel is not only tasty, but also nutritious.
Jamaican food!!!
I cannot wait to try this when I come to Jamaica!
You have educated me with regards to your delicious recipes and its culture!
Thank you, Lauren.
Nice! I will have to try this as well!
Thanks for visiting, Claudia. I hope you get to make my sorrel drink over the upcoming holidays.