Caribbean Sorrel Drink Recipe
I absolutely love this hibiscus sorrel drink because it’s a vibrant explosion of flavors with its mix of hibiscus, ginger, and spices, reminding me of warm days and fun gatherings. Plus, the optional splash of rum turns it into the perfect refreshing cocktail that makes every moment feel like a celebration.
My recipe for Caribbean Sorrel Drink, a vibrant and refreshing beverage full of natural goodness, uses dried hibiscus flowers. I combine 4 cups of the dried flowers with 10 cups of water and infuse it with a cinnamon stick, several cloves, and fresh ginger.
For sweetness, I use good ol’ white sugar (though a healthier alternative might be to use brown sugar or molasses). For flavor balance, I add vanilla and lime juice.
Ingredients
Sorrel Petals:
Antioxidants are abundant in the petals of sorrel, which give them a flavor that is tart and fruity.
Ginger:
Provides a zesty warmth and assists in digestion while offering anti-inflammatory benefits.
Cloves:
Inject a sweet, earthy fragrance note that boosts the aromatic profile.
Cinnamon Stick:
introduces a sweet and warm flavor with a bit of spice.
Vanilla Extract:
Imparts a smooth, aromatic sweetness that balances otherwise bold, dominating flavors.
Lime Juice:
Brings to the party a stimulating, invigorating sharpness that harmonizes beautifully with sweet flavors.
Rum:
(Optional) Makes the drink more satisfying by adding a wonderful, warming potency that makes it perfect for the holidays.
Ingredient Quantities
- 4 cups dried hibiscus flowers (sorrel petals)
- 10 cups water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4-5 cloves
- 2-3 slices of fresh ginger
- 1-2 cups sugar (to taste)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- Optional: 1-2 cups rum (to taste)
- Optional: 1-2 star anise
- Optional: Orange peel for garnish
Instructions
1. Wash the dried hibiscus blossoms in cold water to wash off any dust or impurities, and set them aside.
2. In a sizable saucepan, mix the 10 cups of water with hibiscus flowers, a cinnamon stick, several cloves, ginger slices, and an optional star anise.
3. Boil the mixture over high heat; reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 30 minutes.
এরপর এর মিশ্রণ ঘটে ওস্তাদ শিঙারা ভারতে।
4. Remove the pot from the heat after simmering, and let the mixture cool to room temperature. You should allow it roughly an hour to do so.
5. After the mixture has cooled, pour it through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a large bowl or pitcher to separate the solids from the liquid. This step is crucial for getting the most out of the hibiscus, flowers, and spices. You want to squeeze the stuff as dry as possible before moving on to the next step.
6. Add the sugar, beginning with 1 cup, and stir the mixture well until it is completely dissolved. Taste and adjust the sweetness by adding more sugar if necessary.
7. Add the vanilla extract and fresh lime juice, ensuring that all the flavors are combined perfectly.
8. Stir well if you choose to add rum to the mixture and make it to your taste.
9. Put the sorrel drink in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to chill it thoroughly and render it the wonderful, refreshing, and cold drink it is meant to be.
10. Pour over ice and garnish with optional orange peel or an additional star anise, if desired. Enjoy!
Equipment Needed
1. Large bowl
2. Colander or strainer
3. Sizable saucepan
4. Measuring cups
5. Measuring spoons
6. Spoon for stirring
7. Fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth
8. Large bowl or pitcher for straining
9. Knife (for slicing ginger)
10. Cutting board
11. Refrigerator
12. Ice cube tray (for serving over ice)
13. Glasses (for serving)
FAQ
- Q: Can I use fresh sorrel instead of dried hibiscus flowers?A: Fresh sorrel can indeed be utilized, but substitutions are usually needed because dried hibiscus flowers are more potent.
- Q: How long should I steep the sorrel mixture?To achieve the best flavor, let the mixture steep for a minimum of 24 hours in the refrigerator.
- Q: Can I substitute honey for sugar?A: Certainly, honey can serve as a natural sweetener; you just need to adjust the quantity to your taste. It will, however, impart a different flavor, one that may or may not be compatible with your other ingredients.
- Q: Is the rum necessary in the recipe?The drink is traditionally non-alcoholic, but rum can be added for a festive twist. No, the rum is not necessary.
- Q: How should I store the sorrel drink?Keep the sorrel beverage in an airtight container in the fridge, and it should last you a week.
- Q: Can I serve the sorrel drink warm?
A: While traditionally served chilled, sorrel drink can be gently warmed and served as a cozy winter beverage. - Q: What type of rum is best for this drink?A dark or spiced rum works well with the spices and hibiscus and is what I prefer. But if you don’t have it, just use a light rum, and if you don’t have light rum, use gin. If you don’t have gin, then just drink something else.
Substitutions and Variations
Dried hibiscus flowers can be replaced with dried roselle or cranberry flowers in the following manner: use 4 cups of the alternative flower when a recipe calls for 4 cups of dried hibiscus flowers.
1-2 cinnamon sticks can replace the original cinnamon stick to get a bolder flavor.
Instead of cloves, a pinch of allspice can be used.
You can substitute fresh sliced ginger for ground ginger, using 1-2 teaspoons of it in place of ginger that has been freshly sliced.
You can use agave syrup or honey to replace sugar, adjusting them to your taste.
Vanilla extract can be replaced with almond extract for a nutty taste. One teaspoon of almond extract takes the place of one teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Pro Tips
1. Spice Infusion Timing: For a stronger spice flavor, you can let the cinnamon stick, cloves, and ginger steep in the hot water with the hibiscus flowers for an additional 10-15 minutes after turning off the heat before straining.
2. Adjusting Sweetness: Start with less sugar and gradually add more until it reaches your preferred level of sweetness. Remember, the flavors will slightly mellow once chilled, so make it a bit sweeter than you think if that’s your preference.
3. Enhance the Citrus Flavor: Add some freshly grated lime zest along with the lime juice to intensify the citrus notes in the drink.
4. Cooling Faster: If you’re short on time, you can place the strained hibiscus mixture in an ice bath to speed up the cooling process before adding sugar and other ingredients.
5. Alcohol Variation: If using rum, try infusing it with additional spices or citrus peels overnight before adding it to the drink to deepen the flavor profile.
Caribbean Sorrel Drink Recipe
My favorite Caribbean Sorrel Drink Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Large bowl
2. Colander or strainer
3. Sizable saucepan
4. Measuring cups
5. Measuring spoons
6. Spoon for stirring
7. Fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth
8. Large bowl or pitcher for straining
9. Knife (for slicing ginger)
10. Cutting board
11. Refrigerator
12. Ice cube tray (for serving over ice)
13. Glasses (for serving)
Ingredients:
- 4 cups dried hibiscus flowers (sorrel petals)
- 10 cups water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4-5 cloves
- 2-3 slices of fresh ginger
- 1-2 cups sugar (to taste)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- Optional: 1-2 cups rum (to taste)
- Optional: 1-2 star anise
- Optional: Orange peel for garnish
Instructions:
1. Wash the dried hibiscus blossoms in cold water to wash off any dust or impurities, and set them aside.
2. In a sizable saucepan, mix the 10 cups of water with hibiscus flowers, a cinnamon stick, several cloves, ginger slices, and an optional star anise.
3. Boil the mixture over high heat; reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 30 minutes.
এরপর এর মিশ্রণ ঘটে ওস্তাদ শিঙারা ভারতে।
4. Remove the pot from the heat after simmering, and let the mixture cool to room temperature. You should allow it roughly an hour to do so.
5. After the mixture has cooled, pour it through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a large bowl or pitcher to separate the solids from the liquid. This step is crucial for getting the most out of the hibiscus, flowers, and spices. You want to squeeze the stuff as dry as possible before moving on to the next step.
6. Add the sugar, beginning with 1 cup, and stir the mixture well until it is completely dissolved. Taste and adjust the sweetness by adding more sugar if necessary.
7. Add the vanilla extract and fresh lime juice, ensuring that all the flavors are combined perfectly.
8. Stir well if you choose to add rum to the mixture and make it to your taste.
9. Put the sorrel drink in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to chill it thoroughly and render it the wonderful, refreshing, and cold drink it is meant to be.
10. Pour over ice and garnish with optional orange peel or an additional star anise, if desired. Enjoy!