Bissap (Senegalese Hibiscus Drink)
In short: A ruby-red, tart drink brewed from dried hibiscus flowers and sweetened with sugar, fresh mint and a touch of vanilla, served ice cold. It takes about 20 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Resting
- 2 h 30 min
- Total
- 20 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 80 kcal
Bissap is the ruby-red drink made from dried hibiscus flowers, sold in bottles and small bags on Senegalese street corners and poured at family gatherings. The flowers steep in hot water, and the tart liquid is sweetened and flavored with mint, vanilla or orange blossom water. It is served ice cold and is especially popular in hot weather and during Ramadan. Make a large batch, since it disappears quickly.
Instructions
- Rinse the hibiscus flowers briefly in a sieve under cold water to remove any dust.
- Bring the 1.5 L of water to a boil in a large pot. Turn off the heat, add the hibiscus and the mint, cover and steep for 20 minutes.
- Strain the liquid into a large jug, pressing the flowers with a spoon to extract all the color. Discard the flowers and mint.
- While the liquid is still warm, stir in the sugar until dissolved, then add the vanilla and the orange blossom water, if using.
- Add the cold water, taste, and adjust with more sugar or water. Chill for at least 2 hours.
- Serve over ice with a sprig of fresh mint.
Tips
- Steep, do not boil the flowers for long. Extended boiling makes the drink bitter.
- Add a few slices of fresh ginger or a splash of pineapple juice to the steeping pot for a variation popular in Senegal.
Questions and answers
Where can I buy dried hibiscus flowers?
Look for them in African, Mexican and Middle Eastern shops, where they are sold as bissap, flor de jamaica or karkadé. Many supermarkets also stock them with loose-leaf teas.
How long does bissap keep?
Up to 5 days in a covered bottle in the fridge. You can also freeze it in ice cube trays for drinks that stay cold without watering down.
Is bissap the same as hibiscus tea?
It is the same plant, but bissap is usually sweeter and served cold, with mint, vanilla or orange blossom. Plain hibiscus tea is often drunk hot and unsweetened.
How long does it take to make Bissap (Senegalese Hibiscus Drink)?
About 20 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Bissap (Senegalese Hibiscus Drink)?
About 80 kcal per serving, with 0 g of protein, 20 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 80 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 20 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 19 g |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
