Sobolo (Ghanaian Hibiscus Drink)
In short: A deep red, tart hibiscus drink steeped with ginger, cloves and pineapple, served ice cold and sweetened to taste, a Ghanaian party staple. It takes about 25 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Resting
- 2 h 30 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 65 kcal
Sobolo is the ruby-red hibiscus drink that Ghanaians sell by the bottle at roadsides, schools and parties. Dried hibiscus flowers are simmered with ginger, cloves and pineapple, steeped until the water turns deep crimson, then strained, sweetened and chilled. The flavor is tart like cranberry, with a warm spice note. It is served very cold, sometimes with a few mint leaves or a splash of pineapple juice.
Instructions
- Rinse the hibiscus flowers in cold water to remove any dust, then drain.
- Bring the water to a boil in a large pot. Add the hibiscus, ginger, cloves and pineapple and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Take the pot off the heat, cover it and steep for 30 minutes, until the liquid is deep crimson.
- Strain through a fine sieve, pressing on the solids. Stir in the sugar while the drink is still warm until dissolved, then taste and add more if you like.
- Let it cool, add the mint, and chill for at least 2 hours. Serve over ice.
Tips
- Steep for up to 1 hour for a deeper color, but taste as you go. A longer steep makes the drink tarter.
- Dilute very tart sobolo with pineapple juice or sparkling water, and add extra ginger if you like it sharper.
Questions and answers
Is sobolo the same as bissap or hibiscus tea?
They all come from the same plant, the roselle hibiscus. Sobolo is the Ghanaian version, usually spiced with ginger and cloves and often flavored with pineapple.
How long does sobolo keep?
Up to 5 days in a clean bottle in the fridge. You can also freeze it in ice cube trays for up to 3 months.
Can I make sobolo without sugar?
Yes. Sweeten it with pineapple juice instead, or serve it unsweetened as a tart herbal tea.
How long does it take to make Sobolo (Ghanaian Hibiscus Drink)?
About 25 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Sobolo (Ghanaian Hibiscus Drink)?
About 65 kcal per serving, with 0 g of protein, 16 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 65 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 16 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 15 g |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
