Sorrel Drink (Guyanese Spiced Hibiscus Christmas Drink)
In short: A deep red, tart-sweet drink of dried sorrel (hibiscus) steeped with ginger, cinnamon, cloves and orange peel, served ice cold at Christmas. It takes about 30 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Resting
- 8 h
- Total
- 30 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 90 kcal
Sorrel is the ruby-red drink on every Guyanese Christmas table. Dried sorrel, the calyces of the hibiscus plant, is steeped in hot water with fresh ginger, cinnamon, cloves and orange peel, then strained, sweetened and chilled. The flavor is tart like cranberry, warm with spice and very refreshing over ice. Many families add a splash of rum for the adults. Make it a day ahead, since it tastes better after a night in the fridge.
Instructions
- Rinse the sorrel under cold water and drain. Put the water, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and orange peel in a large pot, bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add the sorrel, stir once, cover and take the pot off the heat. Let it cool to room temperature, about 1 hour, then refrigerate and steep for at least 8 hours or overnight.
- Strain through a fine sieve, pressing the sorrel to extract all the color, and discard the solids.
- Stir in 150 g (3/4 cup) of the sugar until dissolved, then add more to taste. Add the rum, if using.
- Chill until very cold and serve over ice.
Tips
- Taste before adding all the sugar, since batches of sorrel vary in tartness. A little more ginger gives a peppery bite for those who like it.
- Keep it in a covered bottle in the fridge for up to 1 week. Freeze some in ice cube trays and add the cubes to sparkling water for a quick cold drink.
Questions and answers
What is sorrel?
Sorrel is the dried calyx of the roselle hibiscus plant, not the green leafy herb. It gives a deep red color and a tart, cranberry-like flavor.
Can I drink sorrel without alcohol?
Yes. Sorrel is naturally alcohol-free and the rum is optional. Many families serve both versions at Christmas.
Where can I buy dried sorrel?
Look for dried hibiscus flowers, sold as flor de jamaica, in Latin American, Caribbean and Mexican grocers and online. Choose bright, deep red calyces without much dust.
How long does it take to make Sorrel Drink (Guyanese Spiced Hibiscus Christmas Drink)?
About 30 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Sorrel Drink (Guyanese Spiced Hibiscus Christmas Drink)?
About 90 kcal per serving, with 0 g of protein, 23 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 90 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 23 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 22 g |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
