Zobo (Nigerian Hibiscus Drink)
In short: A ruby-red chilled drink of dried hibiscus simmered with ginger, cloves and pineapple peel, sweetened to taste and served over ice at parties. 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
Zobo is the ruby-red drink of dried hibiscus calyces that Nigerians serve at parties, naming ceremonies and roadside stalls. The flowers are boiled with ginger and cloves, sometimes with pineapple peel, then strained, sweetened and chilled. It is tart, fragrant and refreshing, and the deep color is entirely natural. Zobo has its roots in northern Nigeria, and every household has its own balance of spice and sweetness.
Instructions
- Rinse the dried hibiscus under cold running water and drain well.
- Put the hibiscus, water, ginger, cloves and pineapple peel in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Take the pot off the heat, cover and leave to steep for 30 minutes, until the liquid is deep ruby red.
- Strain through a fine sieve, pressing the calyces to squeeze out all the liquid. Stir in the sugar until dissolved, add the lime juice and taste.
- Cool, then chill for at least 2 hours. Serve over ice.
Tips
- Taste before you add all the sugar. Zobo should be tangy and lightly sweet, not syrupy. Date syrup or agave syrup can replace the sugar.
- For a spiced version, add a cinnamon stick or a few crushed cardamom pods to the pot, or top each glass with sparkling water for a lighter drink.
Questions and answers
How long does zobo keep?
In a clean, covered bottle in the fridge it keeps for 5 days. You can also freeze it in ice cube trays and use the cubes to chill the next batch.
Is zobo the same as hibiscus tea or sorrel?
Zobo is the Nigerian version of a drink made across the world, known as sorrel in the Caribbean and agua de jamaica in Mexico. The Nigerian style is usually flavored with ginger and cloves and served cold.
Where can I buy dried hibiscus?
African, Caribbean, Mexican and Middle Eastern groceries sell it, as do many health food stores and online shops. Look for hibiscus flowers or roselle.
How long does it take to make Zobo (Nigerian Hibiscus Drink)?
About 25 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Zobo (Nigerian Hibiscus Drink)?
About 65 kcal per serving, with 0 g of protein, 17 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 65 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 17 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 16 g |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
