• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
In Search Of Yummy-ness
  • Recipes
  • Guides
  • Gardening
  • Subscribe
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Guides
  • Gardening
  • Subscribe
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Guides
    • Gardening
    • Subscribe
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Drinks

    Caribbean Sorrel Drink

    Published: Dec 21, 2017 · Modified: Feb 12, 2022 by Shareba · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    ↓ Jump to Recipe

    Sorrel Drink is a tangy, spice-infused beverage that is often served at Christmas and New Year's in several parts of the Caribbean.

    Caribbean Sorrel Drink | InSearchOfYummyness.com

    There are some recipes that are so ingrained in our family traditions, we can sometimes take them for granted. This sorrel drink recipe is like that for me.

    Growing up, this ruby-coloured beverage would show up around Christmastime and stick around straight through the New Year.

    At first, I didn’t take much notice of it - preferring to drink my mom’s sparkling cranberry punch instead.

    But eventually, I came to know sorrel drink as the nicer one of two Trinidadian beverages that my parents would have in the house during the holidays.

    (The other drink being something called Mauby – a bitter drink made from special tree bark, which I have never liked!!!)

    You can think of sorrel drink as a Christmassy lemonade.

    Steeped sorrel has a strong, tangy/acidic flavour that tastes strangely like lemon, but it plays well with warm fall spices. It might seem a bit strange to drink a cold beverage with warm spices, but it actually works really well!

    Sorrel drink in glasses on a grey drink tray with ornaments | InSearchOfYummyness

    We don’t make a ton of Caribbean foods at home, simply because a lot of the classic recipes take a long time to make, or require ingredients that are difficult to find here in Canada.

    But my mom has always tried to bring elements of Trinidadian cuisine into our holiday celebrations, with recipes like coconut “breakfast bun” cookies, or Caribbean Chelsea buns, and this sorrel drink recipe.

    We’ve always just called this “sorrel”, based on the Roselle hibiscus plant that it’s made from, but apparently, there is a leafy green called sorrel too. The two plants are completely unrelated, so if you’re trying this recipe for the first time you’ll want to make sure you have the right ingredient before you get started!

    Like so many Caribbean recipes, including my beloved macaroni pie, there are many different variations of this drink.

    Ginger, cinnamon, orange peel and cloves are popular additions, but I’ve also seen recipes that call for allspice, bay leaf and rum.

    The recipe I'm sharing today belonged to my late grandmother, and of course, my mom has put her own spin on it throughout the years. If you saw our spiced apple cider recipe, you know that we love to cook with star anise, and that flavour is key to our version of sorrel drink.

    Some sorrel recipes require you to steep the mixture for hours, or leave it overnight to develop the flavours. We prefer to use a lot of spices and bring the mixture to a simmer, so that the mixture can become flavourful in a shorter period of time.

    However, if you prefer a really strong brew, you can still leave the mixture in the fridge overnight to really intensify the flavors.

    Simmering Caribbean Sorrel Drink | InSearchOfYummyness.com

    We use fresh sorrel for this recipe when it’s available (which isn’t often), but dried sorrel works equally well. Since the dried sorrel tends to be easier to find, I’ve based the recipe on that.

    If you do get your hands on fresh sorrel, just be sure to at least double the amount that you use. The dried version has a much stronger flavour (like dried herbs).

    You will probably need to add a lot of sugar to balance out the acidity of the sorrel. We never sweeten the whole pitcher. Instead, we leave the strained sorrel in the fridge and then everyone can adjust their glass with sugar and water to their preference.

    I like to dilute mine a little bit, and add a teaspoon or two of sugar to my glass.

    The last thing to keep in mind is that steeped sorrel is sometimes used as a natural pigment to dye fabric, meaning that this stuff will stain anything it touches. Just something to keep in mind before you decide to make this while wearing a nice white sweater!

    Have you tried sorrel before? Let me know in the comments!

    Sorrel drink in glasses garnished with orange twists | InSearchOfYummyness

    Caribbean Sorrel Drink

    This tangy spice-infused drink is traditional holiday drink in several parts of the Caribbean. Be sure to adjust the sweetness and intensity of the drink to suit your preferences. 
    4.36 from 34 votes
    Shareba | In Search Of Yummy-ness
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved! Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 15 mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine Caribbean
    Servings 10 servings
    Calories 25

    Ingredients
     

    • 2 cups dried sorrel, (roselle/hibiscus sabdariffa)
    • 10 cups water
    • 3 cinnamon sticks
    • 4 star anise, whole
    • 2 pieces orange peel, fresh (2-3 inches)
    • 2 tsp white sugar, or more (to taste)

    Instructions
     

    • Combine all ingredients, except the sugar, in a large pot.
    • Gently simmer for about 10 minutes, then remove from heat. Allow the mixture to sit for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours to infuse.  
    • Strain the mixture into a glass pitcher. Set in fridge to chill.
    • When ready to serve, sweeten and/or dilute the mixture to your preference. Serve over ice. 
    • Store unused portion in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. It is normal to see some sediment in the bottle after a few days. 

    Notes

    Other flavours you can add are:
    • cloves
    • allspice
    • ginger
    • lime Tips:
    • For a more "adult" drink, you can add rum to this recipe.
    • If using fresh sorrel, you will need at least twice the amount compared to using dried sorrel. 
    • To intensify the flavour even more, you can leave the unstrained mixture in the fridge overnight, then strain before serving. 
    • Try lining a sieve with cheesecloth before straining the mixture, this helps to catch tiny particles and impurities in the mixture. 
    If you don't want to go through the steeping process yourself, look for Sorrel syrup in West Indian or Asian markets.
    CAUTION: the sorrel mixture is highly pigmented and will stain anything it falls on (clothes, dish towels, plastic etc.).

    See blog post for detailed tips and explanations.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 25kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 13mgPotassium: 15mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 145IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 4mg

    Please note that these nutritional values are only an estimate, and have been generated from a database using generic products.

    Have you made this recipe?Please leave a review in the comments below!

    This recipe card may contain affiliate links that support this website.

    Share or Save this for Later!

    2.1K shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ally @ Om Nom Ally

      December 28, 2013 at 4:29 pm

      Wow, this looks spectacular and makes me very sad that I won't be able to try it - we don't get fresh sorrel here 🙁 I'm going to have to live vicariously through you on this one and just imaging how wonderful it tastes 😀 Thanks for sharing this at Smoothie OTW and hope you'll link up again soon.
      Belated Happy Holidays to you!

      Reply
    2. Cathy

      December 29, 2017 at 12:05 pm

      Thank you for introducing me to this traditional beverage! I think I would like it, as I like lemonade. I also like hibiscus tea, although I'm sure this is nothing like that. I would be interested in trying this if I could get the sorrel.

      Reply
      • Shareba

        January 01, 2018 at 9:34 pm

        I think you would like it Cathy! It's like lemonade made with hibiscus tea since you're basically steeping the sorrel before you chill and sweeten it. I found dried sorrel at Real Canadian Superstore, but Amazon should have it too!

        Reply
    3. Jessica

      December 29, 2017 at 1:56 pm

      This looks absolutely wonderful! I love all of those warming spice flavours that are included - sounds like a perfect wintertime drink!

      Reply
      • Shareba

        January 01, 2018 at 9:34 pm

        Thanks Jessica!

        Reply
    4. Bola Silvia

      October 29, 2018 at 5:17 pm

      5 stars
      I have had Sorrell from a young age. I’m latina and was born in Panama. My Mom and Grandparents and Aunts as well as many friends made this drink on Thanksgiving, Christmas and sometimes even during the year from either the fresh or dried Sorrell. My Grandfather had a garden and he planted and grew Sorrell so most of the time we made the beverage from fresh Sorrell. When my sons were younger my Mom and I made it several times here in the U.S. when I was able to find and purchase the Sorrell but we were the only ones who drank it because they didn’t like it. I recently got a bag of Sorrell from a friend so I’m making it for Thanksgiving and Christmas vecause they won’t drink it but I woukd love it, haven’t had it for years. It was a pleasure texting about it to you. GOD bless you and have a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas.

      Reply
      • Shareba

        October 30, 2018 at 10:55 pm

        Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences with sorrel with me! I'm glad your friend gave you a bag, and that you'll be able to enjoy the drink again this holiday season. Thank you for the well wishes, and I hope you have a lovely Thanksgiving and Christmas too. 🙂

        Reply
    5. Sandra

      December 17, 2018 at 2:13 pm

      5 stars
      Hi, I have bottled my sorrel drink but noticed some stuff in the bottom of bottle not sure what it is and whether or not the drink is still good Is it starting to ferment? It's only been one week since I made it.

      Reply
      • Shareba

        December 17, 2018 at 4:22 pm

        Hi Sandra, did you put it in the fridge? I don't think it would start fermenting that quickly... but if it has been sitting on the counter it could be spoiling.

        Reply
    6. William H Bazemore

      April 09, 2019 at 12:11 am

      I visited a Caribbean Soul Food Restaurant in Harlem, New York named Johnny Kaks International, Inc. serving this most flavorful homemade drink. Now I truly want no more soda of any kind. Sorrel is my request when both in-house dining or takeout. They also serve a homemade Ginger Punch just as tasty.

      Reply
      • Shareba

        April 09, 2019 at 1:37 pm

        I'm glad to hear that you've found a couple of Caribbean drinks that you enjoy!

        Reply
    7. Nicole Loewen

      April 12, 2019 at 4:06 pm

      5 stars
      This was delicious! And I happened to be making kombucha at the same time so I figured I would just water it down a little, add a little extra sugar and ended up making this into a kombucha... it was so good!!! Will for sure be making this again. Many times.

      Reply
      • Shareba

        April 12, 2019 at 9:35 pm

        Oh neat! I'm glad you enjoyed it 🙂

        Reply
    8. Rebekah Duvall

      September 29, 2019 at 9:14 am

      I planted roselle in my garden this year and really enjoyed it. I would like to can some roselle jelly using the hot water bath canning method, but I’ve had trouble finding a simple recipe (roselle, water, sugar, lemon and pectin). Do you have a recipe you can share with me?

      Thank you,
      Rebekah

      Reply
      • Shareba

        September 30, 2019 at 8:59 pm

        Hey Rebekah, I'm so sorry I don't have a recipe for you. I've actually never tried canning roselle before. We very rarely get it fresh where I am in Canada, so I usually use the dried stuff. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

        Reply
        • Rebekah Duvall

          October 01, 2019 at 7:28 am

          Thank you for taking the time to respond.

          Reply
    9. SJam

      December 20, 2019 at 9:38 am

      5 stars
      I live in Belize on the Caribbean Sea. This morning in the market were heaps of fresh sorrel! I'm so excited to have fresh sorrel spiced punch for our Christmas day.

      Reply
      • Shareba

        December 21, 2019 at 12:01 pm

        That sounds so lovely!!! I hope you enjoy the recipe, Merry Christmas 🙂

        Reply
    10. Sher

      December 28, 2019 at 2:42 am

      5 stars
      I just finished making the sorrel for the 1st time! I put cloves, ginger slices, cinnamon and lemon wedges! I did not know about the star anis. So I added them know to see if the taste will change. I do find the drink a little bitter is that what it is supposed to taste like?

      Reply
      • Shareba

        December 29, 2019 at 4:41 pm

        Hi Sher,

        Hmmm... the drink shouldn't have turned bitter. Star Anise does have a very strong liquorice flavour though, so if you're not used to it you may need to use less or omit them all together.
        Another possibility is that your stovetop gets hotter than mine, and the mixture cooked at too high of a temperature for too long. I could see that resulting in a bitter drink. The drink should taste sort of like a warm spiced lemonade, if that makes sense. The sorrel makes the drink sour, which needs to be balanced out with the sugar, and the spices should come through but shouldn't be overpowering.

        Reply
    11. Mat Vanden

      July 03, 2020 at 8:24 pm

      5 stars
      Today While Working outside of a Guyanese Mans House He was impressed with our work and offered us a unknown dark red drink on ice! We said sure , tryed it and the unique flavour sold us both who we’re trying it for the first time.
      He was happy we liked it and offered us a bag of sorrel each to make it at home again for ourselves! Awesome experience and that how I learned about this drink and will try it again soon! 🙂

      Reply
      • Shareba

        July 04, 2020 at 11:11 am

        That was nice of him! I hope you enjoy making the drink at home 🙂

        Reply
    12. gale

      August 30, 2020 at 9:25 am

      I'm glad I found your blog. I have everything I need to make the sorrel except an orange, which I will solve once I finish my coffee. I will let you know how it turns out.

      Reply
      • Shareba

        August 30, 2020 at 9:48 am

        I hope you like it!

        Reply
    13. marsha Johnson

      November 02, 2020 at 6:20 pm

      I made a pot and it is amazing. Fresh sorell, ginger, allspice and cinnamon sticks. Will add sparkling water sweetener and ice.

      Reply
      • Shareba

        November 03, 2020 at 10:00 am

        I'm glad you enjoyed it Marsha! Adding sparkling water is a great idea!

        Reply
    14. Nancy

      November 28, 2020 at 4:04 pm

      After a hot and grueling climb up a narrow, twisting mountain path to spend two weeks with my in-laws in the hills outside of Kingston, Jamaica, I was breathless and drenched in sweat. My mother in law handed my an ice cold glass of sorrel. An unforgettable memory that reminds me of their generous hospitality long ago.

      Reply
      • Shareba

        November 28, 2020 at 4:38 pm

        That's a great story! I'm sure you appreciated that cold drink, that sounds like quite the trek!

        Reply
        • Maria Upal

          August 20, 2021 at 3:59 pm

          I have made the drink from the dried flowers first time in my life although I grow sorrel at home and use the leavesma for soups, it is heaven. Thank you for the recipe so now I am enjoying the wonderful drink- thank you so much.

          Reply
          • Shareba

            August 21, 2021 at 11:45 am

            I'm so glad I could help Maria!

            Reply
    15. Marcia

      November 30, 2021 at 9:41 pm

      My neighbor gave me sorrel from her garden. I followed my mom's Panamanian recipe which was very much like yours. I made too much though! How should I store this drink? Glass or plastic container? Can I freeze it? Please help I don't want to waste any and I've already given away a gallon. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Shareba

        November 30, 2021 at 9:53 pm

        Hi Marcia, I always prefer storing drinks that are spiced and/or dark coloured in glass, in the fridge. That way you don't have to worry about flavours sinking into the plastic or strong colours dying it. I've honestly never tried to freeze it, but I think it could work! I'd either freeze it in 1 litre freezer-safe containers (I use food-safe plastic so I don't have to worry about glass breaking in the freezer), and then just thaw what you need when you need it. Any extra sorrel could be made into ice cubes to either cool off your drink without diluting it, or add them to plain water to make a little fancy water. I hope this helps!

        Reply
    16. Patricio

      December 15, 2021 at 1:01 pm

      Do's your mother have a good recipe for Sorel jam without too much sugar

      Reply
      • Shareba

        December 15, 2021 at 2:30 pm

        Hi Patricio, unfortunately she doesn't. Maybe this might be an option? I haven't tried it myself: https://thatgirlcookshealthy.com/sorrel-jam/

        Reply
    17. anthony

      May 02, 2022 at 12:32 pm

      i love it

      Reply
      • Shareba

        May 02, 2022 at 3:47 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    18. Evelyn

      May 17, 2022 at 5:21 am

      Hi! How much cloves would you recommend?

      Reply
      • Shareba

        May 17, 2022 at 9:58 am

        Hi Evelyn, for this quantity I'd add 4 whole cloves and see if you like the flavour. If you want it stronger, go up to 6 and try it again. You can always add a few more, but starting with too many might overpower the drink. I hope that helps!

        Reply

    Thanks for reading! Please leave a comment: Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Shareba!

    Welcome to In Search Of Yummy-ness.

    I share tasty wholesome recipes and gardening tips for beginners. Why don't you grab a cup of tea and stay a while? I appreciate you being here!

    More about me →

    Seasonal Recipes

    • Winter Citrus Yogurt Bowl
    • Massaged Kale Salad with Pine Nuts & Pomegranate
    • Spiced Hot Cocoa
    • The Ultimate Guide to Roasting Chestnuts

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Important Links

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Service
    • Disclosures and Copyright
    • Contact Me

    Resources

    • Resources for Bloggers
    • Shop my Amazon storefront (affiliate)
    • Shop West Coast Seeds online (affiliate)

    Featured On

    A list of websites that have featured In Search Of Yummy-ness including Saveur and Popsugar

    This website generates income via ads, affiliate links and sponsored posts.
    Please read our privacy policy and disclosures for more information.

    Copyright © 2022 · In Search Of Yummy-ness · All Rights Reserved

    This site uses cookies for personalization, to customize its online advertisements, and to give you the best experience on our website. By continuing to use our service, you agree to our use of cookies.OkRead Privacy Policy