In Memory Of Karen Nicole Smith, 1972 - 2016

Sorrel Cranberry Rum Punch Recipe.


cranberry sorrel rum punch (1)

Bring drinks! The holiday season in the Caribbean is all about music, food, family and drinks. Not in that order but you get the picture – fun and merriment! As a kid I looked forward to a chilled glass of sorrel, made from the fresh harvested petals of the Hibiscus sabdariffa plant, which we usually had planted in our kitchen garden. Living in North America means that sourcing fresh sorrel is almost impossible and when you can, it’s insanely expensive.  However we’re very lucky in Southern Ontario to have well stocked stores with the dried sorrel petals. Personally I much prefer using the dried stuff now as I find that the ‘sorrel’ flavor is much more pungent. Today we’ll take the traditional way of making sorrel, toss in some cranberries and spike things with some wicked Caribbean rum, for what I believe is an outstanding holiday Caribbean rum punch.

You’ll Need…

3-4 cups dried sorrel
1 cup dried cranberries
1 1/2 cup sugar
8-12 cups water
1 stick cinnamon
1 star anise
1 orange (cut into wedges)

thick slice of ginger

1 cup rum (or more)
3 dashes angostura bitters
slices of orange (garnish)

Note: Since fresh cranberries is widely available in North America this time of the year, originally I wanted to use the fresh stuff. However knowing that it would be easier to source dried cranberries (around the world), I went with the dried stuff. If using fresh cranberries I would use about 2-3 cups of it.

cranberry sorrel rum punch (2)

Put the sorrel, cranberries, star anise, cinnamon and orange wedges (you can squeezed the juice of the oranges directly into the pot – keep the skin in there) and top with the water. Bring to a boil, then add the sugar and reduce to a simmer for 10-15 minutes (stir well after adding the sugar to dissolve and sweeten). Turn the stove off and let the mixture steep for about 2 hours.

cranberry sorrel rum punch (3)

cranberry sorrel rum punch (4)

cranberry sorrel rum punch (5)

cranberry sorrel rum punch (6)

The mixture will take on a rich deep red color and your kitchen will take on the lovely aroma of the season (smells like Christmas). Be careful when doing this step as if it spills it may stain. It should be cool now, so strain (you may have to do this a couple times) into a clean jug or punch bowl and get ready to give it the kick good rum punch MUST possess! Discard the strained stuff.

cranberry sorrel rum punch (7)

cranberry sorrel rum punch (8)

Taste for sugar (adjust to your liking), add the bitters and go in with as much rum as you like. I used white rum as I wanted the flavors of the sorrel, cranberries and slight hint of cinnamon to really shine. but if you want it more spicy, you can use a spiced dark rum. You’ll also notice that I didn’t add any cloves as in making traditional sorrel.. I personally believe it would be too spicy.

cranberry sorrel rum punch (9)

Chill and serve with some slices of orange and remember if you’re adding ice, keep that in mind when sweetening (so it doesn’t get watered down). A perfect twist on both traditional rum punch and Caribbean sorrel drink.. Do leave out the rum if you’re giving the kids some sips! Those kids can get rowdy when intoxicated!

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Summary
recipe image
Recipe Name
Sorrel Cranberry Rum Punch Recipe.
Published On
Preparation Time
Cook Time
Total Time
Average Rating
4.51star1star1star1star1star Based on 21 Review(s)
Share:

8 Comments

  1. Kim
    January 2, 2022 / 4:27 pm

    Ah, Chris, you’ve done it again. You are my #1 source for Caribbean foods. The sorrel and cranberry mixture is steeping as I type this. Never heard of sorrel, but I was happy to find it on Amazon. What a vibrant, deep red/purple color! Can’t wait to taste a first sip.

  2. Dee
    May 13, 2019 / 7:04 pm

    Since I don’t celebrate Christmas, this is an anytime, any reason drink!

  3. Dawn
    November 29, 2015 / 2:50 am

    Love that sorrel recipe, will try it. Thanks Chris

  4. Richard & joy Ramlogan
    December 24, 2014 / 9:52 am

    Hi Chris !!! Thanks for this wonderful recipe, surely gonna try this today Christmas Eve for our big people family to try. Merry Christmas from the Heart of Pickering (:

  5. Liz
    December 18, 2014 / 1:56 pm

    Hi there, living in Whitby and heading to the liquor store. What rum should I buy? : )

    • admin
      December 19, 2014 / 10:44 am

      personally I like Bacardi, but I was told that Appleton Silver works great as well. If you want something with more body, do a spice rum.

  6. Fran Tabone
    December 17, 2014 / 12:16 pm

    Hi Chis,
    Thanks for all these lovely West Indian recipes. I left Grenada too young to know how to make many dishes so your site and emails have helped to bring me up to speed!
    Question: I live in Brampton where we have a Nicies Food Mart. They have fresh sorrel for Christmas. Should I be boiling my sorrel & fresh cranberries for longer to make your Sorrel Cranberry Rum Punch?
    Thanks,
    Fran

    • admin
      December 17, 2014 / 7:50 pm

      I would boil it for about 40 minutes (very low heat), and let it steep overnight. this way you get as much flavor out as possible. Remember to squeeze the boiled sorrel to extract as much juice as possible.

Leave a Reply

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