While Sorrel (the dried sepals [the outer parts] of the genus Hibiscus [Roselle] flower which create a versatile and colorful red liquid when infused with hot water) is predominantly made around Christmas-time in the Caribbean (that’s when the flowers are ready for harvest), there’s no reason why this refreshing passionfruit and citrus infused version cannot…
Sorrel and homemade ginger-beer are two drinks you’re guaranteed to find being enjoyed in just about every Caribbean home you visit during the Christmas season. Even after we moved to Canada, it was our yearly tradition to source out a grocery store which stocked the dried petals of sorrel or have relatives who would be visiting stock their suitcases with a package or two on their way up. The odd time we could get the fresh flowers, it was a welcomed bonus (like finding buried treasure). It’s funny how after so many years of using the dried stuff, you almost prefer it to the fresh ones now.
If there’s one drink in the Caribbean which screams “Christmas” it would definitely have to be sorrel. From Trinidad and Tobago in the south (include Guyana in mainland South America) to Jamaica in the north, as you make you way up the island chain… islanders all appreciate a cold glass of sorrel on those hot…
When our daughters were younger I remember that whenever anyone was coming to visit from Trinidad and Tobago they always had a few bottles of Sorrel Shandy in their suitcase for them. Especially Tehya, who felt grown-up drinking from a bottle which looked similar to a beer bottle. My memories of sorrel (the drink and…
