Traditional Caribbean Sorrel Drink
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 Caribbean days. As we have islands in the Caribbean so do we have variations of this refreshing drink (recipe), so please use this as a basic guide for making sorrel and do add your own personal touch.
You’ll Need…
1.5 lb sorrel flowers (trimmed)
8 cups water
1 cinnamon stick
2 pieces of dried orange peel
4 cloves
thick slice of ginger
sugar to sweeten
* Note: If you like your sorrel drink stronger, be sure to double up on the amount of sorrel petals you use. Also note that if you’re using dried sorrel petals, 1 lb will give you a much stronger brew than freshly picked leaves.
This is a very simple recipe and all it really takes is patience. Remove the core out of the sorrel flowers and discard, then place all the ingredients in a large pot, cover with the water and bring to a boil.
* Remember to see my note above about achieving a strong brew! Reduce to a gentle simmer and let it go for about 30 minutes. Then remove off the heat, cover and let it steep for a few hours. Mom would always go overnight for maximum flavor. If you’re wondering what orange peel is.. mom always had the peel (skin) of oranges she would peel for us, hung in a corner of the kitchen to dry. The dried orange peel (skin) would then be used to flavor drinks like sorrel and also make some wonderful (soothing) teas.
It’s now time to strain (and discard).. I would recommend double straining with a very fine strainer or cheese cloth to remove any debris. Chill and sweeten to your liking.
Traditionally brown sugar cane sugar is used in sweetening sorrel, but you can use whatever sweetener you prefer. Remember to add some crushed ice and sliced limes or lemons when serving and you can certainly spike things up with a dash or two of rum and Angostura bitters.
Tip.. double or triple up on the amount of sorrel petals you use and the resulting brew can be used as a concentrate. Simply bottle and store in the fridge. Then use as needed (add a small amount to water, sweeten) when you crave a tall glass of chilled sorrel.
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If anyone wants seeds, contact me. It’s growing all over my yard.
…apparently no one answered that question…I’d like to k is myself having used dried crushed sorrel which resulted in a concentrate,ok but that was not the intended end result..sj
can anyone tell me if this type of sorrel is the kind we have growing wild in the UK? The flowers look very different. Our varieties include Yellow Sorrel, Yellow Creeping Sorrel, Pink Sorrel (another type of Pink Sorrel) and Pink Shamrock Sorrel.
– Common Sorrel (Rumex Acetosa) – Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella) – Sheep’s Sorrel (Rumex Acetosella) and Oxalis Corniculata, Oxalis Debilis, Oxalis Latifolia
no. this sorrel is part of the Hibiscus family
Hi Chris,
Once I’ve boiled the sorrel and make my drink can I reuse the leaves again to make more drinks? Do I dry out the leaves and put them in the fridge?
Thanks
Happy Holidays!
Cindy
You can also add your favorite rum/liquor white rum / liquor preferably
In Washington (State) and found dried sorrel under the name “Hibiscus Tea”
I’m in Washington,DC where can I find SORREL so I can make this drink
Hey Tasha, I just bought some at Foodway in Lanham, but you should be able to find sorrel at any international food market.
Hi Chris,
I tried this recipe first time making Sorrel and it was a hit! Thank you. Now this will be a new tradition but not just for Christmas.
Hi Chris,
I made this recipe, first time making Sorrel and it was a hit! Thank you a new tradition and not just for Christmas.
Used your recipe to make some with sorrel from Grenada. ..I bottled and left in the fridge to cusumay.
I was not a big fan of cooking and baking but your recipes changed that. Thank you and all the best for the future
I live in Florida. I just harvested by first batch of sorrel, and made about 4 gallons and added white rum. I have put it in glass bottles. How do I store these? Does is have to be refrigerated? I plan on giving some as gifts, but I would like to keep some for consumption during the year. Please advise!
You can also add vanilla, banana or strawberry essence to the sorrel drink.It gives it body and good taste.
OMG 2 thumbs up to your Mom, I’m growing my own sorrel and can’t wait. This will make a terrific summer drink!! Thanks to you and your Mom
On a trip to Barbados in 2012 a tour guide picked us some fresh sorrel buds. This was the first time I ever saw it fresh. I have always loved this drink; I keep a bag of dried sorrel in the cupboard because it’s so easy to prepare. Never thought of making a concentrate! Thanks for the inspiration! I’m in the US and recommend your site to friends and family!
I don’t have the dried orange peel because this is sort of last minute can I just use orange zest or fresh orange peel?
I maid the sorrel for Thanksgiving and I will be making it tonight with my daughter for Xmas, I just finished making the Punch-de-Creme recipe, thanks it came out so good…Rum punch next…so happy its Xmas. I get to make all of my favorite things. Have a wonderful Xmas and enjoy your family
I need to correct the word maid, I get so excited when I am speaking about food, I was going to put made. Thanks
Please send me info on how to get sorrel seeds
To refreshingview@gmail. Com
I put a little bay leave
So awesome
I’ll be making a huge Dutch pot of Sorrel tomorrow. Got quite a few packs of Sorrel leaves. I live close to Charlotte NC and it can be hard to find Sorrel in any grocery store. Your best bet is at a local ethnic food store or supermarket. I stocked up on lots of Sorrel leaf packs finding them at a Compare Foods store in Charlotte which is a Latin grocery store. Unless you’ve seen Sorrel before or know exactly what it looks like you may have hard time finding the leaves. But if you know the leaves you will spot it when you see it even if there is no real name on packages if the leaves. At Compare foods it did not really have any name on the packages of leaves. It just said product of Mexico and Jamaica. But I clearly knew what it was as soon as I spot it.
Among all the great benefits of drinking Sorrel Drink one the great thing it does is to help lower your blood pressure naturally. And that’s only one great health benefit among all the others.
what is the dried equivalent of sorrel?
thanks, kelly
Hibiscus is the same plant.
it’s in the same hibiscus plant family, but not the same plant.
FM Charleston, SC: Where do I find the sorrel plant? Who has the seeds so I can grow my patch? Last tasted in Bedford, England, UK 1984-88 while in USAF.
Your cooking classes have revolutionized y kitchen. Thank You so very much.
I have sorrel seeds. I live in Florida and just harvested sorrel and have dried seeds of a good variety. Email me at [email protected].
Please send me info on how to get sorrel seeds
The seeds are ten cent a piece.