Sorrel Drink

Name: Sorrel Drink
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Guyanese
Ingredients: 200g dried sorrel (hibiscus) petals; 2 liters water; 1 cup sugar; 6 cloves; 2 cinnamon sticks; 1 piece dried orange peel; 1 inch fresh ginger, sliced; 1 tsp vanilla extract

Sorrel (SOR-rel)

Hibiscus Spiced Beverage

⏱ Prep Time 30 min plus overnight

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

Deep red Christmas drink made from dried sorrel (hibiscus) petals steeped with cloves, cinnamon, and orange peel, sweetened and served ice-cold.

Nutrition & Info

Carbs 25.0g

Dietary

vegetarian vegan dairy-free gluten-free nut-free

Equipment Needed

large pot strainer bottles funnel

Presentation Guide

Vessel: tall glass with ice

Garnishes: cinnamon stick, orange slice

Accompaniments: Christmas cake, garlic pork alternative

Ingredients

200g dried sorrel (hibiscus) petals
2 liters water
1 cup sugar
6 cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
1 piece dried orange peel
1 inch fresh ginger, sliced
1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1
Wash dried sorrel petals and place in a large pot with cloves, cinnamon, ginger, and orange peel.
2
Pour boiling water over the petals and spices. Cover tightly and let steep overnight for maximum color and flavor.
3
Strain through a fine sieve, pressing petals to extract all the deep red liquid. Discard solids.
4
Add sugar and vanilla extract to the strained liquid. Stir until sugar fully dissolves.
5
Refrigerate until ice cold. The color should be a vibrant, jewel-like ruby red.
6
Serve over ice in tall glasses. Some families add a splash of rum for the adult version at Christmas parties.

💡

Did You Know?

The sorrel plant blooms around December, making this naturally a Christmas drink that marks the start of the holiday season.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

large pot
strainer
bottles
funnel

Garnishing

cinnamon stick, orange slice

Accompaniments

Christmas cake, garlic pork alternative

The Story Behind Sorrel Drink

Sorrel drink connects Guyana to the wider Caribbean and West African tradition of hibiscus beverages known by different names across the tropical world. In Guyana, it became inseparable from Christmas celebrations, with families beginning to prepare large batches in early December. The deep red color symbolizes the festive season, and no Guyanese Christmas table is complete without a pitcher of ice-cold sorrel.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed christmas season and celebrations 📜 Origins: West African heritage

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