Caribbean Sorrel Drink, one of the famous Caribbean holiday drink
Caribbean Sorrel Drink is an excellent spiced infused beverage that is mostly enjoyed during the holidays in many Caribbean homes. The drink is prepared in advance and served over ice.
Sorrel drinks or beverages usually contain wine or rum. Many people also prepare it without alcohol.
What is Sorrel
Sorrel is a “perennial herb that is used all around the world and is cultivated for a wide variety of uses.” (organicfacts.net)
“There are several varieties of sorrel that grow in different regions of the world, and while many of them have slightly different characteristics and associated health benefits, they are generally the same.” (organicfacts.net)
Sorrel Drink is made with the Sorrel flower and not the leaves. When researching the sorrel plant’s benefits, I was stunned to learn that it was very healthy.
I learned that sorrel benefits include strengthening the immune system, improving eyesight, and increasing circulation. It also helps prevent cancer and lowers blood pressure. It is absolutely worth researching the benefits.
Where to find Sorrel
Unfortunately, Sorrel is not available in many supermarkets. I am always baffled to learn that ingredients that are healthy for us are not available everywhere. And once there is scientific research that explains all the benefits, the price of the ingredient or food increases drastically.
The same goes for ingredients such as coconut, turmeric, and ginger. Check out this article about the benefit of coconut oil and think about how costly coconut has become.
A Sorrel Drink recipe worth trying
This recipe is initially from my friend and blogger Charlene Harris from That Girl Cooks Healthy. In her Sorrel post, Charlene says that everyone makes this drink differently.
It is true because every time I taste it, it is always different. Charlene also says that Sorrel should not be mistaken for the common or garden sorrel, a species native to West Africa which was brought over to the Caribbean during the transatlantic slave period.
Sorrel also has several different names; Florida Cranberry, Roselle, Hibiscus Sabdariffa, Saril, Bissap just to name a few. So be aware of where you are purchasing Sorrel.
The drink sorrel is made using the bright red petals that are soaked in water and boiled with spices, ginger sweeten with sugar. Occasionally, wine or rum is added for the grown-ups of course!
If you have not tried Caribbean Sorrel Drink, try it during the holidays! Something new and different that will warm your heart.
Enjoy!
Reference:
http://thatgirlcookshealthy.com/caribbean-sorrel-drink
Originally published in November 2016.
Caribbean Sorrel Drink, one of the famous holiday drink
Ingredients
- 2 cups of dried sorrel
- 8 cups of cold water
- 2 whole cloves
- 2 tbsp of ginger grated (can adjust to 1 tbsp if too pungent)
- 6 pimento berries 1/2 tsp of allspice
- Organic sugar or regular sugar to taste ¾ cups optional
- Orange peel from a small orange
- 2 – 3 cinnamon sticks
- Rum or wine optional and your prefered choice
Instructions
- In a large pot bring the water, sorrel and ginger to the boil for 10 minutes.
- Remove the pot from the stove and then stir in your chosen spices, in which case that would be the cloves and pimento berries (allspice) followed by the orange peel.
- Sweeten to taste before allowing to cool down completely.
- Once cool place in the refrigerator to steep for 2-4 hours or preferably overnight.
- Strain and discard the excess sorrel, peel and spices before serving. You may stir in your preferred rum or wine, maybe ½ cup to 1 cup before serving cold on ice as well.
Notes
Nutrition
Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on the products used.
Nutrition info is automatically generated and provided as a courtesy and as an estimate only.
