Sorrel Drink (recipe)
Christmas in Trinidad is a diverse multicultural affair. Not just for the Christian population, but also through the secular participation of the nation at large through the enjoyment of our local christmas songs (called parang) and especially the creation and consumption of our traditional Christmas foods. No Christmas in Trinidad would be complete without some rum-soaked black cake cold thick Punch de Creme, piping hot pastelles or a cold refreshing glass of sorrel.
Sorrel, made from the sepals, of the sorrel flower is fruity and fragrant. I have fond memories of sitting at my aunt’s feet as a child, helping her to handpick the flowers. The seed of the sorrel is covered with fine prickly hairs that eventually find their way into the pads of your fingers. They are not painful but definitely annoying! A friend once told me that the petals are quite delicious raw with some salt. At first I thought she was insane but once I tried it I was hooked.
Similar in taste to hibiscus tea, sorrel becomes even more heavenly with the addition of rum 
Made properly your sorrel should be thick and syrupy. Fear not, just dilute it with some cold water, club soda when serving.
Recipe:5 to 6 (1-inch) slices ginger
1 cup dried sorrel petals
1 tablespoon cloves
Brown sugar syrup (1 cup water + 1 lb brown sugar boiled together)
Dark rum, optional
1. Let cut ginger sit for 2 to 3 hours. The longer it sits the stronger it becomes.
2. Boil ginger in 2 quarts of water.
3. Once water is boiling, add sorrel and cloves.
4. Boil for 30 minutes.
5. Cover tightly and steep overnight.
6. Strain and add sugar syrup and rum to taste.
7. Chill and serve.
Makes 4 servings
*Sorrel flowers are harvested around November and December. For those not in the Caribbean they can be purchased pre-packaged from Caribbean or African stores.
Sorrel for sale in a Trinidadian market
celebration. In northern India guests are always greeted with a cup of chai ?˘‚Ǩ‚Äú hot milky Darjeeling or Assam tea flavoured with green, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, whole peppercorns and fresh ginger. Now that?˘‚Ǩ‚Ѣs what I call a warm welcome. [IMG ]Sorrel Sarina Nicole from TriniGourmet Trinidad and Tobago Christmas in Trinidad would not be complete without a cold refreshing glass of sorrel, made from the sepals of the sorrel flower. This fruity, fragrant drink tastes similar to hibiscus and also
yet another sorrel recipe from my friend Sarina http://tinyurl.com/7b6ro5
@JimmySunshine http://tinyurl.com/7b6ro5
NICE I was trying to explain to people here what sorrell was.
Now I can
hee i’m so glad!
you can use the Tell-A-Friend link to easily email the entry to people 
Where I can buy sorrell here in the US? I love sorrell but I can’t find it here in USA. Is any one knows how to get it or have a web site for it. Thanks
I love the color of that dried hibiscus…bring me back home. to puerto rico. In PR we call the drink sorrel, Jamaica. Tutty…you can find it in Latino or carribbean stores in the US
do you have a recipe for sorrel ice cream and is the above recipe the syrup we buy in a bottle in the grocery store
I know this may be late coming, but in reference to the person asking where you can get sorrel from, i would always get from alot of the jamaican and halal food restaraunts when i would go with my husband to visit his family in Brooklyn. That’s where i first heard about it and fell in love with it.
I Love Sorrel.. Every Year Around Christmas time My Grandma Makes It For The Family. Its Nice To Sit In The Living Room With Your Family Drinking A Cold Glass Of Sorrel While Listening To Parang Soca.
Its Just A Trini Thing!
I had sorrel for the frist time this Christmas. What a wonderful treat for my son and myself. We loved it so much that I begged Mother Grant to make us some more. Between this and green tea and water I can not see us drinking to many other drinks. I will keep some on hand without the (rum).
Thanks so much for shareing a real treat.
Currently we are raising three differ types of Sorrel plants to product a Sorrel drink
If any one interested please reply back subject title “SORREL”: let me know
Thank You
David L. Wasler
dwasler@yahoo.com
It’s amazing how connected we all are! From the continent East and West to the Islands North and South. We all have a version of Sorrel…I enjoy a cup of Sudanese hibbiscus tea(their version of Sorrel) or sweet West African bisap mixed with ginger anyway it’s all the same and equally delicious.
sorrel is of the hibiscus family and is sold, sometimes, as hibiscus tea in health food shops.
it often looks like dried shredded sorrel, have a look. also sold dried and packaged in African
food shops
Subject: Sorrel growing
I would like to know the Sorrel variety used in brewing the flower sepals for the Jamaican drink.
I know we can purchase the dried flowers here in the U.S., but I would also like to grow it, if I know what Sorrel type seed to purchase. A friend of mine from Jamaica introduced it to me; and now that she lives here I would like to surprise her with a plant gift, since we helped her put in her landscaping.
it’s sold as dried hibiscus here in southern california. i had sorrel in paris at a senegalese restaurant for the 1st time and it was really good! can’t wait to make some for myself.
You can purchase dried sorrel flowers from Kalustyan’s, on Lexington Ave., NYC. Too far to drive? Just Google “Kalustyan’s New York” and you’ll discover an amazing source of international spices, herbs, flours, sweetenings, coffees, and other goodies. They’re happy to send your order and everything is packed right so nothing is broken. Prices are very fair.
Thank u so much Wendy. I wanna come home!!! *sigh. Just googled “sorrel” to try to explain to a friend what it is and who better to explain culinary delights than Wendy Rahamut. Thanks alot. Keep up the great work.
Guidance!
Love all the comments received to date, keep them coming! Hate to burst your bubble Xavier, but I’m not Wendy Rahamut
Is more than one Trini can cook yuh know 
I think I am going to try this for Thanksgiving for a trial run, then Christmas if folks like it.
Without the rum, since I want my parents to give it a taste as well.
Ant – I’m sure it will be a hit!!
Seasons Greeting Sarnia – thanks for creating this site and helping us remember yard traditions and childhood memories. For those in the Washington DC area Langley Park has several stores that carry sorrel (dried). I bought some this p.m. at Caribbean Market II (301) 439-5288.
Cheers!
Thanks so much for the recipe. I drink it all the time at my african dance classes and my kids love it. So glad I can make it at home.
[...] alcoholic drinks are sorrel and ginger beer. Sorrel is a drink made from boiling the flowers of the sorrel plant which blooms around Christms time and [...]
[...] heard of Sorrel, let alone tasted it. Evidently it’s a perennial herb that’s popular as a drink mixer and alone in Trinidad. I should have tried it with the Doubles! As a tea it’s fairly mild, maybe with a vaguely [...]
Michelle,
Thanks for sharing the Market in the DC area. When I head up, I will definitely have to check it out. DO they carry the Ginger Mints, etc?
I love those..can’t get enough of them.
-Ant
Thanks for posting this recepie!!!
I did a search for sorrel because this year I am making a Bajan meal for Christmas. Ham, lamb, macaroni pie, conkies, rice and peas, potatoes and gravy, jug jug and I wanted to make some sorrell but I am having a hard time finding it. I stayed in “Compare supermarket” for hours tonight getting all my ingredients but no sorrel and no guinea corn. so disappointed. Sarina your recipe sounds soooo good! And how much rum do you put in it? I sure hope Koren figured out the syrup is the brown sugar and water as stated in the recipe and not the store brought kind. LOL
I found some Hibiscus syrup because the amount I needed of the dried flower was difficult to find in VA.
The bottle stated 100% natural.
Directions:
7 parts water
1 part syrup
stir very well and add ice.
Should I boil my water, then add ginger and glove to give the Trini flair?
I purchased 2 bottles of it, so I can play around with it a little. Each bottle makes 2 gallons.
I will ask my Trini friend to make me some authentic sorrel when he returns from home (Trinidad) for the holidays.
I look forward to your comments.
Well after I read what you said I went back to the market. They had hibiscus buds in a package and when I asked for the sorrel they had them loose in a barrel (it looked just like the hibiscus buds) but they called it fleur de Jamaica. It was $7 a lbs. I thought the recipe said 1 lbs of sorrel (vs 1 cup) so I brought almost a lbs! Thank Goodness I did not depend on memory to make it! LOL
Anyway the ginger,, sorrel and cloves are seeping right now. It smells good in here!
Merry Christmas all…and to all a good night!
Also using the recipe above does anyone know how much rum should go in it and also how much water should I add to thin it out?
Ant – Yes, it seems what you have there is almost a hibiscus tea concentrate. Do add the ginger and other items. Try making it more concentrated, you can always dilute it later on. But if it’s too thin it will be hard to salvage
Jacki – Merry Christmas
The rum and water is entirely up to your own preference. I hesitated to put measurements because sorrel is as distinctive as its makers. In some homes it’s closer to a syrup or a cordial, in others its almost a cooler. So do whatever tastes right for you 
As a child growing up in trini….sorrel is one of my favorite drink ….but its always taste better when u hand pick the bud fresh and boil overnight……it taste way better than the dried pre packaged one…..any way…..the way we did it old school…it had cloves in it to kick it up a notch…lol. try it…
I added cloves to mines and let the “tea” seep for 3 days. I refrigerated it after I mixed the “syrup” in it. It was thick so I filled my glass up with ice then poured the sorrel over. It watered it down just enough and it tasted so dang bang good! I did not add any rum to it. I would recommend this to anyone although I do not think I would drink it anytime except between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It tastes like a Christmas drink. Thanks for the recipe!!
I drank Sorell like this for the first time in Jamaica. Goes great with the overproof! Most amazing drink I have ever tasted. Beautiful stuff. I love your recipies, keep em coming!
groundworkscreative’s last blog post..
well, thanks for the recipe it added more flavour to my sorrel drink. but if u need us to supply ur company we have it in excess thanks
I first had this wonderful drink given to me by my long time friend Zexia. I now am able to make it myself, and find it very refreshing, not only at Christmas time, but all year round. I particularly find it soothing when I make a good strong batch with cloves and allspice, and drink it warm if I have a cold or sore throat.
Thank you for the other tips.
C.
[...] http://www.trinigourmet.com/index.php/sorrel-drink/ [...]
I had my first taste of Sorrel on my first trip to Trinidad for Carnival. Outstanding drink! I don’t drink alcohol so I just add sugar. I found all the ingredients here in a neighborhood store except the spice. Not sure what spice is, but was told it is not cinnamon. Is it Mauby bark? Or is it something else?
Priscilla, could the spice be cloves?
[...] Trini Gourmet has a good looking drink recipe made with sorrel and Botanical.com has much more in depth info if you are interested. [...]
Wicked site man. I really like the theme you used. Is it a free one?
You should put a few more ads on your site as you could probably make a lot of money. This is great writing.
Does any one have a good quick, easy way to clean this thing?
Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.
Right now I here at work drinking some ice cold sorrel. My mom send it from Jamaica whenever any family member is coming up… hey Trini….. Its more like a Jmaican thing of all times man. the best thing about…. my sorrel is that I boil it myself.
me always drinkin sorrel an somtimes me fadar does strain the petals and dem and leave them for next time he makin sorrel. i want tah kno if da’s gud or bad or jus real unhelty?
ladiis4lyfe´s last blog ..Ex-Astronaut Pleads Guilty
sorrel can be had at most Korean stores
Nothing unhealthy about it
He’s just trying to get the most for his investment 
One of the nicest naturally flavoured drinks. There is also the WHITE sorrel that makes a clear drink . It is a more prolific bearing tree and disease resistant. Since it is clear it does not look so attractive ,but is stronger and also tastes really great. There is the NEW VARIETY on the market. A very dark red bordering on a blackesh colour. Very thick petals. Bears earlier than the other two varieties. I heard it is from Germany but can’t confirm that.Sells for about $8 to about $15.00 a pound depending on the demand and supply. Makes a very dark red drink. I prefer this one. I cultivate all three varieties. its good fun. mixing them is also good. Hope you all appreciate the information. Need some seeds?
Victorio.
Sorrell . Can be cleaned and frozen fresh. Tastes just as if you now picked them. I have frozen sorrell for over a year. Taste good anytime. In my previous comment i mean Trinidad & Tobago $$. .Anise seed flavour adds real magic to the drink. Victorio . Trinidad.
Dear Victorio thanks so much for sharing your knowledge of these additional varieties. Sounds very interesting. If you have pictures that you would like share I’ll happily turn your comment into a post as I’m sure readers will enjoy seeing them
Of course I’ll credit you! 
Hi Sarina. Happy to see that you appreciate my input. As soon as i get new photos i will make them available to you. I am really surprised that few people even here in Trinidad and Tobago know very little of the other varieties. i am now spreadind the information and giving as much people as i can the seeds for planting. I have even mailed the white variety seeds to a friend in Jamaica. She was really surprised after her harvest. Maybe i mail some seeds to you. . However i will definitely get the photos of the varieties and post them.
Greetings to all . About spices. A common mistake is made as most individuals use the word spice to mean cinamon. However all the following are examples of different types of spices. Nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon,shapport, toncabean,ginger, anisse, etc Cinamon is most common.Its good to experiment with sorrell. Sorrell responds well in taste with any type of spice. The freshly picked or frozen sorrell maintains its flavour 100 %. Dried ones seem to lose some of its flavour ,but its ok since the dried ones can reach people in far off countries where it cannot be grown. I have noticed a marked increase in the supply of the prepacked dried ones in the supermarkets. Good for visitors. Best wishes to all.
Sorrel is a very refreshing drink. i will like to know how do you make a sorrel syrup for snow cones.
Dear Ellie, the key to making a syrup is to increase the ratio of sugar to water. Everything else remains the same. Best Wishes.
The more i learn about the Sorrel flower the more interested I am in it. I've been doing a ton of research on organic ingredients and remedies to replace the commercial drugs on the market now because none of them are 'cures', just painkillers to keep you buying more from the big companies. My family has a long history of high blood pressure and my wife and kids suffer from extreme cases of eczema. my 10 month old son has the worst of it. I've done extensive research on manuka honey also and am planning on making my own remedies using manuka honey and sorrel. This is a great blog and i'm glad i ran across it to experiment with sorrel.
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