Try this healthy zobo or sorrel drink, perfectly sweetened with a sugar-free sweetener so you can enjoy this delicious drink, without feeling guilty!
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Reasons to Love
- This is a much healthier version of the traditional Sorrel (Zobo) recipe since it uses a low-carb and sugar-free sweetener, which does not spike blood sugar. While you can use regular sugar to make it, I highly recommend that you try this version.
- It is refreshing and delicious.
- It is easy to prepare and packed with loads of health benefits!
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What is Sorrel Drink or Zobo?
Sorrel drink is a dark red drink made from the petals of the Roselle plant or hibiscus plant flower. It is quite popular in Africa, South East Asia and the Caribbean. It also goes by many names such as Jamaican flower or Agua de Flor de Jamaica. In Nigeria, for example, it is commonly known as Zobo or Zoborodo and it is known as Bissap in Benin.
How does Sorrel Drink Taste?
Sorrel or Zobo has a citrusy taste, almost like a mix of raspberry and orange juice. To cut off the tangy taste, Sorrel drink is usually sweetened with sugar. In Jamaica, it is normally made around the Christmas period (the same way eggnog is served around Christmas time). It is also a great summer drink, especially when served chilled. Different Islands in the Caribbean have their own recipe variation of the Sorrel drink (mostly by the use of different spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger). Some recipes also involve the use of rum.
Are Hibiscus and Sorrel the same?
The two are not the same and have the following main differences:
- Hibiscus also known as (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is a perennial woody based herb with a stout, fleshy calyx and bright red petals (the petals attain the bright red colour upon maturity, they normally have a cream colour before maturing). This is what is used to make the Zobo or Caribbean Sorrel Drink.
- Sorrel also known as garden sorrel or common sorrel is a herby perennial herb with green edible leaves, almost similar to young mangold. The leaves are normally blended in soups or used in salads.
Is Sorrel Drink good for you?
Hibiscus Tea, Zobo or Jamaican Sorrel Drink has numerous health benefits some of which include:-
- Helps sink blood pressure - Sorrel drink has blood pressure sinking properties. A study conducted on pre and mildly hypertensive adults aged between 30 and 70 years old suggested that daily consumption of hibiscus tea could aid in lowering blood pressure in pre and mildly hypertensive adults.
- Another study showed that the consumption of Hisbiscus sabdariffa assists lower cholesterol by lowering LDL-C and triglycerides. Hibiscus sabdariffa also has anti-oxidant properties and assists impede atherosclerosis thereby contributing to cardiac health.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need please to make this Sorrel drink recipe.
- Hibiscus petals - you can use fresh or dried sepals. You can buy hibiscus sepals in most African, Caribbean and Asian stores. The dried petals are also available online, on stores such as Amazon.
- Some water - this is the base of the drink.
- Ginger - gives it a slight kick and some wonderful flavour. Ginger also has amazing health properties. Research data indicate that ginger and its components accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract, thereby supporting observations of ginger’s effectiveness as an anti-nausea agent and as a potential colon cancer-preventing compound.
- Some orange peel - The orange peel is what gives the Sorrel drink its lovely aroma and fresh, summer,citrus-based taste.
- A Low-carb sweetener - Traditionally, Sorrel drink or Zobo is sweetened with sugar. This is a healthier version of the otherwise normally sugar-sweetened drink and uses monk fruit sweetener which is both paleo, low carb and keto suitable. Additionally, Monk fruit sweetener remains stable at high temperatures, making it great for baking and cooking. Other low carb sweeteners such as erythritol are also okay to use.
- Cinnamon sticks - also give the drink a lovely aroma and flavour.
- Star anise - is another spice that is totally optional but that I certainly recommend.
How to Make
Here is how to make this healthy Zobo or Sorrel drink recipe. You can make it using the stovetop or your Instant Pot as follows:-
Stovetop Method:
- Wash the hibiscus leaves, drain and set this aside. Proceed to wash the orange and peel it. This recipe only uses the rind so it is better to use good quality, uncontaminated oranges. Roughly slice the ginger, it is not necessary to peel it.
- Add water to a medium-sized pot and allow it to come to a boil then add the monk fruit sweetener. Reduce the heat to medium, stir and allow to dissolve. Add the hibiscus leaves, ginger, orange peel, cinnamon sticks, and star anise (optional). Cover and allow to simmer for 30 minutes, stirring from time to time.
- Once done, use a strainer or a piece of cheesecloth to sieve the liquid into a bowl or another pot. If using a cheesecloth, squeeze again to get as liquid as possible. Taste and add more sweetener if desired. Allow it to cool. Once cool, pop it in the refrigerator to chill. To serve, fill glasses with ice and pour the chilled Zorrel drink on top. Serve chilled and enjoy.
Instant Pot Method
- Wash the hibiscus leaves by immersing them in a bowl full of water. Allow them about a minute then rinse and strain.
- Add water to the inner bowl of the Instant Pot and the rinsed hibiscus leaves, ginger, orange peel, monk fruit sweetener, cinnamon sticks orange peel, and star anise.
- LOCK the lid of the Instant Pot and adjust the nozzle to SEAL. Adjust the settings of the Instant Pot to PRESSURE COOK or MANUAL and set the time to 10 minutes on HIGH then 10 minutes NATURAL PRESSURE RELEASE.
- Once all the pressure has been released, use a strainer or a piece of cheesecloth to sieve the drink into a bowl. If using a cheesecloth, squeeze as much as possible to get in all the delicious goodness.
- Chill then serve in glasses over some ice cubes.
Useful Recipe Tips
- For a more intense flavour, allow the Sorrel drink to refrigerate overnight. This allows the spices to blend with the hibiscus.
- The longer the drink boils, the more intense the flavour will be. Boil the ingredients for a shorter period of time (about 15 minutes) if you prefer a much less intense flavour.
- Use less water for a more concentrated flavour. The more concentrated the drink, the tangier it will be. To dilute, simply add more water.
- You can spice your Zobo drink or Caribbean Sorrel in so many ways. Other popular spices include black pepper, nutmeg or allspice berries. You can also use pineapple, lime or lemon peels.
Storage
You can make this Low Carb Sorrel Drink or Zobo ahead and store it in the fridge for 3-5 days. To store it for longer, simply transfer it to bottles and store it in the freezer. It will keep in the freezer for up to one year.
More Recipes To Love
- Jamaican Steamed Cabbage Recipe
- Paleo Carrot and Ginger Juice
- 7 Best Ever Keto Meatloaf Recipes
- Easy Keto Cinnamon Muffins
I got the inspiration to make a low carb version of this drink from Tayo at Low Carb Africa.
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📖 Recipe
Zobo or Sorrel Drink Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried hibiscus leaves
- 10 cups water
- ½ piece ginger (roughly sliced)
- 1 pineapple (roughly chopped)
- 1 peel of an orange
- ½ cup monk fruit sweetener (optional) (or regular sugar).
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 3 star anise (optional)
Instructions
- Wash the hibiscus leaves, drain and set aside. Proceed to wash the orange and peel it. This recipe only uses the rind so it is better to use good quality, uncontaminated oranges.
- Roughly slice the ginger, it is not necessary to peel it.
- Add water to a medium-sized pot and allow it to come to a boil then add the monk fruit sweetener. Reduce the heat to medium, stir and allow to dissolve.½ cup monk fruit sweetener (optional), 10 cups water
- Add the chopped pineapple, hibiscus leaves, ginger, orange peel, cinnamon sticks, and star anise (optional). Cover and allow to simmer for 30 minutes, stirring from time to time.2 cups dried hibiscus leaves, ½ piece ginger, 1 peel of an orange, 3 cinnamon sticks, 3 star anise, 1 pineapple
- Once done, use a strainer or a piece of cheesecloth to sieve the bissap juice into a bowl or another pot. If using a cheesecloth, squeeze again to get as liquid as possible. Taste and add more sweetener if desired.
- Allow it to cool. Once cool, pop it in the refrigerator to chill. To serve, fill glasses with ice and pour the chilled Zobo drink on top. Serve cold, and enjoy.
Notes
- For a more intense flavour, allow your Zobo to refrigerate overnight. This allows the spices to blend with the hibiscus.
- The longer the drink boils, the more intense the flavour will be. Boil the ingredients for a shorter period of time (about 15 minutes) if you prefer a much less intense flavour. Also, for a more concentrated flavour, use the pineapple peels during the boiling stage.
- Use less water for a more concentrated flavour. The more concentrated the drink, the tangier it will be. To dilute, simply add more water.
- The nutritional information below is based on the nutritional information for Hibiscus tea provided by the United States Department of Agriculture. Zero calories and zero net carbs are calculated for the monk fruit sweetener.
- You can spice your Zobo drink or Caribbean Sorrel in so many ways. Other popular spices include black pepper, nutmeg or allspice berries. You can also use pineapple, lime or lemon peel.
Herbert
Thanks for the recipe, let me try it out.
Kate Hahnel
Hello, thanks very much!! I hope you will love it as much as we do!
jenisha
Looks delicious and healthy..
JENY| https://jenyscloset.wixsite.com/jenyscloset/blog