Sorrel Sweet Tea

Cheers to Warm Weather

Sorrel is one of those ingredients that connects so much of the African diaspora. Whether it's Jamaican sorrel, Ghanaian sobolo, Senegalese bissap, or hibiscus drinks found across the Caribbean and beyond, this tart, floral ingredient has traveled and evolved for generations.

For this recipe, I'm giving it a Southern twist by blending it with another classic, sweet tea to make my sorrel Sweet Tea, a refreshing summer drink that brings together a few of my favorite diaspora flavors.

Ingredients

• 1½ cups dried hibiscus (sorrel) leaves

• 4 cups brewed black tea (hot)

• 4 whole allspice berries

• ½ tsp whole cloves

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 1 small orange, washed and sliced

• 2 thumbs fresh ginger, crushed

Brown Sugar Syrup

• 2 cups brown sugar

• 1 cup water

• ¾ cup fresh lime juice

For Serving

• Ginger beer (use a strong grands like Reeds)

• Orange wheels for garnish

  Instructions

1. Add hibiscus leaves to a large heatproof pitcher or pot. Pour hot black tea over the hibiscus, then add allspice berries, cloves, cinnamon sticks, orange slices, and crushed ginger. Stir to combine.

   • 1½ cups dried hibiscus (sorrel) leaves

   • 4 cups brewed black tea (hot)

   • 4 whole allspice berries

   • ½ tsp whole cloves

   • 2 cinnamon sticks

   • 1 small orange, washed and sliced

   • 2 thumbs fresh ginger, crushed

2. Cover and let steep overnight at room temperature.

3. To make the brown sugar syrup, combine brown sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until fully dissolved. Remove from heat, stir in lime juice, and let cool completely.

   • 2 cups brown sugar

   • 1 cup water

   • ¾ cup fresh lime juice

     

4. Strain the sorrel mixture through a fine mesh strainer, discarding all solids.

5. Add brown sugar syrup to the strained sorrel a little at a time, tasting as you go, until it’s as sweet as you like it - i personally use about 80% of the syrup.

6. To serve, fill each glass ¾ of the way with the sorrel concentrate, top with ginger beer, and garnish with an orange wheel. Serve over ice.

   • Ginger beer

   • Orange wheels for garnish

     

Hope you enjoy!

Xx

Roti

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