Sorrel Tea
This simple Sorrel Tea recipe, also known as Hibiscus Tea, is perfectly refreshing, deliciously tangy, and packed with citrus flavor. This cold beverage is perfect for summer!
Why This Recipe Stands Out
Here’s why you’ll love this Sorrel Tea Recipe:
- Easy to Make: This recipe requires only a few simple steps, making it super easy and convenient to prepare.
- Great for Gatherings: Sorrel tea is a popular beverage during the holiday season, and this recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for larger gatherings.
- Customizable Sweetness: You can adjust the sweetness of this recipe to your liking by adding more or less sugar.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Dry Sorrel – The star of our recipe, dry sorrel, gives the tea its tart, lemony flavor and a beautiful ruby red color.
- Raw Sugar – We use raw sugar to sweeten the tea, its golden color and molasses undertones complement the tart sorrel beautifully.
- Lemon Juice – Fresh lemon juice not only adds to the tartness of the sorrel but also helps to preserve its vibrant red color.
- Water – Water is the base of our tea, and using boiling hot water instead of room temperature water can make the tea stronger.
Substitutions And Variations
Here are some of our favorite variations and substitutions:
- Use Honey: Instead of sugar, you can sweeten your sorrel tea with honey. It adds a lovely, floral sweetness that complements the tangy sorrel perfectly.
- Add Some Spices: For a festive twist, consider adding some cinnamon sticks, cloves, or a few slices of fresh ginger while the sorrel steeps.
- Mix in Other Juices: Experiment with mixing in other fruit juices. Lime juice, orange juice, or even pineapple juice can add a tropical twist to your sorrel tea.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
Step 1
Wash the sorrel thoroughly and place it in a large pitcher or bowl.
Step 2
Add sugar, lemon juice, and water, and stir until the sugar dissolves.
Step 3
Let it steep for 3 hours, stirring every 30 minutes. Serve over ice and enjoy!
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
Take a look at our favorite prep-ahead tips for this recipe:
- Wash and Rinse: Before you start making your sorrel tea, you can wash and rinse the sorrel leaves three to four times. Then, let them dry completely. This step can be done a day or two before you plan to make the tea.
- Prep the Ingredients: You can also measure out the sugar and lemon juice and have them ready to go in a pitcher or a big plastic bowl. This way, when you’re ready to make the tea, you just need to add the sorrel and water, and let it steep.
- Make Ahead: Sorrel tea can be steep for three hours and stir every 30 minutes. This means you can make it the night before or in the morning and have it ready to enjoy later in the day.
What To Serve With Sorrel Tea
As a Refreshment
- This sorrel tea is delicious on its own, either hot or cold. It’s a great way to stay hydrated and enjoy a flavorful beverage.
- Add a bit of honey or your favorite sweetener to the tea if you prefer a sweeter drink.
With a Meal
- In some Caribbean countries, sorrel tea is traditionally served with Christmas dinner. It pairs well with rich, savory dishes and can help aid in digestion.
- If you’re having a cookout or barbecue, sorrel tea is a great non-alcoholic option that pairs well with grilled meats and veggies.
Frequently Asked Questions
This classic Jamaican drink is made from the sepals of the sorrel plant (Hibiscus sabdariffa). The sepals are the red, fuchsia, or deep magenta-colored structures that protect the plant’s delicate flower.
If the sorrel has an off smell or mold has grown on it, then it has gone bad. Check for any discolorations or slimy texture. If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to discard the sorrel.
The sorrel can be reused for a second batch of tea, but the flavor will be much milder than the first batch. You might also need to adjust the amount of sugar and lemon juice to suit your preferences.
When stored in the refrigerator, sorrel tea can keep for up to a week. Make sure to keep it in an airtight container to maintain its freshness and flavor.
Related Recipes
- Ginger Iced Tea – Nothing beats the heat like a chilled glass of ginger iced tea. It’s a soothing, bold drink with a zesty kick
- Iced Green Tea – You’ll need 5 simple ingredients and a few minutes to make Iced Green Tea and enjoy it all Summer.
- Southern Iced Tea – This refreshing Southern Iced Tea recipe is perfect for getting that Southern sweet tea fix!
- Strawberry Iced Tea – Beating the heat this Summer is easy a refreshing Strawberry Iced Tea. This iced tea instantly lifts you up and quenches your thirst.
Please Review and Rate
If you have tried this Sorrel Tea recipe and liked it, please give it a 5-star rating and leave a comment below with your experience!
Sorrel Iced Tea
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry sorrel
- 1 ½ cup sugar I used raw
- ⅓ cup lemon juice I used fresh
- 7 cup water at room temperature for stronger taste, use boiling hot water instead.
Instructions
- Wash and rinse the sorrel three to four times.
- Add the sorrel, sugar, lemon juice in a pitcher or a big plastic bowl.
- Add water to the previous mixture and mix until the sugar dissolves.
- Let it steep for three hours and stir every 30 minutes.
- Fill your glass with ice, pour this amazing drink and enjoy.
Notes
- Stirring the sorrel tea every 30 minutes while it steeps is important to ensure that all the flavors are well combined.
- For a stronger sorrel flavor, use boiling water. If you prefer a milder flavor, use room tempreature water instead.
- Feel free to adjust the sugar and lemon juice to your personal preference. This will allow you to tailor the sorrel tea to your desired level of sweetness and tartness.
- You can make a large batch of sorrel tea and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. This makes it a convenient and refreshing drink to have on hand.
- Serve your sorrel tea over ice for a truly refreshing beverage. This is perfect for hot summer days or as a special treat any time of the year.
Gorgeous colour! I first thought it was a cocktail…
Hey Angie, thanks a lot 🙂
The perfect summer drink 🙂 I love the health benefits of sorrel but like you said, moderation is the key. I am so loving this! 🙂
Thanks Nagi, sorrel is my best friend now and been giving me energy and keeping me feeling fresh in the Summer 🙂
Hi,popped in here from Nagi’s blog. We make this in my country Nigeria, we call it zobo.We boil the leaves with ginger and pineapple. If the pineapple is much it can also act as the sweetner if not we add sugar or honey ,we also add lemon or vanilla for flavour then refrigerate it. It’s delicious served cold. I will also try your method.
Hi Talla, Thanks a lot for stopping by 🙂 … Your version sounds amazing, I have to give it a try for sure!