The Christmas holidays are about traditions.

We may not know the history of the traditions we keep.  Yet, we maintain their practice because to do anything else seems sacrilegious. So, every year, we engage in certain activities simply because they have been passed down to us.

Preparing sorrel is one such tradition. Christmas is not the same for many without an ice-cold glass of the thirst-quenching, dark red beverage.

We forget the tedium and hazard of removing the stiff red petals from its prickly, green seed.  We also forget that it leaves red stains on our fingers—why didn’t they teach us to use gloves? 

Thankfully, we now have the option of purchasing deseeded and dried sorrel petals. The fact is, for sorrel-lovers, all is forgotten in the face of upholding this long-held practice and consuming what is considered a Christmas must-have beverage.

Whether you choose to go old-school or go the more convenient route of the dried buds, why not try a new approach? For this instalment of Christmas Recipes from around the Caribbean series, we offer a sorrel drink recipe borrowed from the island of Dominica.

A Dominican sorrel drink recipe

Ingredients

1 lb sorrel (deseeded)

4 ½ cups water

2 tsp grated ginger

4 cloves

1 tsp cinnamon powder (or a cinnamon stick)

Sugar to taste

Method

In a large pot, add sorrel, water, cinnamon and ginger. After 10 minutes of boiling, add the cloves, and leave to boil for another 10 minutes. Remove from heat, and let stand with the pot covered for 30 minutes.

Strain and sweeten with white sugar to taste. Bottle and refrigerate.

Serve chilled.

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Now, you’re all set!  This holiday, bring a bit of the region into your home. You can treat your family and friends to Guyanese black cake or Dominican sorrel.

To pick up ingredients for either recipe, search your Findyello supermarket and grocers-retail listing to find a supermarket near you.

Our recipes do not stop here. Join us as we will head down to Grenada for our culinary escapade.  Does your country have a recipe that you would like to share?  We want to hear it. Drop us a comment on Facebook or Instagram.  

From us to you, happy holidays!