Jamaican Sorrel Soda

Jamaican sorrel soda is a traditional Jamaican carbonated drink consisting of sweetened hibiscus tea with added ginger.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (240 ml) water
• 3 hibiscus (roselle) tea bags or 3 tsp (15 ml) dried hibiscus
• 6 ea. ¼ in (0.67 cm) cubes of ginger (optional)
• ½ cup (120 ml) white sugar
• Carbonated water, as needed

Procedure

1. Combine the water, hibiscus, and ginger in a pot. Boil for about 15 minutes.
2. Remove and discard the hibiscus and ginger.
3. Stir the sugar into the liquid, and simmer until you have about 5 oz (150 ml) syrup.
4. Remove from the heat and let cool.
5. To make the finished soda, mix 1 volume of syrup with 5 volumes of sparkling water.

Notes, tips, and variations

• Use water from a carbonating machine or a brand of pure carbonated water such as Polar Original Sparkling Water, Great Value Seltzer Water, or Signature Select Seltzer Water. Do not use a brand of mineral water such as Perrier, San Pellegrino, or Mineragua because the added minerals will ruin the taste. Avoid flavored sparkling water such as La Croix or Spindrift because the preexisting fruit flavors will ruin the drink.