Jamaican Sorrel-Country Style

Ingredients

Serves 4

2 lbs Sorrel fruit

2 lbs of ginger

5 tbsp sugar

3 litres of water

2 tbsp. White Rum (e.g. Wray & Nephew Overproof)

Additional spices

 1 tsp cloves

 5-10 whole pimento seeds

 1/3 cup raw/uncooked white rice grains (Helps with fermentation and flavour)

 1 tbsp orange peel

 1 tbsp lemon peel

 Optional alcohol

 Wine

 Sherry

 Rum

Method

1.       Grate the ginger.

2.       Add the ginger, sorrel and water to a pot and rapidly bring to the boil.

3.       Add your preferred combination of additional ingredients (except rice grains) to the mixture. You will probably need to experiment with these ingredients until you find the combination which is perfect for you.

4.       Allow the mixture to boil for 10 minutes.

5.       Take the mixture off the heat. Leave out to cool at room temperature

6.       Once cool, pour mixture over rice grains and place in the fridge for 24 hours or longer. The longer the drink ferments is the richer the flavour you’ll get.

7.       After 24 hours, take the mixture out of the fridge and strain.

8.        Stir in the sugar and rum (the rum helps to preserve the drink). If you wish you can add some wine, sherry or additional rum at this stage.

Serve with ice.