Everything Sorrel: 10+ Enticing Hibiscus Products Celebrating the Essence of the Caribbean
Originally published December 19th. Updated December 20th 2024, 12:55 am.
Sorrel, also known as hibiscus sabdariffa, is a vibrant red flower popular in Caribbean cuisine. Its tangy, slightly tart flavor is the star of many holiday traditions, particularly in beverages enjoyed during Christmas. Packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, and a unique flavor profile, sorrel has gained popularity beyond the Caribbean, inspiring a range of innovative products from U.S.-based Caribbean brands.
Here’s a look at 10+ standout sorrel-based products that highlight the versatility and cultural significance of this cherished ingredient.
1. Hibiscus Brew Sorrel
Drawing from her Jamaican roots and her passion for creating unique and refreshing beverages led Jamaican American Founder Allison Dunn to embark on a journey to craft the perfect hibiscus/sorrel beverage. Her love for tea and her fascination with the hibiscus flower inspired her to create a beverage that was both tasty and nourishing. She sources the brand’s hibiscus flowers from trusted farmers. She also uses organic ingredients and eco-friendly packaging, as part of her commitment to create a product that is not only good for consumption, but also for the planet.
Website: https://hibiscusbrew.co/
Social: @hibiscusbrew
2. Hibiscus Ginger Tea | Caribbean Dreams USA
Caribbean Dreams creates a soothing herbal tea blend featuring sorrel and ginger. Perfect for a warm, calming drink, it also reflects the healthful qualities of traditional Caribbean remedies.
Website: Shop via Amazon
Social: @caribbeandreams
3. Sorrel Rum Sorbet | Island Pops
The Brooklyn-based Trinidadian-owned ice cream shop begins their sorrel rum sorbet by steeping dried petals of the hibiscus flower in boiling water. They traditionally add cinnamon and cloves to the brewed tea and top it all off with Caribbean dark rum. This combination makes for a bold and intense flavor that is truly reminiscent of Christmas in the islands!
Website: https://www.islandpops.com/
Social: @islandpopsny
4. Sorrel Ginger Beer | Uncle Waithley’s
Uncle Waithley’s is not your ordinary ginger beer. Its proud founder Karl Franz Williams—whose grandfather cultivated ginger on St. Vincent and crafted delectable ginger beer—wanted to launch a fresh, unique mixer to use in bars he owns in New York and Connecticut. So he decided to “spice things up” by adding scotch bonnet, a pepper common throughout the Caribbean and prized for its heat and sweet flavor. Other recipe ingredients include turmeric and fresh lime.
Website: https://www.unclewaithleys.com/
Social: @unclewaithleys
5. Sorrel & Cerasee Soap | TERRA-TORY
By blending their nourishing TERRA-TORY soap base with steeped hibiscus flowers and cerassee leaves, the brand created a symphony of antioxidants and moisturizing goodness that your skin will thank you for.
Website: https://terra-tory.com/
Social: @terra-tory
6. Sorel Liqueur
Sorel Liqueur comes from a long history and unique culture. In 1920, the maternal grandparents of Jack Summers, the creator of Sorel Liqueur, emigrated from Barbados to Brooklyn. They brought with them their cultural traditions and their knowledge of sorel-based recipes. They pass this information down to their daughter, who passed it to Jack. In 2010, Jackie Summers quit a decades-long career in corporate America after an ordeal with a spinal tumor. He went on to create the first shelf-stable version of Sorel Liqueur, and he opened a microbrewery to produce the spirit called Jack From Brooklyn in 2012.
Website: https://sorelofficial.com/
Social: @sorelliquer
7. Sorrel & Ginger Seamoss | Lovers Rock Seamoss
Lovers Rock Sea Moss founded by Jamaican-American Rich Williams is a superfood that aids in combating illness primarily caused by environmental inequalities, discriminatory healthcare practices, and the lack of healthy food options that often plague Black & Brown neighborhoods.
Website: https://loversrockseamoss.com/
Social: @loversrockseamoss
8. Sorrel Pepper Jelly | Perfect Peppers
Discover the heat of the Caribbean with Perfect Peppers, a one-stop destination for delicious spicy preserves and spices straight from the heart of Trinidad. From fiery salts to delectable pepper jams and jellies, the brand has something to offer everyone. Explore their collection and you’re sure to embark on a flavorful journey experiencing a perfect blend of tradition, taste, and heat. With their sorrel pepper jelly, they use all natural fruits, sorrel, and ginger to create an amazing sweet/heat combination that feels like a perfection addition to almost any food including chicken, fish, pork, beef, vegetables, sandwiches and salads.
Website: Shop Via Caribshopper
9. Sorrel Robe | Melda Moda
Slip into this unique sorrel-inspired number - the Sorrel Robe from Melda Moda. The robe is crafted from 100% sustainable viscose fibers obtained from certified renewable wood sources and features a hand painted interpretation of the dried hibiscus used to make a beverage known as sorrel. O, they also made a matching sorrel bonnet as well!
Website: https://meldamoda.com/
Social Media: @meldamoda
10. Sorrel Pepper Sauce | CaribShopper
Scarlet Caterers Sorrel Pepper Sauce adds a distinctive, tasty flavor your food. It offers a potent blend of heat and sweet with a slightly tart finish.
The NJ-based brand’s 16oz size makes it easy to add just the right amount of flavor to any dish.
Website: Shop Via Caribshopper.com
Social Media: @scarlet.caterers
11. Sorrel + Blackcake Candle | EverythingChriss
Sorrel and black cake is the ultimate Jamaican holiday pairing. Inspired by the bold, vibrant flavors of a traditional Jamaican holiday drink, and the rum-soaked fruits of Jamaican black (rum/fruit) fragrant cake, this candle captures the essence of fresh sorrel with warm accents of ginger, cinnamon, vanilla and cloves, creating a tropical fragrance that fills your space with the inviting spirit of the Caribbean.
Website: https://everythingchriss.square.site/
Social: @everythingchrissdotcom
12. SoReal Sorrel Sangria
This traditional Guyanese sorrel spirit is made from hand-picked hibiscus flowers, wine and rum, and blended with aromatic spices. It’s prepared with fresh with organic ingredients and boasts a ginger-rich blend that brings the warmth of the tropics to your glass.
Website: https://realsorrel.com/
Social: @sorealsangria
Sorrel’s rise in U.S. markets reflects the growing appreciation for Caribbean flavors and traditions. These products not only showcase the ingredient’s versatility but also connect consumers to the rich culture and heritage of the islands.
Whether enjoyed as a drink, condiment, or dessert, sorrel’s unique flavor continues to captivate taste buds while preserving the traditions of Caribbean communities. So next time you’re exploring Caribbean-inspired goods, don’t miss the chance to try one of these innovative sorrel-based products!