Sweet And Spicy Hibiscus Martini (Sorrel Martini)

If you’re looking for a zesty Caribbean cocktail that’s delicious but not too sweet, look no further than this Sorrel Martini! The slightly tart flavor of the sorrel combines with fiery ginger and zesty Aperol, which come together to pay the perfect complement to the floral taste of the gin.

  

Sorrel is a staple ingredient in the Caribbean, and the sorrel drink used to create this martini is particularly popular in the winter months and at Christmas time.

Sorrel Martini is the perfect accompaniment to a cold winter evening; the warming floral flavors are a great pick-me-up!

The sorrel used in this Sorrel Martini is also called Hibiscus, characterized by its bright red color and gorgeous zesty flavor of the hibiscus flowers. It’s not to be confused with the other kind of Sorrel, which is green, leafy, and better used in savory dishes.

Hibiscus Martini is fabulous if you’ve served a Caribbean-inspired meal and you’re looking for the perfect drink to round it off! It is a tart cocktail that is perfect to have while sitting out on the patio with friends.

It’s nothing like any other cocktail you’ve tasted, so it’s an excellent choice for those of you who are looking to try something new. A delicious hibiscus cocktail.

If you’re inspired to try other sorrel-infused drinks, you will love this Sorrel rum punch. With a similar zesty flavor to a Sorrel Martini, the taste of the Sorrel rum punch is deepened by the rum and is such a refreshing beverage.

What is sorrel?

Sorrel, otherwise known as Hibiscus, is a colorful flowering plant native to Africa.

It’s used in a lot of Caribbean cooking, as it brings vibrant color to any dish that you put it in and has a zesty and slightly sour flavor, which lends itself well to sweet and savory dishes alike. If you want to try cooking with Sorrel, these sticky sorrel BBQ wings are delicious!

All parts of the sorrel plant can be used in cooking, including flowers, stems, and leaves. It can come dried, powdered, or even as a liquid extract when you buy it. I like to use dried sorrel as it gives you the deep flavor that you need to make an exceptional Sorrel Martini.

Sorrel also has a lot of health benefits. It’s been used for centuries in traditional medicine and herbal teas.

What are the benefits of sorrel?

In traditional medicine, sorrel has been used for centuries to lower blood pressure, reduce high cholesterol, and as a diuretic. It’s also often used as a decoration because it’s such a beautiful plant.

It’s not just traditional medicine that understands the benefits of sorrel, either. Recent studies support the idea that sorrel is effective in lowering blood pressure, helps with weight loss and may even help prevent cancer.

Raw sorrel contains a lot of beneficial nutrients, including:

• Calcium (essential for your bones and teeth, as well as blood clotting and heart rhythms).
• Potassium (helps blood pressure and prevents kidney stones).
• Magnesium (supports muscle function and energy production).
• Vitamin B (for brain function and metabolism).
• Vitamin C (essential for immune system function and helps your body absorb iron.

Sorrel drink or tea is lower in these nutrients than raw sorrel, but it still contains many beneficial nutrients, so it’s a worthwhile addition to your diet!

Ingredients

To make this Hibiscus Martini, you will need:

  

• Gin - I like to use Harry Blu’s Gin because it has a lovely flowery taste that complements the sorrel.
• Aperol.
• Sorrel Drink - see instructions below.
• Ginger simple syrup - instructions below.

Sorrel drink

You can use my recipe for sorrel drink, or follow these simple steps to make it:

• Begin by adding three tablespoons of dried sorrel leaves to 2oz of hot water.
• Leave the leaves to steep in the water until cool.

Ginger simple syrup

To make ginger simple syrup:

• Boil ¼ cup sugar and ¼ cup water until the sugar has dissolved.
• Add ¼ cup sliced fresh ginger and allow to simmer for 4 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and steep until cool.
• Strain mixture before using.

Preparation

Sorrel Martini is super simple to make!

• Pour all of your ingredients into a cocktail shaker to give it a dry shake.
• If you want your martini cold, put it in the shaker with ice cubes.
• Give everything a good shake.
• Pour and garnish with dried sorrel leaves.

  

Notes

• If you don’t have a martini shaker, you can improvise! For example, a mason jar with a secure lid works well, a highball glass, or a travel coffee cup - really anything that you can shake without any of the liquid escaping!

• If you want to make more martinis, you can double the quantities, and if less, you can halve it.

Substitutions

• Try making your martini with vodka instead if you don't like gin. You will end up with a flavor that is cleaner and less floral.
• If you don’t have any Aperol, you can use Campari instead. Campari has a more intense flavor than Aperol, which some people like!
• If you fancy an alcohol-free cocktail, you can try replacing the gin with a splash of tonic water and a squeeze of lemon juice.
• If you don't have any dried sorrel, then you can also use hibiscus tea bags and steep them with little water.
• If you think it's too tart after making it, use some superfine sugar to add some sweetness.

How to serve Sorrel Martini

Sorrel Martini looks fantastic in a traditionally styled martini glass, with a few dried hibiscus flowers sprinkled over the top for garnish.

You could also add a slice of orange or ginger (or both) or even a fresh mint sprig to the glass to make it extra special.

Storing

To store your Hibiscus Martini, pour it into an airtight container and put it in the fridge. It will keep for a few days.

  

More sorrel recipes

If you want to try more recipes with sorrel, I can help!

This Sorrel (Hibiscus) BBQ sauce is fantastic as a dipping sauce when you’re serving chips or wings, or you can use it as a marinade to make your BBQ extra special! Try it with chicken, ribs, or even tofu for a meal that will impress the whole family.

Dish It With Tisha has also created these incredible Sorrel Martini popsicles, just perfect for those days when you need to cool down!

Here are some great appetizers to pair with these drinks:

• Bahamian conch fritters
• Curry chickpeas
• Sweet potato fish cakes
• Chicken balls
• Stuffed potato balls