Home Made Zobo Drink.
Zobo is one drink that not only do I love but also brings back memories. Memories of growing up in Nigeria- I'd usually have this drink on my way back from school with friends, in the scorching sun! It was just the perfect drink. Some days, we will have it with a street snack such as puff puff, buns or stick meat. Ah this makes me smile as I write this! ☺️
Anyways, I still enjoy this drink now from time to time but most especially when the Sun is out and the weather gets warmer here in the UK. It's very easy and quick to make and definitely a drink that should be on your menu at your next BBQ party or just for yourself to enjoy!
This drink is common and called different names in West Africa amongst Nigerians (Zobo), Ghanaians(Sobolo), Senegalese (Bissap) and even in the Caribbean as well(Sorrel). But this recipe is more of the Nigerian recipe. All the recipes are similar, the difference is just variations of ingredients. For example the Ghanian recipe includes more spices such as chilli and Grains of Selim. I'm yet to try this but when I do and if I like it I will share the recipe. Right lets get into the Nigerian Zobo recipe!.
Recipe
Ingredients
-200g Hibiscus leaves
-1 whole pineapple
-1 tbsp cloves
-2 oranges
-Sugar or honey; to your taste (I used about 10 tbsp for mine)
-1 inch ginger
-1 cinnamon stick
-Water
To garnish/style:
- 1 Lemon
-1 Lime
Equipment
-Pot
-Bowl
-Wooden spoon
-Knife
-Chopping board
-Strainer
-Colander
-Bottles or Jugs (depending on the occasion) to store up the drink
-Blender
-Grinder/ Coffee Mill
Process
1) Pour the hibiscus leaves in the bowl and rinse with cold water. Do this for 3 to 4 times. This is to wash away the sand particles- you will see this settle at the bottom of the bowl when rinsing off.
2) Peel the pineapple- keep the skin as it is needed. Cut the pineapple into chunks and set aside.
3) Peel the ginger and rinse.
4) In the blender, blend together the pineapple & ginger
5)In the Grinder/Coffee Mill, grind the cloves into powder form.
6) Cut the oranges, peel off the skin and also take out the seed. You don't want to use the orange with the skin and seeds on because it will give the drink a bitter taste.
7) Pour the hibiscus into the pot. Add the pineapple skin, blended pineapple/ginger mix, grounded cloves, oranges, sugar (to your taste) and cinnamon stick. Then add enough water to cover all the ingredients. Stir altogether with the wooden spoon. Then add a bit more water.
8) Bring to boil for about 20 minutes. Whilst boiling, stir it altogether to allow the ingredients mix well.
9) After boiling, leaving it too cool down for a few minutes .
10) Place the colander on top of a bowl, pour the liquid from the pot into it. The colander will hold any bits from pouring into the bowl. After all the liquid is poured out from the pot, pour the bits back into the pot.
11)If you want to get more liquid, add water into the pot with the bits then mix together with the wooden spoon and then repeat step 10 again. But note, because you're adding more water, it might become less sweet, so add more sugar if need be.
12) In another bowl, place the sieve on top of it. Then pour the liquid in. This is to sieve out pulp from the liquid as well.
13) Pour in your desired containers/bottles (I recycle my wine bottles for this!). Leave to completely cool down. Put in the refrigerator to make it colder or serve with ice cubes and enjoy!
Check out the reels section of my Instagram page for a quick video showing the process here.
Any questions, feel free to send an email or message on any of my social media platform.