What Jamaican beverage is made from the dried calyces of the sorrel plant and is popular at Christmas?

Jamaican sorrel drink is made from the dried calyces of the sorrel plant and is popular at Christmas.

The plant is Hibiscus sabdariffa, known in Jamaica and much of the Caribbean as sorrel. The deep red calyces are steeped with boiling water, then combined with sugar and spices such as ginger, cloves, cinnamon, or pimento. Some adult versions include rum or wine, while nonalcoholic versions are standard for family occasions.

Sorrel drink became part of Jamaican Christmas food culture through a combination of African, Caribbean, and colonial influences. Its vivid color and tart flavor make it a familiar feature of holiday meals, parties, and street sales.

The beverage is related to hibiscus drinks found across Africa and the Americas, but names differ by region. It should not be confused with European sorrel, an entirely different leafy herb used for its sour flavor.