Hibiscus and Fruit Punch (Zobo)

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Zobo o Zobo! I did not really drink a lot of this in Nigeria. I was more of a Ribena  girl. If mommy did not make it, I never had it. There is something about this drink that everyone loves. After a short chat with my friends Nelo and Ronke from 9jafoodie I decided to go and try this drink by myself once again. Yes, I have tried it once last year but I could not get anymore leaves so I  postponed making anymore. As with things I have not done a whole lot of, I got confused as to what to do once again. So, I spoke to Ify of eating Nigerian and she told me to basically free style it.

What is Zobo? Zobo is what I would call the Nigerian kool aid which is made from the leaves of the Sorrel /Hibiscus plant. The Jamaicans are also known for this tea. This tea can be made however way one wants to enjoy it i.e. either hot or cold.

The Sorrel has a whole lot of health benefits. It can be used for ailments such as high blood pressure, heart diseases, bad eye sight, body weakness and cough. It can also be used as a diuretic and a laxative.

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The use of the Sorrel leaves is endless. You may make a syrup out of it for pancakes, ice cream, cocktails etc.

I really wish I could make some of this drink everyday and not just for it’s yumminess, but also for it’s health benefits. After reading about the sorrel leaves, I now wish I could have made some for my father (GOD rest his soul)

I have to say my ajebutters enjoyed this drink and the other things I made out of them. Apart from the drink, I did some popsicles, some Zobo colada and some syrup. I remember asking my ajebutter2 if he drank all his “zobo” and he yelled back “yes! I yike (like) it mommy!” and ajebutter 1, she loved the syrup on her ice cream. So, here I am screaming EUREKA!

Now, that we can make some zobo, let us say it has now become a staple drink for my ajebutters an I; and this comes with their approval.

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Here is a recipe for you

5.0 from 1 reviews
Hibiscus and Fruit Punch (Zobo)
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Recipe type: Adapted from 9jafoodie and Eating Nigerian
Cuisine: Drinks and Cock tails
Serves: 10
Ingredients
  • 5cups of water
  • 1 packed cup of sorrel i.e. zobo leaves
  • ½ tsp vanilla(optional)
  • 12 cloves
  • 1cinnamon stick (optional)
  • 1 kiwi(optional)
  • 2 inches of fresh ginger root(washed)
  • 2cups of pineapple juice(or the peel of one pineapple and it's chunks)
  • the peel of 2 large oranges and their juices
  • the juice of half of a lemon
  • sugar or sweeteners to taste
  • wine or any liquor(optional)
Instructions
  1. Bring 5cups of water to a boil and In a sieve, wash the leaves and transfer it into the pot with the boiling water. Drop in the orange peels and ginger and boil on medium heat for another 15 minutes then drain and let it cool. Once cool, add the lemon juice, vanilla, orange juice, drop in the kiwi and stir. Add any sweetener or sugar to taste. Serve chilled or at room temperature. You may even serve it hot like you would tea
Notes
You may include some cloves i.e. Canampari or Kanafuru and the peel of a pineapple along with it's chunks while boiling the Sorrel leaves. You may also substitute the regular sugar with some brown sugar

 

16 comments

  1. Victoria Uchenna Madueke says:

    Get me posted with your other recipies. I love cooking nice food for people to enjoy . My passion for cooking I don’t know how to rate it is so so great. I love all your efforts, keep it up

  2. Chinwe says:

    Orange peels, does realy mean d bak of an unpeeled orange. I undastand wat u mean by pineappl peels nd its chunk bt confused abt orange peels

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