Zobo drink
Nostalgia is the word when it comes to Zobo, I fondly remember my mum making a big pot and we just couldn’t wait for it to cool down before getting a taste. Zobo is made from hibiscus tea leaves and its not only delicious but its packed with antioxidants and vitamins. Can you tell I’m blooming with excitement? Let’s dive into it.
What is Zobo?
Zobo or Hibiscus tea is prepared from the dried calyces of the hibiscus flower. It is naturally tart with a vibrant red color. Zobo can be as sweet or as tart depending on personal preference and can be infused with fruits, making it a very versatile drink.
One drink, different names
While the base of the drink is similar in most preparations- hibiscus and sweeteners, different regions have different names for this versatile drink.
In Nigeria, it is often infused with pineapple and served cold while in Egypt and the Middle East, hibiscus is enjoyed as a hot beverage known as Karkade.
Mexicans refer to as it as Agua de Jamaica, best enjoyed cold while the Ghanians love their Sobolo infused with ginger.
Main Ingredients and Substitutions
- Zobo Leaves (Hibiscus Tea Leaves): These can be found online or in supermarkets (usually cleaned and pre-packaged ). It can also be found in open markets. Be sure to rinse the zobo leaves to get rid of sand and dirt if it doesn’t come pre-cleaned.
- Pineapple: The skin and juice of the pineapple adds a fresh taste and sweetens the drink. Pineapple is best to boost the natural flavour of zobo drink however, if you would rather skip it due to availability, preference or allergies you can use any other fruit such as apples or oranges. This would alter the taste of the traditional zobo but also give it a unique flavor profile. You can also use packaged pineapple juice if you don’t have fresh pineapples.
- Ginger: Ginger enhances Zobo drink by adding a spicy flavor, while also providing digestive aid, anti-inflammatory properties, and an immune boost. If you don’t have fresh ginger, you can use ground ginger or ginger powder, but the flavor will be less potent. You can skip it altogether if ginger isn’t your thing.
- Cinnamon Stick: Cinnamon adds a warm, sweet and distinct flavor to Zobo drink, enhancing its overall taste while also offering health benefits. You can use ground cinnamon if you don’t have cinnamon sticks. Alternatively, nutmeg or allspice can provide a different flavor profile.
- Cloves: Cloves add a strong and aromatic flavor to Zobo drink. If you don’t have whole cloves, you can use ground cloves. You can also skip cloves altogether if you’re not big on flavors.
- Sweetener: Sweeteners in Zobo drink, such as sugar, honey, agave syrup, stevia, or blended dates, balance the tartness of hibiscus leaves and enhance the overall flavor. You can skip altogether if you don’t have a sweet tooth.
Make it your own
Classic Zobo: served cold or over ice
As a fancy tea: bring out your inner Bridgeton and serve as a hot beverage infused with ginger or mint. A slice of lemon would add a zesty feel!
Popsicles or Ice pops (Kids favorite): bring out the ol’ popsicle mold or food grade ice pop sleeves, pour in your sweetened Zobo mix and freeze for a refreshing popsicle that kids love.
Carbonated Zobo: mix the strained Zobo with sparkling water or club soda when serving for that fizz!
Feel free to experiment by adding other fruits like orange, cucumber, or apple slices for additional flavors. You can also explore fresh mint or basil for a herbal note that compliments the drink.
Why You’ll Love This Zobo Drink
Health Benefits: Hibiscus tea is known for helping lower blood pressure, boosting liver health, and is packed with essential vitamins.
Versatile Flavor: The ginger, cinnamon, and cloves add a nice warmth and depth.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re having party, or just chilling, this Zobo drink is sure to bang!
Now that you have this refreshing Zobo drink recipe, it’s time to gather your ingredients and get cooking.
Feel free to share your own unique twists, I’d love to see your recreations!
watch how to make it
Ingredients
- 2 cups Zobo leaves hibiscus tea leaves
- 1 ripe pineapple
- Ginger thumb- sized
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tbsp of cloves
- 12 cups water
- ½ sugar
Instructions
- Peel the your cleaned pineapple(see note 1 on how to clean your pineapple) saving the peels for the zobo mix.
- Peel and slice the ginger thinly to release its flavor.
- In a large pot, add cleaned Zobo leaves (see note 2 on how to clean the leaves) and enough water (about 12 cups), the pineapple peel, sliced ginger, cinnamon stick, and cloves. Bring to a boil.
- After 20minutes, reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer for about 30 minutes. This will allow the flavors marinate.
- While the mixture is simmering, chop the pineapple and juice. You can also use a blender to extract the pineapple juice (see note 3)
- After simmering, remove the pot from heat and let it cool slightly. Using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, strain the mixture into a large pitcher. Discard the solids or save it for another batch.
- At this point, add your pineapple juice and 1/2 cup of sugar and taste. If you prefer it sweeter, adjust to suit your preference in small increments. You can also use (honey, date syrup, or zero calorie sweeteners like stevia, etc) to sweeten.
- Be sure to add the sweeteners while your Zobo is still warm to enable them dissolve completely in the mixture.
Notes
- To clean your zobo leaves, immerse the leaves in large bowl of water to allow the sand sink to the bottom. Scoop up the floating zobo leaves ensuring to pick out any sticks or dirt. Repeat the process 1-3 times as necessary until clean.
- To prepare the pineapple, fill a large bowl and add a generous splash of vinegar(about half cup) and soak the pineapple in the solution to get rid of bacteria. After about 7-10 minutes, scrub the pineapple with a brush( a kitchen brush or a new toothbrush will do).
After scrubbing, place the pineapple back in the water-vinegar solution and add 3 tablespoons of baking soda( this helps neutralize the vinegar and re move pesticides). Allow to sit on the solution and rinse. - To juice your pineapple, you can use a juicer or a blender. To use a blender, simply blend your pineapple with water and strain using a cheese cloth or a fine mesh strainer.
Did you make this recipe?
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