This delicious bissap drink can be enjoyed chilled or served hot as tea. It has a piquant flavor; thus, sweeteners like honey, syrup, or sugar can be used to sweeten the drink. Depending on preference, fresh fruits can also serve as a sweetener or flavor enhancer.
I am sharing one of my favorite childhood drinks with you today: the Roselle drink, or zobo drink, as we call it, back home. It's refreshingly tasty, like this butterfly pea tea.
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Reasons to love this zobo drink
- This delicious hibiscus drink can be enjoyed chilled or served hot as tea.
- It’s aromatic with a sweet undertone
- It’s effortless to make.
- Kid-friendly: the kids can make cups with their favorite fruits and enjoy the drink as a cold beverage.
- It’s great for parties as the recipe can be made in a pitcher.
- This roselle drink is perfect for making in advance. Once ready to serve, pour over ice.
- For the ultimate taste of home, serve it alongside my fan's favorite Meat pie or Nkwobi for a taste of home.
What is Roselle Tea?
Roselle tea is made from the Hibiscus sabdariffa plant (Zobo leaves) and is well known to the natives of West Africa, India, and Southeast Asia. The leaves, seeds, and fruits are edible, nutritious, and packed with antioxidants. The petal of the plant can be used to make tea, syrups, jam, drinks, and lots more.
Benefits of Roselle tea
Hibiscus tea is highly nutritious and contains antioxidants like vitamin C. According to WebMD, some of the benefits are:
- Decreases high blood pressure
- May aid in reducing weight loss
- Reduce cholesterol
- Improves liver health
- Prevents UTI
Read more about the benefits on their website.
Other Names for Bissap
Does this roselle drink sound familiar? That’s because of its global popularity. You might know it as one of the following famous names in its region:
- Bissap in Senegal
- Zobo or tsoborodo in Nigeria
- Agua de Jamaica in Mexico
- karkadé tea in Egypt
- Arhul ka Phil in India
- Gumamela in the Philippines
- Oseille in France, to name but a few.
Ingredient List
Here are a couple of ingredients needed to make the Nigerian Zobo drink:
Hibiscus leaves: You can get dried hibiscus flowers from amazon or specialty stores.
Raw ginger: I used about two thumb-sized gingers. Feel free to use ground ginger if that's all you have. To get an enhanced ginger taste, add at least 2 tablespoons.
Cinnamon sticks: the cinnamon sticks enhance the taste of the roselle tea by adding some sweet and spicy notes.
Pineapple: I prefer fresh pineapples; you can use frozen if that's all you have. Make sure to allow it to thaw to reduce the liquid in the pot. You can equally remove half a cup of water and use it for frozen fruits.
Sweetener: although the pineapple already adds sweetness to the drink, you can add more sweetener to your taste. To keep it healthy, use unrefined sugar like honey to sweeten the drink.
(See the recipe card below for the correct measurements).
Step-by-step instructions
The preparation for bissap is pretty basic and straightforward.
Step 1: Rinse the hibiscus petals and place all the ingredients in a medium saucepan, except the sugar.
Step 2: Pour water into the pot with the ingredients. Be careful not to fill it to the top, as it will bubble while it cooks.
Step 3: Bring the content in the pot to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook for a few minutes until it’s fragrant.
Step 4: Remove from heat and allow to steep for a few hours.
Step 5: Strain the liquid through a fine mesh into a pitcher or serving bowl
Step 6: Add the sweetener of your choice and give it a nice stir. Chill or serve over ice and garnish as you wish.
Variations
Spices: other spices like cloves, cinnamon, or mace can be used for an enhanced taste.
Flavors: add berries or your favorite fruit to sample fun flavors.
Sweetener: hibiscus tea is often used for weight loss without added sugar. Adding one-fourth to half a cup of sweetener can elevate the drink's taste, so it's up to you.
Cocktail: Do you want something stronger solely for adults? Add dark rum, vodka, or sparkling wine (drink responsibly!).
Tips for Success
- Allow the petals steep for a long time, preferably 4 hours or overnight, to get the best flavor possible.
- Rinse the hibiscus petals to get rid of specks of dirt.
- Transfer the content from the pot into a heat-proof bowl with a spout before straining through a sieve to prevent making a huge mess. better yet, use a wide sieve and bowl, then use a funnel to transfer it into a pitcher.
Storage
- Store any leftovers in an air-tight bottle or pitcher, and refrigerate for up to 4 days for the best flavor.
- Pour the drink into an ice cube tray and freeze it for later.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, bissap is the Senegalese meaning for hibiscus flower.
Bissap or hibiscus leaves is packed with nutritious antioxidant and vitamins. Studies have shown it helps reduce high blood pressure, promotes weight loss, and prevents UTIs, amongst other benefits.
Bissap refers to the plant hibiscus, a.k.a Hibiscus sabdariffa.
Bissap juice tastes just like cranberry juice. A little tart and lightly sweet.
LOVE COLD DRINKS? TRY THESE RELATED DRINK RECIPES.
There you have it! Kick your feet up and enjoy a refreshing glass of this delicious tea.
I hope you’ll give this hibiscus drink a try.
Share a glass with us on social media if you made it using the hashtag worldlytreat(#worldlytreat). We’d love to join the soirée. Don’t forget to pin it for later.
laterz!
Peace & Love
Maureen
📖 Recipe
Bissap (Roselle Tea Drink)
Equipment
- Medium pot (3-4 quarts)
- Fine mesh sieve
Ingredients
- 1 cup Dried hibiscus (roselle petals)
- 2 Thumb-sized Fresh ginger roots, thinly sliced
- 2 Cinnamon sticks (optional)
- 1 cup Pineapple chunks (fresh or frozen)
- 2 small Fresh mint sprigs (optional)
- 8 cups Water
- ⅓ cup sweetener (simple syrup, honey, or superfine granulated sugar) or to taste
Instructions
- Rinse the dried petals and fresh ginger under running water to remove any dirt.
- In a medium-sized pot, bring all the ingredients mentioned above (EXCEPT the sweetener) to a boil on medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium and cook for 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for about 15 minutes until fragrant.
- Remove the pot from heat and allow it to steep for an hour (steep overnight for the best flavor).
- Place a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth over a pitcher or wide serving bowl, and pour the mixture over it. Discard the content from the pot. Add the sweetener and stir to combine.
- Chill completely or serve over ice or frozen fruits.(See step-by-step photos and tips in the body of the post).
Notes
- If using granulated sugar, add it while the drink is still hot.
- Allow the petals steep for a long time, preferably 4 hours or overnight, to get the best flavor possible.
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight bottle or jug for up to 4 days.
Julie Plagens says
This looks delicious. I have never heard of this drink before. I wish I could sample it!
Maureen Celestine says
Thanks, Julie, I wish I could send you a chilled glass...I think the drink is more popular in the southern parts of the states.
Paige Marie says
I love this recipe. It sounds so light and fresh! Im definitely going to have to give it a try!
Maureen Celestine says
Please do, Paige, you'd love it. The best part is that you can build up flavor to your liken, no rules.
Diana says
I would love to try it! It sounds really yummy and I love the dark red coloring!
Maureen Celestine says
it is so yummy, Diana. I'd love to see a picture when you do. Kindly use #worldlytreat on Instagram or Facebook to share your thoughts with us. Thanks
Becca Wilson says
This drink looks so very interesting. I never would have thought to make something like this but would love to give it a try!
Maureen Celestine says
Becca, if you love cranberry or pomegranate juice, then you'd love this.
Lisa rios says
Wow, this sounds so yummy. I need to try this. I think my grandma made this once for a health drink since she's obsessed with those and it was really good. Thank you!
Maureen Celestine says
It's so refreshing, Lisa!
Elizabeth O says
This looks so delicious. Thanks for sharing the recipe with us because its definitely one I would love to try out indeed!
Nina says
this looks so delicious, I shall give this a try when I get the chance. thank you for sharing. I will bookmark this for the future.
Kevin says
Woah! I am from the Philippines and we have plenty of gumamela here but I didn't know that it could be made into this. I guess it's never too late to try. Thanks!
Maureen Celestine says
Hey Kevin, its good to know you have the hibiscus leaves in abundance. Now you can get to experiment the many possibilities with gumamela.:)
Britney says
I don’t even know where I would get Roselle petals but this drink is so beautiful!
Maureen Celestine says
Britney, You can get it at most big chain grocery store, check the international aisle or from Amazon. Thanks for stopping by!
Preet says
Wow! This one's a winner.I just love everything about this!My boys would both probably DIG this!
Maureen Celestine says
Thanks, Preet. I am pretty sure they'll be into it, it was every kiddos favorite growing up.
Jennifer Prince says
Such an interesting way to make a drink! I would love to try it - both to taste and to make on my own.
Angelie Graham says
I will be making this for a company Christmas breakfast. I love the various spices you suggest. I bet cardamom would be good too.
Maureen Celestine says
So glad to hear that Angelie. Yes, Cardamon will do just fine. I hope you enjoy it.