Zobo
Nigerian Hibiscus Drink
A vibrant, deep red, tangy, and incredibly refreshing traditional Nigerian drink made from dried hibiscus flowers, accented with pineapple, ginger, and cloves.
🧂 Ingredients
- 200g Dried hibiscus flowers (Zobo leaves)(Ensure they are clean and free from debris.)
- 1 medium Pineapple(Peeled, cored, and roughly chopped. You can also use pre-made pineapple juice (about 500ml).)
- 50g Fresh ginger(Peeled and roughly chopped or grated.)
- 150-250g Sugar(Adjust to your preferred sweetness. Can substitute with honey or other sweeteners.)
- 5-7 Whole cloves(Adds a warm aromatic spice.)
- 2 liters Water
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the aromatics and hibiscus: Rinse the dried hibiscus flowers thoroughly under cold water. Peel and roughly chop or grate the ginger. If using whole pineapple, peel, core, and roughly chop it.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 2
Boil the base: In a large pot, combine the rinsed hibiscus flowers, chopped ginger, whole cloves, and 2 liters of water. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
Simmer the mixture: Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and let it simmer gently for 30 minutes. The liquid should turn a deep ruby red, and the aroma should be fragrant.
⏱️ 30 minutes - 4
Strain the liquid: Remove the pot from the heat. Carefully strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl or pitcher, pressing down on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the hibiscus leaves, ginger, and cloves.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 5
Add pineapple flavor: If using fresh pineapple, blend the chopped pineapple with about 1 cup of the strained hot liquid until smooth. Strain this pineapple mixture through the sieve into the main liquid to remove pulp. Alternatively, if using pre-made pineapple juice, stir it into the strained hibiscus liquid.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 6
Sweeten and adjust: Stir in the sugar (or your chosen sweetener) until fully dissolved. Taste the Zobo and add more sugar if desired. The flavor should be a balance of tangy, sweet, and spiced.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 7
Chill thoroughly: Allow the Zobo to cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until well chilled. The flavors will meld and deepen as it chills.
⏱️ Minimum 1 hour - 8
Serve: Pour the chilled Zobo into glasses filled with ice. Garnish with a slice of pineapple or a sprig of mint if desired.
⏱️ 1 minute
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a smoother drink, you can blend the pineapple with the hibiscus mixture before straining.
- ✓The intensity of the hibiscus flavor can be adjusted by simmering time; shorter for milder, longer for more intense.
- ✓Zobo can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- ✓The vibrant red color is a hallmark of this drink; ensure your hibiscus flowers are of good quality for the best hue.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add sliced cucumber to the simmering liquid for a cooling note.
- Incorporate other fruits like watermelon or berries during blending.
- Use stevia or erythritol for a sugar-free version.
- Add a splash of lime or lemon juice for extra tanginess.