Name: Zobo Drink (Hibiscus Drink)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 70 min
Ingredients: 50 g dried Zobo leaves; 1 pineapple (cut into chunks); 1 orange (cut into segments); 6 pieces of cloves (substitute with the 1 tbsp ground cloves (kanafuru)); Ginger (2-3 sugar cube sizes); Sugar to taste (optional)

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Zobo drink (Hibiscus drink) as popularly called in Nigeria is refreshing, tasty and insanely easy to make.

The weather is getting warmer and better by the day and I really wish it stays this way. Lawd! I can’t deal with the cold weather. Last weekend, the weather was very fair to us here in the UK. I decided to grace it by making a very popular drink I grew up having back in Nigeria, Zobo.

Nigerian Zobo Drink

Zobo is a dried type of leaf and it is also called hibiscus leaf or sorrel flower (roselle plant). It can be easily sourced from the market. Zobo drink is very refreshing and medicinal too. I also know another type of hibiscus leaf called Ishapa used to cook egusi soup. My late grandmother made it for us severally, while growing up. Bless her soul! She was a wonderful cook and I miss her cooking a lot. I am not sure if ishapa is still very handy as it was back then. Meanwhile, Zobo, on the other hand, is very much available and affordable too.

This is meant to be a very short post, so let me stop rambling now. If you would like to learn more about Zobo leaves check this article here: you will be surprised at how mighty this colourful flower is. The health benefit of drinking Zobo is a lot. Some studies showed it may even help with weight loss and reduce hypertension.

Ingredients

Zobo leaves

Pineapple

Orange

Cloves

Ginger

Sugar to taste, optional

Coldwater (tap or room temperature water)

Health Benefit of Zobo leaves (Hibiscus drink)

Study has shown that when you incorporate hibiscus drink or hibiscus tea into your diet, it can help with the following.

Reduces blood pressure
Aid weight loss
Help treats cold
It boosts the immune system
It improves brain function… Just to mention a few

Please note: hibiscus tea or drink is not safe for pregnant and nursing mothers.

How to make Zobo drink

Rinse zobo leaves to get rid of dirt/debris.

Place zobo leaves and all other ingredients excluding the sugar into a pan and bring to boil with 4 cups of water for 15minutes. If you will be adding sugar or any other sweetener, add it to the mixture while it is still hot and mix together to combine.

Leave zobo to steep for about 2-4 hours depending on how much time you have got

Strain the content through the tiniest sieve you have to get rid of any settlements

Leave zobo to cool and serve chilled or with ice. Garnish with lemon or lime. Enjoy x

Other Nigerian Recipes You Should Try With This Drink

or with the delicious coconut shortbread pictured in this post.

an angled overhead shot of zobo drink garnished with a slice of lime, beside it are stack of cookies

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