Zobo Drink (Hibiscus Drink)

Give everyone a new, fun, and satisfying experience with the best Zobo Drink!

The Zobo Drink is a well-known Nigerian drink that’s traditionally made of dried hibiscus petals or sorrel. It is made even better with other ingredients like ginger, pineapples, and even oranges.

You will definitely love its vibrant color that reflects how sweet, tarty, and fruity it is. Over the years, it has also become popular in West Africa and now, it’s one of the best drinks to serve for occasions. It’s not just about flavor, but health benefits, too.

I always make the Zobo Drink because it’s a cultural icon and delicacy that I want my family to enjoy. It truly makes us feel like we’re back home in Africa. Taste it and let it take you on a journey in every glass!

How to Make the Zobo Drink

Using fresh fruits, quality dried flowers, and the right seasonings, the best Zobo Drink recipe is right around the corner! There are different ways to make it and I will share with you the easiest way to do it at home.

Indeed, with the help of a slow juicer, you can make this drink without much effort.

Ingredients

Here’s everything you will need for an authentic Zobo Drink:

Hibiscus flowers

Make it a real Zobo Drink with hibiscus flowers or sorrel!

Nothing beats the flavor you can get from dried hibiscus flowers. They’re sweet, sour, and tarty – exactly what everyone’s looking for in a drink. These flowers also have a deep red color that will make the drink extra colorful and rich.

Dried hibiscus flowers are some of my go-to choices for making teas, sauces, salads, and even desserts. Sometimes, all you have to do is steep them in water to taste just how delicious they can be.

Most importantly, hibiscus flowers are good for your health in many ways.

You will probably enjoy the flavor of hibiscus flowers, so remember to use any leftovers for Hibiscus Tea to go with your breakfast meals. Aside from adding them to your drinks, you can try to use them for jams, marinades, and sauces, too!

Pineapples 

Your Zobo Drink will certainly taste a lot better with pineapples.

Pineapples have a tarty and sour flavor that will pair well with the natural taste of dried hibiscus flowers. The vibrant yellow color of the pineapples can also give the drink a rich color.

Even the sweet scent of these pineapples can take the drink to the next level. I especially love these pineapples when making a Fruit Smoothie, Pineapple Juice, and Fruit Popsicles!

Oranges 

The Zobo Drink recipe will not be complete without oranges.

Oranges have a citrusy sweet flavor that adds a touch of acidity for a truly refreshing drink. It also tastes incredibly well with the pineapples and hibiscus flowers for a well-balanced flavor.

I suggest using seedless oranges to avoid the bitter taste that comes with the orange seeds. They’re also easy and quick to juice. Whenever I have leftover oranges, I use them to prepare Orange Juice for my family and friends!

Ginger

It’s always good to add a kick of spice to your Zobo Drink.

With all of the sweet fruits used, you need to balance them out with the spice and warmth you can get from ginger. It will also give a cooling effect that gets better every time you drink the juice.

The warm and soothing quality of ginger will surely make every sip worth it. You can experience ginger’s goodness in other drinks and juices, such as Pineapple-Ginger Juice and Apple, Carrot, and Ginger Juice!

Herbs

In a Zobo Drink, herbs can have tremendous effects.

Just when you think it can’t get better, you can use star anise, cloves, and hot pepper to give the Zobo Drink a more intense flavor. These herbs will surely add a minty and zesty quality that will taste amazing when mixed into the drink.

Once you have everything ready, you are one step closer to making the best Zobo Drink you will ever experience!

Directions

Here’s how you can make the best version of the Zobo Drink:

1. Slice the oranges into quarters using a knife.
2. Peel and slice the pineapple into thin pieces.
3.  Use a spoon to peel the ginger.
4. Insert the oranges, pineapple, and ginger into the slow juicer.
5. Then, pour the juice into a bowl and stir with a spatula.
6. Stir in the dried hibiscus flowers, star anise, cloves, and hot pepper.
7. Let the mixture infuse for an hour.
8. Pour the contents into a glass and serve with your favorite dishes!

When properly prepared, this Zobo Drink will definitely be a delight to enjoy! Not only is it refreshing and sweet, but it is also good for your body and lifestyle!

Tips

Drying Hibiscus Flowers

There are different ways to dry hibiscus flowers. Here, you can try whichever works best for you:

Air dry

1. Arrange the flowers on a lined tray.
2. Cover the tray with a net cover.
3. Let it dry, but not in direct sunlight.
4. Wait until they are crisp.

Oven dry

1. Preheat the oven to the lowest temperature.
2. Arrange the flowers on a lined tray.
3. Then, dry them in the oven with the oven door slightly ajar.
4. Once dried, remove them from heat.

Dehydrator

1. Set the dehydrator at a low temperature.
2. Then, place the flowers on the dehydrator tray.
3. Let them dry for several hours or until completely dried.

Pineapples

Buying pineapples

• Healthy Family Project suggests buying pineapples with green leaves.
• Check if the shell is firm.
• Go for pineapples that feel heavy for their size.
• You should also smell a sweet scent near the crown.

Storing pineapples

• Use room temperature pineapples within two days.
• You can also store them in the fridge for up to five days.
• Keep sliced pineapples in the fridge for a week.
• In fact, you can freeze them for up to six months.

Oranges

Buying oranges

• I suggest buying oranges that feel heavy and slightly firm.
• The skin should also feel smooth and fine.
• You can use Valencia, Navel, tangerines, and Blood oranges to make the drink.

Storing oranges

• Oranges kept at room temperature are best used within two days.
• According to All Recipes, oranges can last up to a month in the fridge.

Zobo Drink Variations

Did you love the traditional Zobo Drink? You might also like the variations that it comes in.

You can start with the classic Zobo Drink to taste its authentic version. However, you can always try new experiences using cucumber, beetroot, mangoes, clementines, grapes, lemons, and other fruits.

Don’t forget the dried hibiscus flowers because they are the most important part of the drink. You can add sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, date paste, or sugar for a richer flavor.

Meanwhile, you can season the drink with spices such as turmeric, cinnamon sticks, lime, and more. If you want to enjoy the fruits individually, then you can make fresh Pineapple Juice, Orange Juice, or Hibiscus Tea!

Recommended Tools

• Slow juicer: Juice the fruits using a slow juicer.
• Knife: Prepare the fruits with a knife.
• Spatula: Stir the contents using a spatula.
• Spoon: Peel the ginger with a spoon.
• Bowl: Pour the drink into a bowl to infuse.
• Glass: Serve the Zobo Drink in a glass.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn commission income from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure for more information.

Visit my shop for more products.

How to Serve the Zobo Drink

I can’t wait for you to try just how delicious the Zobo Drink is!

You can serve the Zobo drink at least an hour after steeping it. The longer it steeps, the more flavorful and healthier it will be. It can also be served at room temperature or as a chilled drink with pineapple ice cubes. 

It can serve as refreshments at parties, events, lunches, or other occasions. The Zobo drink will surely be like a breath of fresh air from the common drinks served at events. 

You will appreciate this drink better if you pair it with any of the dishes below:

• Coleslaw
• Breakfast Wraps
• Banana Bread
• Spaghetti Bolognese
• Fruit Salad
• Egg Omelet Toast
• Overnight Oats
• Pancakes

Storage Tips

• At room temperature: I suggest drinking the Zobo Drink within two hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Zobo Drink do in the body?

With the combined ingredients of the Zobo Drink, you can trust that it has positive effects on your blood pressure, digestion, energy, immunity, kidney function, cholesterol levels, weight loss, liver health, and even mood.

Is Zobo drink good for the kidney?

Yes, it is! The Zobo Drink is great for supporting kidney function because it has different kinds of acids like citric, acetic, and maleic. It also helps eliminate toxins in the body to prevent kidney damage and failure.

What does zobo taste like?

The zobo tastes like a good mix of sweet, warm, spicy, and tarty flavors from the hibiscus flowers, pineapples, oranges, ginger, and herbs. You can make it as sweet or warm as you want for a version of your own.

How to make a very rich Zobo drink?

As long as you follow the steps in this recipe, I can guarantee that you will get a Zobo Drink that’s rich beyond compare. Also, be sure to use dried hibiscus flowers to give it the best quality.