Sorrel Rum Punch

HEAMI LEE

Published on December 12, 2017

New York bartender Jackie Summers introduced us to a homemade version of this traditional Jamaican white rum punch made with dried hibiscus flowers and an array of citrus and spices. Our version makes it "royale" by topping it off with champagne or sparkling wine.

Ingredients

³⁄₄ cup raw cane sugar
¹⁄₂ cup dried hibiscus blossoms
10 whole cloves
3 allspice berries
2 cinnamon sticks
1 4-inch piece of fresh ginger, sliced ¼ inch thick (3 oz.)
1 whole nutmeg, cracked a couple times with a mortar and pestle
2 cups white Caribbean rum, such as Banks 5
1 750-ml bottle sparkling wine
Orange slices to garnish

Instructions

Step 1

In a large pot, bring 8 cups of water to a boil. Add the cane sugar, hibiscus blossoms, cloves, allspice, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, stir, and remove from the heat. Steep for 1 hour at room temperature, then strain into a pitcher and chill.

Step 2

When you are ready to serve, pour the hibiscus infusion into a large punch bowl. Add several cups of ice and the rum and stir. Top with sparkling wine, garnish with orange slices, and serve immediately.