Recipe

Afia’s Sobolo Recipe

afiaAuthorafia the canadian africanYields1 ServingCategory
Total Time50 mins

This drink is a staple at most Ghanaian picnics and parties. Feel free to customize the spice blend to your liking and enjoy it in the heat of the summer time!

Ingredients

 1 Pineapple
 2 Large thumbs of ginger, peeled (about 1/3 cup)
 15 Grains of selim*
 7 African nutmeg*
 2 tbsp Cloves
 2 Chilies, dried
 1 tbsp Black peppercorn
 1 tsp Grains of paradise*
 1 cup Dates, pitted
 16 cups Water
 2 cups Hisbiscus flowers, dried (sorrel)
 Sugar, to taste
 White vinegar
*If you don't have the African spices noted on hand, use
 ½ tbsp Cloves (in addition to the 2 tbsp listed above)
 2 Cinnamon sticks

Directions

1

Clean the pineapple by soaking in a water and vinegar solution for 2-3 minutes.

2

While the pineapple is soaking, soak the dates in warm water then drain when nice and soft.

3

Pluck a few leaves from the pineapple crown and peel the pineapple.

Cut it into chunks, making sure that the core is removed.

4

In a blender, blend the pineapple fruit with the ginger and dates till smooth

5

In a pot, add the pineapple leaves, skin, blended mixture, and spices with 10 cups of water and bring to a boil.

Do not cover the pot otherwise it will splash.

6

One the water has come to a boil, add the hibiscus leaves/sorrel, and bring the heat down to allow the mixture to steep at a rolling boil

7

Let the mixture steep for at least 30 minutes, then turn off the stove.

8

Add sugar to taste.

I added ~ 3/4 cup of brown sugar, a quarter of a cup at a time until I got the right sweetness.

9

Let the mixture cool till the drink is room temperature.

Then, strain the Sobolo with a fine mesh strainer, pour it into a bottle and keep it in the fridge until you're ready to enjoy it!

Ingredients

 1 Pineapple
 2 Large thumbs of ginger, peeled (about 1/3 cup)
 15 Grains of selim*
 7 African nutmeg*
 2 tbsp Cloves
 2 Chilies, dried
 1 tbsp Black peppercorn
 1 tsp Grains of paradise*
 1 cup Dates, pitted
 16 cups Water
 2 cups Hisbiscus flowers, dried (sorrel)
 Sugar, to taste
 White vinegar
*If you don't have the African spices noted on hand, use
 ½ tbsp Cloves (in addition to the 2 tbsp listed above)
 2 Cinnamon sticks

Directions

1

Clean the pineapple by soaking in a water and vinegar solution for 2-3 minutes.

2

While the pineapple is soaking, soak the dates in warm water then drain when nice and soft.

3

Pluck a few leaves from the pineapple crown and peel the pineapple.

Cut it into chunks, making sure that the core is removed.

4

In a blender, blend the pineapple fruit with the ginger and dates till smooth

5

In a pot, add the pineapple leaves, skin, blended mixture, and spices with 10 cups of water and bring to a boil.

Do not cover the pot otherwise it will splash.

6

One the water has come to a boil, add the hibiscus leaves/sorrel, and bring the heat down to allow the mixture to steep at a rolling boil

7

Let the mixture steep for at least 30 minutes, then turn off the stove.

8

Add sugar to taste.

I added ~ 3/4 cup of brown sugar, a quarter of a cup at a time until I got the right sweetness.

9

Let the mixture cool till the drink is room temperature.

Then, strain the Sobolo with a fine mesh strainer, pour it into a bottle and keep it in the fridge until you're ready to enjoy it!

Afia’s Sobolo Recipe

Want more Black Foodie?

Our best tips for eating thoughtfully and living joyfully, right in your inbox.

Scroll to Top