Zobo Drink: How to make Zobo (Zoborodo)

Zobo, also known as Zoborobo, is a nourishing drink made from dried red Roselle plant (Hibiscus sabdariffa), commonly referred to as Zobo leaves. Learn how to make this refreshing classic and savor its benefits.

Zobo Drink: How to make Zobo (Zoborodo)


Zobo Drink: How to make Zobo (Zoborodo)

Zobo or Zoborodo is a healthy Nigerian drink made from the dried red calyces and sepals of the Roselle plant (Hibiscus sabdariffa), known as Zobo leaves in Nigeria.

Zobo is usually served as a chilled refreshing drink, but can also be enjoyed as a relaxing hot tea and the leaves can also be used in production of jams/jelly, food coloring, syrups and soups/sauces.

It is loaded with lots of health benefits.
According to several scientific investigations, the consumption of Zobo leaves, whether in form of tea, jams, or sauces is said to help reduce high blood pressure, aid digestion, promote the health of the urinary tract and also great for overall body health.

See also  Health Benefits of Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina)

Here’s how to make a refreshing Zobo drink:

Ingredients for Zobo drink
Makes about 5+ (150ml) glass cups
– 1 cup Zobo leaves
– Half of a small Pineapple

– Pineapple peels (the skin of the pineapple you’re using)
– 5 to 6 cups of Water
– 1 teaspoonful Cloves (optional)
– 1 tablespoonful Ginger (Grated or chopped Ginger) (optional)
– Sugar or Honey or any sweetener of choice (to taste) (optional)

Notes: you can also add:
Peels of 1 orange/lemon,
OR 1 apple,
OR 1 teaspoon alligator pepper,
Or garlic or cinnamon while boiling the zobo leaves.
Depending on the amount of pineapple you’re using, you might not need any sweetener.
In the absence of fresh pineapple, canned ones or pineapple flavor can also be used.
If you want a lighter consistency, you can make use of more water.

Preparation:

1. Rinse the Zobo leaves in sufficient water and set aside.
Wash the unpeeled pineapple thoroughly,peel of the skin and cut into chunks, but don’t throw away the skin, because you’ll be making use of it too.

See also  Jollof Rice : How to Cook Nigerian Jollof Rice (a.k.a Party Jollof Rice)

2.  Now, place the washed zobo leaves into a clean pot, add the water, the pineapple chunks and skin, the grated ginger, cloves(if using) and any other ingredients you’ll like to add.
Cover the pot and let the Zobo leaves boil on medium heat for 35 minutes.
Turn of the heat and leave the pot covered, so that the ingredients can steep a little longer in the hot water and also cool down completely.

3. When the drink cools down,  pour the Zobo leaves and all the contents of the pot through a sieve and into a clean container.

4. If you want to, you can add sugar, honey or any sweetener of choice to the strained Zobo drink.
You can drink it right away, topped up with some iced cubes OR
If you’ll rather store it for later, pour into an airtight container and chill in the fridge.
Zobo drink keeps for up to a week or more in the fridge.

See also  Okpa : How to make Okpa

Zobo drink can be served with Nigerian Meat pie, Buns, Puff puff and any other snack or meal of choice.

Zobo Drink: How to make Zobo (Zoborodo)

Thanks for your comments and feedbacks. Do join us on Nigerian Food TV channel and Facebook for step by step video recipes ☺. 

 

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49 Comments

  1. Oluremi
    January 19, 2022 / 11:13 pm

    It’s a site that open eyes to divers business ideas. “Well-done!”

  2. Mide
    October 31, 2017 / 2:40 pm

    Should the pineapple flavour be added after the zobo has cooled?

  3. Mya Carter
    October 9, 2017 / 2:03 pm

    How long can I store the dried leaves? I brought a ton back from Nigeria and will not be able to use them soon.

  4. Unknown
    July 7, 2017 / 6:02 pm

    is there any way one can preserve it for longer time says for a month or more

  5. Gift Akonye
    June 23, 2017 / 10:24 am

    I can't thank you enough for the info. I now have more reasons to cook with the range of varieties you've provided. Keep up the good work dear

  6. Anonymous
    May 28, 2017 / 9:37 pm

    hello please is their any artificial preservatives i need to add to avoid sour , apart from using refrigerator. thanks . [email protected]

  7. Anonymous
    April 30, 2017 / 4:36 pm

    Pls I want to ask is pineapple important and if I didn't get pineapple, what can I use as replacement or can it b cook like that?

  8. Anonymous
    April 30, 2017 / 4:36 pm

    Pls I want to ask is pineapple important and if I didn't get pineapple, what can I use as replacement or can it b cook like that?

  9. Jessie darling
    November 6, 2016 / 5:26 pm

    Does zobo affect the body when taken hot but I take it cold just in case there is change in situation

    • Nky Lily Lete
      November 21, 2016 / 9:14 pm

      No jessie 🙂

  10. Anonymous
    November 6, 2016 / 5:24 pm

    Does it affect the body when taken hot but I take it cold just in case there is change in situation

    • Nky Lily Lete
      November 21, 2016 / 8:50 pm

      No it doesnt affect the body negatively.

  11. Fomi
    April 15, 2016 / 9:24 am

    am on track but where can I get cinnamon in Nigeria.

    • Nky Lily Lete
      November 21, 2016 / 8:43 pm

      Anywhere food spices are sold.

  12. Homa Manjor
    January 28, 2016 / 9:57 pm

    Can one drink zobo that is already fermented. Does it pose any threat to the body.

    • Nky Lily Lete
      November 21, 2016 / 8:37 pm

      I've never tried it.

  13. chioma joan
    January 15, 2016 / 5:31 pm

    please aunty Nky when u say cloves do you mean garlic?

    • Nky Lily Lete
      November 21, 2016 / 8:34 pm

      No Chioma,cloves is not the same as garlic.

  14. Lydiababe
    January 10, 2016 / 8:47 am

    Thanks for dis info. Weldone.

    • Nky Lily Lete
      January 11, 2016 / 11:12 am

      You're welcome Lydiababe 🙂

  15. Anonymous
    July 4, 2015 / 3:32 pm

    Pls if not freezed can it get spoilt? And if yes …..how long can it stay before spoiling.thanks

    • Nky Lily Lete
      August 1, 2015 / 2:28 pm

      Yes. I think 24 hrs and after that it will start to ferment.

  16. Anonymous
    July 4, 2015 / 3:29 pm

    Please if not freezed can it get spoilt? And if yes….. how long can it stay before spoiling.thanks

  17. Anonymous
    July 4, 2015 / 3:27 pm

    Please,if not freezed can it get spoilt?and if yes….how long will it stay before spoiling?Thanks

  18. Anonymous
    May 14, 2015 / 10:54 pm

    Thks 4ur info nk..i really appreciate,can i get info for soya drink

    • Nky Lily Lete
      May 24, 2015 / 2:46 pm

      You're welcome.Soya milk recipe coming soon

  19. Anonymous
    March 31, 2015 / 9:25 pm

    Can I get recipe for kunun

    • Nky Lily Lete
      April 2, 2015 / 11:43 am

      sure, recipe coming in next post.

  20. Anonymous
    March 8, 2015 / 12:07 am

    Wow! I'l try to prepare this. Thanks aunty Nk for the recipes, for always encouraging me and many others….. Thanks for uploading those pictures on fb :). I really appreciate. May you continue to prosper in all you do…. Amen! Nj 🙂

    • Nky Lily Lete
      March 9, 2015 / 3:04 pm

      You're always welcome hun , God bless you too 🙂

  21. Anonymous
    January 7, 2015 / 9:23 am

    It is also called Egyptian Sorrell and most stores do carry it in America

    • Nky Lily Lete
      January 11, 2015 / 11:56 am

      THanks for the info 🙂

  22. Anonymous
    November 7, 2014 / 7:00 pm

    I AM WORKING ON ONLINE TRADITIONAL AFRICAN MARKET AND WILL LIKE US TO COLLABORATE

  23. Alimat Giwa
    November 6, 2014 / 2:18 am

    Thanks for posting, i used to sell when i was in school back home, can i get the leaves here in Canada please do you know.Thanks.

    • Nky Lily Lete
      November 6, 2014 / 10:50 am

      Hi Alimat, you can get it at the stores as Roselle calyces or Hibiscus sepals or Flor de Jamaica. Check latin American store too.

  24. Anonymous
    October 29, 2014 / 2:08 pm

    Thanks a lot , please can the chunks be blend, sieve and added to the already cooked zobo than cooking them together

    • Nky Lily Lete
      October 30, 2014 / 6:50 am

      Yes you can add it that way too, but it doesn't keep for long using that method because the pineapple is fresh, but it will turn out delicious too.

  25. Ummu Ashraf
    October 29, 2014 / 11:04 am

    Ure so sweet..tnx darl

    • Nky Lily Lete
      October 29, 2014 / 12:45 pm

      You're welcome 🙂

  26. Araba Ganiyat Bukola Minaj
    October 28, 2014 / 5:16 pm

    Y do u cal it zoborobo?

    • Nky Lily Lete
      October 29, 2014 / 10:14 am

      I was told that ''Zoborodo'' is the full name, it's actually what we call it during my school days in Naija.

  27. Anonymous
    October 28, 2014 / 9:50 am

    I've made this drink before but never added the pineapple and its skin.I'm gonna try this recipe out tonight. Thanks Nky

    • Nky Lily Lete
      October 29, 2014 / 10:13 am

      Oh dear, see what you're missing. You'll really love it with pineapples, no need to add sugar. Do let me know how it turns out 🙂

    • katimani
      February 21, 2015 / 1:04 pm

      Dats true pineaple makes it nice but try kucumber also boil together its just perfect

    • katimani
      February 21, 2015 / 1:08 pm

      Yea dats true pineaple makes it nice but try addin kucumber while boiling it,its so awesome

  28. Isa
    October 27, 2014 / 5:33 pm

    I need a sip of that chilled Zobo, looks really good. Well done.

    • Nky Lily Lete
      October 29, 2014 / 10:11 am

      Thanks Hun, it's all yours 🙂