Bissap juice is a Senegalese drink made with dried hibiscus flowers, also known as red bissap or Guinea sorrel. They are infused in hot water with mint, then filtered before adding sugar, orange blossom or vanilla. Bissap is served very chilled.

Bissap juice is an iced Senegalese drink made from dried hibiscus flowers, also known as red bissap or Guinea sorrel. Its intense red color, tangy taste, and floral scent make it one of the most refreshing drinks in West Africa.

In Senegal, bissap is served very chilled, at home, in restaurants, during festive meals or to accompany a spicy dish. It is often flavored with mint, orange blossom, vanilla, ginger or lemon, depending on taste and family recipes.

This recipe for homemade bissap juice is simple: the hibiscus flowers are infused in hot water with mint, then filtered before being sweetened and flavored. After a few hours in the refrigerator, you get a non-alcoholic drink that is fresh, tangy, slightly floral and perfect for summer.

What is bissap juice?

Le jus de bissap est une boisson fraiche qui se prépare avec des feuilles séchées d’hibiscus, également appelée Oseille de Guinée, qui correspondrait à sa région d’origine. Cette plante a ensuite été amenée au Sénégal, au Botswana ou encore au Congo, et l’on en trouve aujourd’hui partout dans le monde. Elle existe sous de nombreux noms en fonction des pays où on la trouve et notamment bissap en wolof.

What does bissap taste like?

Bissap has a tangy, fruity, and floral taste, sometimes compared to cranberry, pomegranate, or berries. Its deep red color comes from the hibiscus calyxes, which color the water very quickly during brewing.

Since it is naturally tart, it is usually balanced with sugar, vanilla, mint, orange blossom or ginger.

How to make a well-flavored bissap juice?

The secret is to not only boil the flowers, but also to let it steep to extract the color and aromas. After cooking, let the bissap cool, then filter it carefully for the first time.

To get a cleaner drink, you can let the juice settle, then strain it a second time before adding the sugar and flavors.

Mint, orange blossom, ginger: what variants?

The mint and orange blossom version is very fresh and fragrant. For a more tonic version, add fresh ginger. For a sweeter version, add a little vanilla. For a more tart version, add lemon or lime.

On peut aussi préparer un bissap plus concentré, puis le diluer avec de l’eau fraîche ou de l’eau pétillante au moment de servir.

How do you store bissap juice?

Bissap juice can be stored in the refrigerator in a clean, closed bottle. It is best chilled, after a few hours of rest, when the fragrances have diffused.

Ideally consume it within two to three days. If you’re making it for a party or buffet, keep it chilled until ready to serve.

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5 from 3 votes

Senegalese bissap juice – iced hibiscus infusion

Bissap juice is a fresh and tangy Senegalese drink, made with dried hibiscus flowers, mint, sugar, orange blossom, and vanilla. An alcohol-free, fragrant and very thirst-quenching iced infusion.

Prep time10 minutes mins

Cooking time10 minutes mins

Resting Time2 hours hrs

Total time2 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Type of dish: Drinks, Infusion, Recipes, Soft drink

Cuisine: Senegalese, West Africa

For: 6 personnes

Author: dumplingsandmore

Ingredients

• 50 g red bissap flowers or dried hibiscus flowers washed and drained
• 1,5 l water
• 6 tablespoons sugar Adjust to taste
• 3 tablespoons fresh mint leaves
• 1 tablespoon orange blossom water
• 2 Vanilla sugar packets

Preparation

• Rinse the bissap flowers quickly with cold water and drain them.
• Bring 1.5 l of water to the boil in a saucepan.
• Add the bissap flowers and mint leaves.
• Let it boil gently for 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat and let steep until cool.
• Filter the first time to remove the flowers and mint.
• Leave to decant for a few minutes, then filter a second time if necessary to obtain a cleaner juice.
• Add the sugar, vanilla sugar and orange blossom water. Mix until completely dissolved.
• Pour into a bottle or carafe.
• Set aside in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving chilled.

Notes

Adjust the amount of sugar to your liking: bissap is naturally tart. For a more tonic version, add fresh ginger during the brew. For a lighter version, make a less sweet bissap and serve it with ice cubes or sparkling water. Bissap juice can be kept for two to three days in the refrigerator in a clean, closed bottle.

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FAQ: Frequently asked questions about bissap juice

What is bissap juice?
Bissap juice is a West African drink made with dried hibiscus flowers or calyxes, infused in water and then sweetened and served cold.

What does bissap taste like?
Bissap has a tangy, fruity and floral taste. It is sometimes reminiscent of red fruits, cranberries or pomegranates.

Can you drink bissap hot?
Yes. Bissap can be drunk hot as an infusion, but in Senegal it is often served very cold, like an iced drink.

How to flavor bissap juice?
It can be flavored with mint, orange blossom, vanilla, ginger, lemon or lime.

How long should bissap juice last?
It will keep for two to three days in the refrigerator, in a clean, closed bottle.

How to avoid too acidic bissap?
Simply adjust the sugar, add a little vanilla or orange blossom, or dilute the juice with fresh water.