The sorrel drink is a staple in every Jamaican household during Christmas, but low crop yield due Hurricane Melissa and high prices may force you to ‘tek yuh hand tun fashion’.

Observer Online has curated a list of 12 alternative quick and easy drinks you can prepare this Christmas to include in the traditional feast of rice and gungo peas, curry goat, ham, chicken, fruit cake et al.

Check out our list and tell us which drink you will be making for Christmas.

1. Pineapple Cranberry drink

Pineapple Cranberry drink

If you are looking for a refreshing but versatile drink to share with the family, then the pineapple cranberry drink is the perfect choice. This drink is quick and simple to make.

Ingredients (serving 10):

• 1 bottle of cranberry juice
• 1 bottle of pineapple juice
• 1 cup cranberries (for garnish)
• Ice cubes
• 4 cups ginger beer
• Vodka (optional)

Instructions:

• In a large juice jug combine the cranberry juice, pineapple juice, ginger beer, vodka and stir to blend flavours
• Serve with ice
• Add cranberries to cup for garnish

2. Eggnog

Eggnog

Eggnog is a thick, creamy, dairy drink that is enjoyed by many people during the festive season.

Ingredients (serving 8):

• 6 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons vanilla
• 1 tablespoons cinnamon
• 3 tablespoon nutmeg
• 1 pinch salt
• 4 cups sugar
• 4 cups rum
• 2 cups heavy cream

Instructions:

• In a large saucepan over medium-low heat combine milk, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon for five minutes.
• Turn heat to medium after five minutes. Stir regularly.
• After it comes to a boil turn off heat
• Combine egg yolks and sugar in a bowl. Whisk until the mixture is fluffy with visible ripples.
• Pour warm milk mixture into the eggs slowly, to ensure the eggs are not cooked. Be sure to mix vigorously during the process.
• Pour the mixture into the saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly for five minutes. Do not allow the mixture to boil.
• Let the mixture cool for an hour.
• Add rum and vanilla.
• Refrigerate
• Before serving, whip heavy cream until softly firm. Fold whipped cream into egg nog mixture.
• Top eggnog with grated nutmeg

3. Rum punch

Rum punch

The rum punch is another great alternative to the sorrel drink you can share with the friends and family this festive season. Here is a quick recipe to get you started.

Ingredients (8 servings):

• 2 cups of pineapple juice
• 2 cups white rum
• 4 cups water
• 1.5 cup fruit punch syrup
• 3 limes
• Ice

Instructions:

• In a large juice jug add water, pineapple juice, white rum, fruit punch syrup, lime juice and stir to combine flavours.
• Refrigerate
• Server over ice

4. Soursop juice

Soursop juice

The soursop fruit is another popular drink enjoyed by many Jamaicans. The soursop fruit is also rich in antioxidants, fibre and vitamin c, making it a great option this festive season.

Ingredients (6 serving):

• 1 large soursop
• 1 condensed milk
• 2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons sugar or to taste
• 1 pinch salt
• 4 cups water

Instructions:

• Wash and peel soursop. Discard stalk in the middle.
• Place pulp in a large bowl. Add water. Ensure your hands are washed and clean. Squeeze soursop pulp with your hands to extract juice.
• Strain to separate pulp from juice using a sieve/strainer
• In a juice jug add soursop juice, milk, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, sugar, salt and combine ingredients
• Refrigerate
• Server over ice

5. Homemade ginger beer

Homemade ginger beer

If you are a lover of ginger beer, then you are at the right place. Learn how to make your very own ginger beer at home this festive season.

Ingredients (serving 6):

• 1 1b ginger
• 3 limes
• 10 cups water
• Sugar to sweeten
• Cinnamon stick

Instructions:

• Wash and peel ginger
• Chop or blend ginger with 2 cup of water
• Add ginger mixture, cinnamon stick and 8 cups of water in a large pot then allow to simmer on low heat for 5 minutes.
• Remove from pot from stove and allow mixture to cool
• Strain mixture using a sieve/strainer
• Add lime juice and sweeten to taste
• Serve over ice

6. Ginger and pineapple juice

ginger pineapple juice

Ginger and pineapple juice is a sweet but yet refreshing drink that can be paired well with your favorite Christmas dishes.Here are some simple steps to follow to make this drink.

Ingredients (serving 6):

• 1 large pineapple
• 2 limes
• 1 lemon
• 4 slices of ginger
• 3 cups of sugar or to taste
• 8 cups water

Instructions:

• Wash the pineapple and ginger thoroughly
• Peel pineapple. Be sure to keep the skin because this will also be used for the drink.
• Dice ginger.
• Dice the pineapple. Place both the skin and the diced pineapple with the water, and ginger and bring to a boil for 10 minutes.
• Remove pot from stove and allow to cool.
• Blend mixture
• Strain
• Add lime juice and sugar
• Refrigerate
• Serve over ice

7. Cherry juice

cherry juice

Almost every Jamaican has a cherry tree growing in their backyard and, if not their backyard, their neighbours’ yard. Cherry is perhaps one of the most easily accessible fruits. Here is how you can turn this fruit into a refreshing juice for the family and friends.

Ingredients (serving 6):

• 3 1b cherry
• 8 cups water
• 4 slices of ginger
• 3 cups sugar or to taste
• 2 limes

Instructions:

• Wash cherry and ginger. Remove stem from cherry and dice ginger.
• Blend cherry and ginger with water
• Strain mixture
• Add lime juice and sugar to mixture
• Refrigerate
• Serve child

8. Beetroot and carrot punch

Beetroot and carrot punch

Beetroot and carrot punch is a popular drink enjoyed by many Jamaicans, especially on Sundays with the popular rice and peas and chicken.

Ingredients (8 servings):

• 6 medium carrots
• 4 beet roots
• 1 tin Condensed milk or sweeten to taste
• 4 cups water
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions:

• Wash and peel carrots and beet root
• Rinse once more
• Dice carrot and beet root
• Add carrot and beet root to pot with four cups of water
• Allow to cook over medium heat for 12-15 minutes
• Remove pot from and allow to cool
• Once cool, blend beetroot and carrot with vanilla, cinnamon, milk and nutmeg
• Refrigerate
• Serve over ice

9. Pumpkin punch

pumpkin punch

The rich and thick pumpkin punch is another great drink to add to your Christmas drinks menu.

Ingredients:

• ¼ pumpkin with seeds removed
• 1 dragon stout
• 1 condensed milk
• 4 cups water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon rose water
• 1 tablespoon almond essence
• 1 pinch salt

Instructions:

• Wash and remove skin from pumpkin
• Dice pumpkin
• Add to a pot and water and leave to boil for 15-20 minutes medium heat
• Allow to cool
• Blend with cinnamon, nutmeg, rose water, almond essence
• Add condensed milk, dragon and salt
• Put to chill or serve with ice

10. Fruit punch

Fruit punch

Fruit punch is a refreshing drink and it’s also easy to make. Here are some simple steps.

Ingredients (6 serving):

• 1 large pineapple
• 3 limes
• ¼ water melon
• 4 slices ginger
• 2 oranges
• 2 passion fruit
• 4 cups water
• 2 cups sugar or to taste

Instructions:

• Wash pineapple, watermelon, oranges, ginger, passion fruit and limes
• Dice pineapple, watermelon and ginger and passion fruit. Blend fruits together with water.
• Squeeze orange and lime. Add to mixture with blended fruits.
• Strain
• Add sugar
• Refrigerate or serve over ice

11. Otaheite apple juice

Otaheite apple juice

Otaheite apple juice is another quick and simple replacement to the popular sorrel drink this year.

Here is how you can make it.
Ingredients (serving 6):

• 10 otaheite apples
• 4 slices ginger
• 3 limes
• 2 cups sugar
• 6 cups water

Instructions:

• Wash apples, ginger and lines
• Dice apples and ginger
• Strain
• Add lime juice and sugar
• Refrigerate or serve chill over ice

12. Jamaican Guinness punch

Guinness punch

The Jamaican Guinness punch is a rich, creamy and tasty drink made with Guinness stout, sweetened condensed milk and nutmeg and/or other spices. Other ingredients often include Supligen or an alternative food drink, vanilla flavouring and egg.

A popular item on many Jamaican Sunday dinner tables, the Guinness punch should be considered for the Christmas feast this year.

Here’s how you can make it, according to Guinness:

Ingredients:

11.2 oz Guinness Extra Stout (1 Bottle)

8 oz. Whole Milk

4 oz. Condensed Milk

1/8 Tsp Ground Cinnamon

1/8 Tsp Ground Nutmeg

1/4 Tsp Vanilla Extract

Instructions:

Add ice, Guinness, milk, sweetened condensed milk, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla extract to a blender and pulse to combine.

Pour mix into serving glass and garnish with whipped cream and freshly ground nutmeg.