A deep-crimson hibiscus cooler simmered with ginger, pineapple, and cloves — Nigeria's tart, refreshing party drink served over ice.

Where does Zobo come from?

Zobo is a Nigerian dish from Lagos, Nigeria.

Can Zobo be made vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free?

Yes. This Zobo recipe includes ingredient substitutions to make it vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, or egg-free — including several of those at once, such as gluten-free and dairy-free together.

How long does Zobo take to make?

About 35 minutes total (10 minutes prep, 25 minutes cooking), serving 6.

Zobo — a Lagos, Nigeria recipe

Name: Zobo
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Nigerian
Ingredients: 2 cups dried hibiscus (roselle) petals; 8 cups water; 2-inch fresh ginger, sliced; 1/2 pineapple (with skin), chopped; 5 cloves; 3/4 cup sugar

Africa → 🇳🇬 Nigeria → Lagos

Zobo

Nigerian · easy · serves 6

prep 10 min · cook 25 min

~105 cal · 0g protein · 27g carbs · 0g fat (estimated, per serving)

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Glass of deep red hibiscus drink over ice

🇳🇬 Lagos

Zobo is Nigeria's beloved hibiscus drink, brewed from dried roselle petals and spiked with ginger, pineapple, and cloves until it turns tart, fruity, and jewel-red. Sold in bottles on Lagos streets and poured at every party, it is served ice-cold and endlessly customizable.

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Make it yours

Toggle a diet and the ingredients rewrite themselves with regional substitutes.

🥕 Vegetarian

🌱 Vegan

🌾 Gluten-Free

🥛 Dairy-Free

🥜 Nut-Free

🥚 Egg-Free

Ingredients

Serves 6 —

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2 cups dried hibiscus (roselle) petals

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8 cups water

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2-inch fresh ginger, sliced

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1/2 pineapple (with skin), chopped

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5 cloves

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3/4 cup sugar

Instructions

1

Rinse the hibiscus petals, then simmer them with the water, ginger, and cloves for 20 minutes until deeply colored.

2

Add the chopped pineapple (skins add fragrance) and simmer 5 minutes more.

3

Strain out the solids and sweeten the ruby liquid with sugar to taste while still warm.

4

Chill thoroughly and serve over plenty of ice, garnished with pineapple if you like.

Lagos street and party tradition.

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🌏 While it simmers — know your destination

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Lagos. A megacity that argues about jollof rice with real passion.

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Nigeria. West Africa’s giant, home of the great jollof rivalry.

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Africa. Fifty-four countries of tagines, stews, and fire-kissed grills.

The story behind this dish is up top — worth a read while the pot works.

👩‍🍳

Richard Moore & Kelsey Tucker

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