Damien Stewart so loved the sorrel blended at Christmas time by his grandmother, Ruby Mae McLeod, he decided to not only patent her recipe but also to create a liqueur business from it.

Damien and his wife Tammy along with her sister Keisha and husband, Dave Stewart (no relation) joined forces to establish Roselli Jamaica. The foursome furnished the special ingredients of Grandma Ruby’s recipe to the Scientific Research Council (SRC), which in turn standardised the formula to create the beverage. The SRC also acted as the manufacturer of the finished product.

Launched last month, Roselli authentic sorrel liqueur — which incidentally takes its name from the scientific name for the sorrel plant — is currently available in select boutique stores and coffee shops — Pastry Passions in Sovereign Centre, Nell’s Café in Manor Park, Cannonball Cafés, the Deli at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, TGIF’s, and all Things Jamaican locations. The bottled product comes in three sizes — 50 millilitres, 250 millilitres and gallon.

Company co-director Keisha Stewart shares with Thursday Food that in light of the recent scientific and health benefits attributed to sorrel consumption, a great opportunity presented itself to market the liqueur, not only for the Yuletide season but year-round. She proudly declares that to her knowledge, no similar sorrel alcoholic beverage exists on the market. As for its taste, Mrs Stewart says it’s received the thumbs up from those who’ve sipped it, but mum’s the word when pressed for the ingredients. “It’s Grandma’s secret,” was all a chuckling Keisha would offer. Our suggestion is that you try some for the New Year and pack a bottle or two for visiting relatives and friends ahead of their departure.

For more information on Roselli Sorrel Liqueur send an e-mail to: info@rosellijamaica.com or join the Roselli Jamaica Facebook group.