Zobo is the deep crimson drink brewed from dried Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces, a staple of West African households for generations. In Nigeria it is called zobo, in Senegal and much of Francophone West Africa bissap, in Ghana sobolo, in Egypt karkadeh, and across Latin America agua de jamaica. Wherever it is made, the heart of it is the same: whole dried hibiscus steeped with fruit and spice into a vivid, refreshing drink. It is poured at weddings, naming ceremonies, festive gatherings and ordinary family dinners alike, and for many people it is simply the taste of home.
Zobo's flavour is bold, tart and floral, a little like cranberry or pomegranate, with a clean, refreshing finish and a colour so deep it almost glows. It is nothing like a flat, sugary cordial. Cofa Original is smooth and balanced, letting the hibiscus shine alongside real pineapple, apple, dates and warming spice. Cofa Ginger Rush takes that same base and adds a generous kick of real ginger for more fire and warmth. Both are made with no added or refined sugar, so the sweetness is gentle and natural, coming only from real fruit and dates.
We brew Cofa in small batches in Yorkshire using whole dried hibiscus calyces and just five other real ingredients: pineapple, apple, ginger, cloves and dates. That is the whole recipe. There are no concentrates, no artificial colours, flavourings or preservatives, and no added or refined sugar. Small batches mean we can keep a close eye on quality at every stage, from sourcing the hibiscus to the final can, so every bottle tastes the way zobo should: fresh, vivid and full of character. Cofa is naturally vegan and caffeine free.
Zobo is at its best served well chilled over plenty of ice. Add a slice of orange or lime and a sprig of mint and you have a stunning alcohol-free spritz for guests. It makes a brilliant base for mocktails, and it pairs beautifully with spiced, grilled and West African food, where its tartness cuts through rich, savoury flavours. In colder months you can warm it gently and serve it like a spiced fruit punch. However you serve it, pour it into a clear glass: the colour alone makes it a talking point.
Across West Africa, zobo is a drink of hospitality and celebration. It appears at weddings and christenings, at Christmas and Eid, at parties and at the everyday family table, often made in large batches and shared generously. Recipes are passed down and quietly argued over, with every household convinced its own blend of fruit and spice is the best. Cofa was born from that tradition: made by people who grew up drinking zobo and wanted to share the real thing, brewed here in the UK with the same care, rather than a watered-down imitation.
Cofa is ready to drink, so there is no steeping or straining: just chill and pour. You can buy Cofa zobo online with delivery across the UK, or find us in independent shops and cafes through our store locator. New to zobo? The smooth, balanced Original is the place to start; if you like a bit of fire, reach for Ginger Rush.
Zobo is a traditional West African drink brewed from dried hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) with fruit and spice. It is known as bissap in Senegal, sobolo in Ghana, karkadeh in Egypt and agua de jamaica in Latin America. Cofa makes a ready to drink version in Yorkshire.
Zobo is deep ruby in colour with a bold, tart, floral flavour, a little like cranberry or pomegranate. Cofa Original is smooth and balanced with real fruit and warming spice, while Ginger Rush adds a generous kick of real ginger.
No. Cofa zobo is naturally alcohol free and caffeine free, and it is vegan. It is made with real hibiscus, fruit and spice and no added or refined sugar.
Zobo is best served well chilled over plenty of ice, with a slice of orange, lime or a sprig of mint. It makes a striking alcohol-free spritz, a base for mocktails, and pairs well with spiced and grilled food. It can also be warmed gently in cold weather.
You can buy Cofa zobo online with UK-wide delivery, and from independent shops and cafes across the UK. Use our store locator to find your nearest stockist.