Story Behind the drink
When my grandmother was 21, she left St. Lucia and moved to Toronto, Canada, in search of a better life. A registered nurse and a mother, she had to leave her young son behind due to the cost, saving up for years to bring him over. Life as a foreigner wasn’t easy, but she found joy in connecting with others, often inviting co-workers and church friends to celebrate the holidays with her. Instead of buying gifts, she would make a bottle of sorrel to share, a drink that became her signature during Christmas.
I remember my first taste of sorrel—it was strange at first. Sweet, sour, and spicy all at once, it confused my taste buds. But sip after sip, it grew on me. Soon, it became my favorite request before visiting her. Grandma would always make two batches: one for me to enjoy on my visit, and one to take home.
When I turned 18, she gifted me a special bottle of sorrel with a twist—she’d added Caribbean rum. It was the perfect addition, and just when I thought sorrel couldn’t get better, it did.
Sorrel reminds me of my grandmother’s warmth, love, and her ability to turn simple things into something extraordinary. I want to share that feeling with others and inspire them to add a little spice to their lives—just like she did for me.
About the CEO
As a Canadian living in Taiwan, I’ve often found myself reflecting on the journey of my grandmother, who shared her love for sorrel with her community after moving to Canada from St. Lucia. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I found myself at a crossroads. Teaching online didn’t resonate with me, and I knew I had a deeper purpose to pursue. Inspired by my grandmother’s story and my desire to share the rich flavors of the Caribbean, I began handcrafting sorrel drinks in Taiwan.
Making sorrel has become my way of blending cultures, sharing warmth, and giving back. Taiwan and the global community have been incredibly good to me, and I believe in paying that forward. That’s why of all profits from my business are donated to 10% charity: water, supporting the mission to bring clean water to those in need. It’s my small way of contributing to a better world, one sip at a time.
At Saint Lewis Brewery, we believe in creating a positive impact beyond just our products. That’s why we’re proud to donate 10% of all profits to charity: water, a non-profit organization that brings clean, safe drinking water to people in developing countries.
We chose charity: water because we share core values of sustainability, community, and making the world a better place. Just as we craft our drinks with care using all-natural ingredients, charity: water carefully creates sustainable water systems that change lives.
Join us in making a difference. If you’d like to support this incredible cause directly, you can donate through their website by clicking here.
Together, we can help bring clean water to those who need it most, one bottle at a time.