Christmas in Jamaica means sorrel steeping with ginger, the smell of fruit cake in the oven and a table loaded with ham, rice and gungo peas. It also means crowded supermarkets in December. This list covers everything you need for a traditional Jamaican Christmas, grouped by recipe so you can order it all online and have it delivered to your door anywhere in Jamaica.
1. Sorrel drink
- Fresh or dried sorrel (fresh sorrel is seasonal from late November)
- Fresh ginger
- Pimento (allspice) berries and cloves
- Sugar, lime, and white rum or red wine if you add it
Short on time? Ready-made sorrel drinks and sorrel mixes are in our Beverages & Drinks range.
2. Jamaican fruit cake (black cake)
- Raisins, prunes, currants and mixed peel (soak them early)
- Flour, brown sugar, butter and eggs
- Browning — the essential ingredient for the deep colour
- Mixed spice, nutmeg, vanilla and almond essence
- Red label wine and white rum for soaking
3. Christmas ham
- Ham (bone-in or picnic)
- A glaze — sorrel or pineapple-based glazes are a Jamaican favourite
- Cloves, brown sugar and pineapple rings
4. Christmas dinner sides
- Rice and gungo (pigeon) peas with coconut milk, thyme and scallion
- Potato salad: potatoes, carrots, mayonnaise, eggs, onion
- Curry goat or oxtail: curry powder, pimento, scotch bonnet, garlic
- Chicken: all-purpose seasoning, jerk or browning for baked chicken
Find curry powder, pimento, browning and scotch bonnet sauces in Seasonings & Spices, and see our Jamaican seasonings guide.
5. Christmas morning and visitors
- Ackee and saltfish ingredients, hard dough bread, Blue Mountain coffee
- Juices, sodas and plenty of ice
- Snacks and crackers for guests (Snacks & Bakery)
- Paper plates, foil and cleaning supplies (Household & Cleaning)
Plan your order timing
Order dry goods and baking items in early December, then fresh items closer to the day. Delivery covers all fourteen parishes in Jamaica; check timing on our delivery page. Prices shown include GCT and you see the full total before paying.
Sending Christmas to family in Jamaica?
If you live abroad, build the order online and we deliver it to your family's door in Jamaica. A ready-made care package is the quickest option, or follow our care package guide.
