Juneteenth began as a celebration of the emancipation day of enslaved African Americans. Today, this federal holiday reminds us of the resilience and determination of a nation of Black people.
Why is Juneteenth food red?
For this reason, some of the foods eaten on Juneteenth are red. Red is symbolic of the bloodshed of our Black ancestors. They did not get to taste the freedoms we savor today.
What food is served on Juneteenth, and why is it important?
African food culture and traditions greatly influence what African Americans eat today. In many West African cultures, red symbolizes strength, spirituality, life, and death.
From okra to beans, yams, melons, and hibiscus tea, and red drinks. We see native African influence in African American soul food and during times of celebration and gathering like on Juneteenth.
What is Juneteenth, and why is it celebrated?
Juneteenth is the official American holiday celebrating the day enslaved African Americans heard of the abolition of slavery in the U.S. It’s celebrated to memorialize African Americans’ freedom day and independence day.
Why is it called Juneteenth?
June 19th (Juneteenth) is recorded as the date enslaved Black Americans learned of their freedom. Many months after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation of January 1st, 1863.
The oldest known observances of Juneteenth in Texas are traced back to 1865 during the Reconstruction era, 2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
Black communities across Texas began holding celebrations to commemorate the end of slavery.
The observances moved to a larger scale in the 1980s and 1990s with the growth of the Juneteenth music festivals. June is also African American music month.
African Americans celebrate this day, which is also a reminder that there was a time in our history when slavery was abhorrently acceptable.
Why do you eat red food on Juneteenth?
Juneteenth celebrations would not be complete without Juneteenth red foods.
Juneteenth red foods have held a long-standing prominence to celebrate the end of slavery and the beginning of freedom.
These foods represent the holiday’s African American history, and the color red represents the bloodshed by formerly enslaved Americans during their time enslaved and struggle for freedom.
Some of the most common foods for Juneteenth celebrations include:
- Red soda water
- Hibiscus sweet tea
- Red velvet cake
- Red cabbage slaw
- Watermelon salad
- Watermelon frozen treats
- Soul food BBQ chicken
- Juneteenth BBQ foods
What is red soda water?
Soda water is carbonated water (seltzer). Red soda water is carbonated water flavored with either watermelon or strawberry as part of a Juneteenth feast!
While Juneteenth has grown to include celebrating African-American culture and heritage, Juneteenth red food and drinks have always been a part of the jubilee day festivities.
Juneteenth red foods are not only delicious, but they are also symbolic. Red is one of the primary colors used by African Americans to celebrate Black History.
So when you celebrate Juneteenth, make sure to celebrate with Juneteenth red foods in African American style and tradition.
No matter if you’re a Black person or any other culture delighting in the Juneteenth national independence day festivities!
Ingredients for Juneteenth watermelon red soda
- 1 cup of watermelon syrup (I used Monin red watermelon syrup HERE)
- 3 ½ cups of lemon-lime soda
- 3 ½ cups of sparkling water
- 1 cup of ginger ale soda
- ¾ cup of watermelon, chopped
- ¾ cup of strawberries, chopped
- ¾ cup of blueberries
- 4 cups of ice (optional)
Instructions for Juneteenth watermelon red soda
- Add the watermelon syrup, lemon-lime soda, sparkling water, and ginger ale to a large pitcher or punch bowl.
- Gently stir to combine.
- Then add the chopped fruit to the soda mixture.
- Optionally add 4 cups of ice to the pitcher, serve this Juneteenth watermelon soda in cups or glass tumblers, and enjoy!
Juneteenth red foods FAQs
What is the history of Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is a celebration that originated in Texas, the oldest known celebration to honor the ending of slavery in the United States.
The day commemorates June 19th, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas. The troops were ordered to announce and enforce the two-year-old Emancipation Proclamation, which declared enslaved Black people in the rebellious states were free.
What is the history of Juneteenth food?
Juneteenth food is usually associated with traditional Southern dishes such as barbecue, potato salad, cornbread, greens, and sweet tea.
Since as far South as Texas, Juneteenth marks the end of slavery, so it only fits that the food served is associated with Southern cuisine.
For example, Juneteenth is celebrated in Texas with red barbecue sauce meat and briskets cooked outdoors on grills, smokers, and open fire pits.
What Black folks’ food can you make for Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is a celebration commemorating when enslaved Black people were informed that they were free.
This is a celebratory day and a very happy occasion. So why not have some fun food to celebrate with?
What traditional food is served on Juneteenth?
Here’s a short list of traditional Black folks’ food you can make for Juneteenth:
- Black folks smoked turkey legs
- Soul food BBQ chicken
- Black folks soul food Southern fried chicken
- Black folks chicken salad
- Southern potato salad
- Soul food deviled eggs
- Black folks Southern shrimp and grits
- Instant Pot oxtail recipe
Check out the complete list of Juneteenth menu ideas, from soul food main dishes to sides and desserts!
What do you serve at a Juneteenth party?
Juneteenth celebrations include a variety of traditional Black people’s food and drink, with an emphasis on red foods.
What are 10 red foods?
Some Juneteenth traditional red foods include:
- Red soda or punch
- Red beans and rice
- Tomato and watermelon salad
- Red cabbage slaw
- Sweet hibiscus tea
- Cranberry sauce cornbread
- Homemade watermelon ice cream
- Rhubarb strawberry pie
- Red velvet cake
- Juneteenth BBQ foods: chicken, ribs, sausage, beef brisket
Or, many people enjoy traditional Southern dishes for Juneteenth:
- Southern fried chicken
- Black-eyed peas
- Southern-style coleslaw
- Baked macaroni and cheese
- Southern sweet tea
- Homemade cornbread
- Shrimp and grits
- Sweet potato pie
- Soul food apple pie
- Banana pudding
Is red velvet cake for Juneteenth?
Red velvet cake is the official dessert of Juneteenth.
Its popularity was boosted during the Juneteenth red food celebrations due to its red color.
This cake has traditionally been served as soul food on holidays such as Christmas, Easter, and even Valentine’s Day. So it doesn’t seem out of place to offer it on Juneteenth.
Did Black people create red velvet cake?
What’s the story behind red velvet cake? Did Black folks invent it?
Red velvet cake is considered to be soul food of the South!
Because like most Southern cuisine that originated in the 1800s, red velvet cake is believed to also be of African-American origin.
What is the official drink of Juneteenth?
What drink is synonymous with Juneteenth? Red hibiscus sweet tea for two reasons.
Simply because the beverage is red and hibiscus flowers are native to West Africa. A popular drink still made there today steeped in rich history.
What does strawberry soda have to do with Juneteenth?
Red soda or red soda water are standard Juneteenth red drinks. In addition, at Juneteenth celebrations, you’ll see beverages in red strawberry or watermelon flavors.
What foods or drinks might you see at a Juneteenth celebration?
Red hibiscus drink (hibiscus tea) is a popular drink still made in West Africa today.
However, since hibiscus flowers to make tea have not always been easily accessible in the U.S. Easy to get strawberry soda became a red drink staple for celebrating Juneteenth.
Along with Black food bloggers like myself and The Soul Food Pot recipes, you can also check out Nicole A Taylor’s Juneteenth book Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations.
Why is Big Red only sold in Texas?
Big Red is the original red cream soda that was previously only distributed in Texas until the 1970s.
Today, Big Red is distributed by Dr. Pepper with a national reach outside of The Lone Star State.
What are the symbols of Juneteenth?
The most significant symbol of Juneteenth can be found on the Juneteenth flag.
The curved line on the flag under the bursting star represents a new horizon of opportunity and promise for Black Americans.
What are the official colors of Juneteenth?
Red, white, and blue.
Why is the Juneteenth flag blue and red?
The red, white, and blue colors in the Juneteenth flag represent that enslaved African Americans and that their descendants are all Americans.
Why are Juneteenth colors red, black, and green?
Although the official Juneteenth flag colors are red, white, and blue to represent that enslaved Africans and their descendants are Americans. Many in the Black community have adopted the Pan-African flag colors.
Red, black, and green (RBG). Thes colors represent the blood, soil, and prosperity of Africa and African people.
How do you organize a Juneteenth celebration?
Celebrate with your family and friends with a variety of these Juneteenth recipes. In addition, you can ask your guests to participate by bringing a dish from the Juneteenth menu.
How do you honor Juneteenth, and what do people eat to celebrate?
If you’re planning a potluck celebration, reward anyone who brings red foods for Juneteenth!
Then at your gathering, remember to initiate discussions and movements around justice, reform, voting rights, and equal rights for Black people.
How do you celebrate Juneteenth where you live?
If you’re celebrating Juneteenth in the city, remember these iconic soul food restaurants where you can eat!
- St Louis, MO – Sweetie Pie’s restaurant
- Los Angeles, CA – Roscoe’s Chicken And Waffles
- Harlem, New York – Sylvia’s
Or, if you’re celebrating Juneteenth in your hometown, make sure to include an iconic African American recipe based on where you live!
Here’s a starting list:
- Alabama fried catfish
- Mississippi pot roast
- Harlem chicken and waffles
- Tidewater Virginia yock
- Texas BBQ
- South Carolina low country boil
- Carolina collard greens
- Georgia peach cobbler
- North Carolina sweet tea
- Louisiana shrimp and grits
What do you think of these Juneteenth recipes?
Which recipes are you going to make?
Have you had Juneteenth red foods?
Would you make them?
Comment below and lemme know. Then subscribe HERE for all the soul food!
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Ingredients
- 1 cup syrup I used Monin red watermelon syrup HERE
- 3 ½ cups lemon-lime soda
- 3 ½ cups sparkling water
- 1 cup ginger ale
- ¾ cup watermelon chopped
- ¾ cup strawberries chopped
- ¾ cup blueberries
- 4 cups ice optional
Instructions
- Add the watermelon syrup, lemon-lime soda, sparkling water, and ginger ale to a large pitcher or punch bowl.
- Gently stir to combine.
- Then add the chopped fruit to the soda mixture.
- Optionally add 4 cups of ice to the pitcher, serve this Juneteenth watermelon soda in cups or glass tumblers, and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
