Red Food And Drinks For Juneteenth
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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.
Celebrations of Juneteenth often involve African American communities coming together for gatherings with friends and family. These events typically include a delicious spread of cherished soul food recipes. From watermelon salad to red velvet cake and hibiscus tea, we see red food influences on soul food for Juneteenth.
Why is Juneteenth food red?
Juneteenth celebrations bring together friends and family for joyous gatherings with a particular emphasis on red foods and drinks as a way to pay tribute to the ancestors.
The color red carries deep symbolic meaning, representing the bloodshed of our African American ancestors who suffered and sacrificed for the freedoms we cherish today. It’s a powerful reminder of their struggles and the resilience of the Black community in the face of adversity.
Red Juneteenth food
African food culture and traditions greatly influence what African Americans eat today. In many West African cultures, red symbolizes strength, spirituality, life, and death.
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 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.
Red drinks for Juneteenth
At Juneteenth celebrations, you’ll also find many beverages in strawberry and watermelon flavors. Even Big Red Cream Soda, a Texas specialty, still holds a special place at the table during Juneteenth gatherings. Traditional Juneteenth drinks include red tea, homemade red craft sodas, store-bought red sodas, and red Kool-Aid drinks.
What is the official drink of Juneteenth?
Red hibiscus tea is the iconic red drink steeped in Juneteenth history.
This popular beverage has significant historical ties to the holiday because of its red color and the use of hibiscus flowers, which are native to West Africa and are still used there today to make tea.
How to organize a Juneteenth celebration
Come together with your family and friends to enjoy a variety of Juneteenth recipes. You can also invite your guests to join in by bringing a dish from the Juneteenth menu. If you’re organizing a potluck, consider rewarding anyone who brings red food for Juneteenth.
During your gathering, be sure to engage in conversations and activities focused on justice, reform, voting rights, and equal rights for Black people.
Have you ever tried Juneteenth red foods? Let me know which ones you’ll be trying this year.
Hungry for more?
Along with Black food bloggers like myself and The Soul Food Pot recipes, you can also check out the illustrated book Juneteenth Is, which includes recipe source acknowledgments to my red food recipes, and Nicole A. Taylor’s Juneteenth book Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations.
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
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