Juneteenth, an annual observance of the end of slavery in the United States following the Civil War, has been celebrated by Black American communities since 1865.

For 160 years, on June 19, people have gathered together to remember the significance of that day: when 2,000 Union troops finally reached Galveston Bay, the westernmost Confederate state of Texas, to spread the news President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which had been issued more than two years earlier, on Jan. 1, 1863.

These commemorations are marked with plenty of food, colorful fashions and music intended to lure people to the dance floor. However, a signature of the holiday is its go-to beverage, Red Drink.

Red Drink, or Red Drank, is not just one thing. 

It can be made with hibiscus or cola nuts, like the historic teas made by West Africans for ceremonies and special occasions hundreds of years ago. Or it can be a red berry-infused sipper, refreshing strawberry lemonade or a crisp and sweet red-colored soda. There might even be a delicious red fruit punch spiked with a bit of liquor.

Regardless of the specific recipe or ingredients, “Red Drink has always been a part of the Black diaspora tradition,” Nicole Taylor, the James Beard Award-nominated food writer and author of Watermelon & Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations told Wine Enthusiast. “Wherever the middle passage dropped us off, there’s evidence of the ritual of drinking a red drink.”

Given the adaptability of the tradition, we decided to round up some of our favorite crimson-hued cocktails for the holiday. From traditional Caribbean-style sorrel (i.e. hibiscus) and specially-designed cocktails for a crowd to creative riffs, like strawberry daiquiris and fun red berry blends, consider mixing up these 13 drinks to celebrate Juneteenth this year.

Traditional Riffs

Sorrel Drink

This NA sorrel drink recipe (also known as “bissap”), adapted from the book The Rise by Marcus Samuelsson with Osayi Endolynis, is a pretty standard version of the Caribbean holiday classic. A combination of dried sorrel (or hibiscus petals) is boiled and steeped with ginger and sugar in two quarts of water. Jazz it up with rum or red wine, if you want.

Hibiscus Sangria

This vibrantly-colored hibiscus sangria, already red from two bottles worth of red wine, gets its dose of Juneteenth tradition—and vibrant hue—from flor de jamaica, a species of hibiscus used to make a strikingly red infusion with a rich citrus flavor. Meanwhile, blanco tequila and triple sec ensure this sangria delivers a solid kick.

Hibiscus Margarita

Not only does this drink feature hibiscus as its main ingredient, it hails from Texas, making it all the more thematic for Juneteenth. This hibiscus margarita recipe from The Capri in Marfa combines the flower, brewed into tea form, with tequila, natural sweeteners and a mix of citrus.

Strawberry Daiquiri

Essentially strawberry lemonade for grownups, this modern take on the strawberry daiquiri gets a nuanced lift from bitter Fernet and earthy mezcal.

Scarlet Twists

St. Charles Punch

An updated variation of the house cocktail once served at the historic St. Charles Hotel in New Orleans, St. Charles Punch combines Ruby Port and Cognac with fresh lemon juice, house-made lemon-orange oleo syrup and a couple of dashes Angostura bitters. It’s a light, refreshing sipper that can easily be scaled up for a crowd, if you wish.

Raspberry 75

Swapping out the strawberries for its tart berry brethren, the Raspberry 75 gets its rosy color from shaking its namesake with vodka, lime juice and simple syrup, before getting topped off with Prosecco.

The Midnight Sun Dance

Though inspired by the Arctic Circle at the height of summer, the blood-red Midnight Sun Dance makes an equally compelling case for Juneteenth with its bright red look from strawberry preserves. The sweet blend is balanced with vermouth, Sherry, aged rum and dry sparkling wine.

Strawberry Moon

Inspired by the full Strawberry Moon, which just so happens to occur just before Juneteenth, this berry-filled beverage combines fresh fruit with white rum or mezcal, Grand Marnier, lemon juice, simple syrup and egg white whipped in a dry-shaker to create what essentially becomes a grown-up strawberry milkshake.

Batched Cocktails

Red Is a Flavor

Deniseea Head of Chicken & Champagne created her signature Red Is a Flavor Juneteenth cocktail to celebrate the “love, dominance and passion” Black Americans have demonstrated throughout history. The batched drink features white wine (or red, if you prefer), frozen strawberry mixer, Cognac and a blend of red fruits in a vibrant party punch. 

Hibiscus Punch Royale

This large-format Hibiscus Punch Royale combines aged rum and fresh lime with tart hibiscus syrup topped with a hefty pour of chilled Cava to give it a celebratory lift. 

Simply Red Sangria

This Simply Red Sangria is essentially a margarita hybrid. Made with tequila, red wine, triple sec, citrus and a bevy of spices, it recalls Celestial Seasonings’ hibiscus-based Red Zinger Tea, which enjoyed its greatest popularity in the 1980s.

Mississippi Bourbon Punch

Another crowd-appropriate mix is this colorful Mississippi Bourbon Punch. The recipe—which also features two bottles of dry white wine, grenadine and cranberry, orange and lime juices—is easy peasy for 12 to 14 guests.

The E.P.C.

The E.P.C., which stands for Equal Parts Cocktail, is another great batch cocktail for those who want to plan ahead. Combining white rum, Aperol, lime juice and pineapple juice, it gets its ruby tone and Juneteenth vibes from house-made strawberry syrup.

More Black Beverage Coverage

• These are the best Black-owned wine shops to support from coast to coast.
• Get to know the most influential Black-owned wineries in the U.S.
• What it’s really like to be a Black wine professional.
• “What I’m trying to do is create an ecosystem”: Black culinary excellence On Juneteenth and beyond.
• Brooklyn’s first Black-owned Champagne brand is breaking barriers.

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