06/19/2026
The unofficial but official drink of Juneteenth is the “Red Drink.” The red color honors the blood shed by enslaved people during the transatlantic slave trade, while also symbolizing resilience, strength, and joy.
The Red Drink has deep roots in West Africa, where pitchers of red beverages, once brewed from native reddish kola nuts or hibiscus tea, have long graced tables during celebrations and gatherings. Over time, the recipe evolved based on the ingredients available to enslaved Africans and their descendants in America. Throughout history, it has been crafted using everything from strawberries, red lemonade, and cherry soda to classic Kool-Aid to name a few.
Today, we honor the lives and legacy of those who came before us by using our bulk hibiscus tea leaves to brew our own Red Drink. Happy Juneteenth! We hope you take some time today to get involved and connect with your community at local events.