Juneteenth: A Celebration for All Americans

Juneteenth, observed each year on June 19th, commemorates the moment in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally learned they were free—over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed. What began as a regional remembrance has grown into a national celebration of freedom, resilience, and progress.

Juneteenth is rooted in African American history, but it belongs to all Americans. It is a day to honor the strength of those who endured slavery and the legacy of those who built a vibrant culture through adversity. It reminds us that freedom is a shared American ideal—and that none of us are free until all of us are free.

 🎉 This Year, We Celebrate Through Food, Drink, and Culture

We’re honoring Juneteenth with a joyful culinary tribute—featuring soul food classics, African American-inspired cocktails, and wines from Black-owned wineries. These flavors tell a story of heritage, community, and excellence.

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 🍽️ Featured Recipes

🔴 Southern Fried Chicken & Red Velvet Waffles

Ingredients:

4 bone-in chicken thighs and 4 drumsticks
2 cups buttermilk + 1 tsp hot sauce (for marinade)
2 cups flour + 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, salt, pepper
Oil for frying

For Waffles:

2 cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup cocoa powder
2 tsp baking powder
1 cup buttermilk
½ cup melted butter
2 eggs
Red food coloring

Instructions:

1. Marinate chicken in buttermilk and hot sauce overnight.
2. Coat in seasoned flour, then fry at 350°F until golden and crispy.
3. For waffles, mix dry ingredients, then stir in wet. Cook in waffle iron until crisp.
4. Serve chicken on waffles, drizzle with honey or hot sauce.

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 🥬 Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey

Ingredients:

2 lbs collard greens, stemmed and chopped
1 smoked turkey leg
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic
1 tsp red pepper flakes
4 cups chicken stock

Instructions:

1. Sauté onions and garlic until soft.
2. Add turkey leg and stock, simmer 30 minutes.
3. Add greens and cook until tender (45 min to 1 hour). Season with salt and vinegar.

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🍓 Strawberry Hibiscus Cobbler

Ingredients:

2 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced
½ cup dried hibiscus petals (steeped in 1 cup boiling water, strained)
½ cup sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
1 cup biscuit mix
½ cup milk
¼ cup butter, melted

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Combine berries, hibiscus tea, sugar, and lemon juice in a baking dish.
3. Mix biscuit dough and drop over berries. Drizzle with melted butter.
4. Bake for 35–40 minutes.

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🍹 Juneteenth Signature Cocktails

 🌺 Hibiscus Rum Punch

Ingredients:

2 cups chilled hibiscus tea
1 cup dark rum
½ cup orange juice
¼ cup lime juice
¼ cup grenadine

Mint and citrus slices

Instructions:

Mix all in a pitcher, serve over ice, and garnish with mint.

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🍉 Watermelon Bourbon Smash

Ingredients:

2 oz bourbon (Uncle Nearest recommended)
4 cubes fresh watermelon
½ oz lime juice
½ oz simple syrup

Mint

Instructions:

Muddle watermelon and mint. Add bourbon, lime juice, syrup, shake, and serve over crushed ice.

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 🥃 Juneteenth Old Fashioned

Ingredients:

2 oz Uncle Nearest 1856 Whiskey
1 sugar cube
2 dashes Angostura bitters

Orange peel

Instructions:

Muddle sugar and bitters with a splash of water. Add whiskey and ice, stir, and garnish with orange peel.

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🍷 Wines from Black-Owned Wineries

Celebrate with premium wines crafted by Black vintners and entrepreneurs:

McBride Sisters Collection (California/New Zealand)

Red Blend, Sparkling Brut Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc
Bold, accessible, and deeply committed to inclusion.

Brown Estate (Napa Valley)

Zinfandel, Petite Sirah
The first Black-owned estate winery in Napa, known for lush, fruit-forward wines.

Longevity Wines (Livermore Valley, CA)

Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay
Family-run and award-winning.

Abbey Creek Vineyard (Oregon)

Hip-hop infused wine experience from “The Grape Boss” Bertony Faustin.

Theopolis Vineyards (Anderson Valley, CA)

Petite Sirah, Symphony
Founded by a dynamic woman known as “Theo-Patra, Queen of the Vineyards.”