On June 19, 1865, in Galveston, TX, thousands of enslaved people were finally informed that slavery had been abolished—two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. Today, many Black families celebrate Juneteenth by spending the day together cooking and eating. “The definitive Juneteenth trinity is barbecue, watermelon and a red drink,” says culinary historian Adrian Miller, author of Soul Food: The Surprising Story of an American Cuisine, One Plate at a Time. The color red is key, he says: It symbolizes the blood shed from African ancestors. Because the holiday started in Texas, local Big Red soda is a go-to, but homemade red drinks like this one are also a good option.…
