The mid-June heat doesn't move at all; it just sits on the hot sidewalk and waits for you to come outside. By two in the afternoon, the charcoal in the grill is barely gray and the food isn't ready, but the front porch is already full of people looking for a bit of shade. Nobody is thinking about the ribs yet. Instead, everyone is crowded around the red plastic cooler by the steps, watching the cold water drip down the side and waiting to see what's inside.
A big summer holiday doesn't start when the food is finally served; it starts the exact moment someone hands you a cold cup from this list of 17 Juneteenth drinks and you lean back to listen to the music.
Strawberry Orange Mocktail
I love watching the orange juice swirl into the red berries-it looks like a sunset in a glass. That little hit of fresh ginger? It's exactly what cools everyone down when we're all hiding under the trees.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Orange Mocktail
Cherry Lime Caipirinha Summer Cocktail
Don't be afraid to really crush those cherries with the brown sugar. It releases a deep, dark juice that is honestly addictive. With the sugar cane juice in there, it's got this grassy warmth that people end up sipping on for hours.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Lime Caipirinha Summer Cocktail
Homemade Strawberry Lemonade
Leo always wants to help me mash the fruit into a pulp. The secret is grating the lemon skin right into the pitcher-it creates this sharp, fresh scent that pulls people away from the grill and straight to the cooler for a classic Juneteenth refreshment.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Strawberry Lemonade
Non-Alcoholic Strawberry Daiquiri Recipe Without Mix
Forget the bottled mix. Blending frozen fruit gives you a thick, velvety slushy that's way better. Pro tip: add a tiny pinch of salt. It makes the strawberry flavor pop in a way that always draws a crowd to the porch during our celebrations.
Get the Recipe: Non-Alcoholic Strawberry Daiquiri Recipe Without Mix
Agua de Jamaica
This is my go-to for refreshing tea, especially for Juneteenth. I pour the dark red liquid over big blocks of ice right after the flowers finish boiling. Add a stick of cinnamon; that woodsy smell is what makes people feel welcome the second they step on the patio.
Get the Recipe: Agua de Jamaica
Strawberry Paloma Tequila Cocktail with Fresh Grapefruit Juice
Use the whole grapefruit and leave a few bits of peel in the juice-the sharp, earthy smell is unbeatable. If you want a real kick for the holiday, the spicy ginger beer provides that prickly burn that wakes up your mouth while you wait for the food.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Paloma Tequila Cocktail with Fresh Grapefruit Juice
Cheerwine Shandy
Pouring dark cherry soda against light yellow beer creates a thick, beautiful pink foam on top. Sour plum juice cuts through the deep sweetness, filling cups right as the backyard finally begins to smell like barbecue.
Get the Recipe: Cheerwine Shandy
Virgin Strawberry Watermelon Margarita Mocktail
I press coarse salt onto the edges of the cups so it shines under the bright midday sun. Mixing in a little honey keeps the blended watermelon thick and flavorful, which helps the first tray disappear before my hot dogs even touch the grate.
Get the Recipe: Virgin Strawberry Watermelon Margarita Mocktail
Starbucks Copycat Strawberry Acai Refresher
You might not expect green coffee bean powder to mix into white grape juice, but it's a great clean energy boost for a long Juneteenth afternoon. Toss in dried strawberries and let them soak up the liquid. They'll keep people coming back to the cooler all day.
Get the Recipe: Starbucks Copycat Strawberry Acai Refresher
Watermelon Margaritas
High-proof citrus juice is the key to cutting through the thick melon mash. It makes the drink look bright under the patio lights, and if you shake some chili powder onto the rim, you get a warm kick while the host cleans the grates.
Get the Recipe: Watermelon Margaritas
Frozen Strawberry Lemonade
There's something about seeing the frost cover the glass jar that makes everyone thirsty on a hot June 19th. I add a splash of apple cider to anchor the berries, making an icy treat that the kids flock to long before the cooking starts.
Get the Recipe: Frozen Strawberry Lemonade
Watermelon Juice With Lime
You will find that straining the black seeds leaves a lovely, light pink foam resting at the top of the jug. I always drop a stalk of lemongrass into the pot because it gives the simple melon juice a totally new smell that passes quickly from hand to hand.
Get the Recipe: Watermelon Juice With Lime
Raspberry Mocktail (The Vow)
Who would not love watching crushed berries turn the ice a bright red color at the bottom of the glass? Fresh sage leaves cut the heavy sweetness, giving people a cool drink to hold while waiting for the charcoal to get hot.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Mocktail (The Vow)
Shirley Temple Mocktail
It's a classic for a reason. Guests love watching the red syrup sink to the bottom to create that two-color look. Leave the stems on the maraschino cherries-it makes the soda feel special the second the first cars pull up to the Juneteenth party.
Get the Recipe: Shirley Temple Mocktail
Raspberry Mojito Mocktail
Take a wooden spoon and really press those mint leaves down-the whole kitchen will smell fresh and green. A tiny splash of vinegar adds a sharp, unexpected kick that makes this fun to pass around while the fire gets going.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Mojito Mocktail
Simply Southern Watermelon Lemonade Recipe
Picture the scene on the patio table: pressing big pieces of melon down makes a thick, dark juice that looks completely natural. Mixing in a cup of strong black tea gives the fruit a deeper flavor, emptying the first batch before the smoke from the grill even clears.
Get the Recipe: Simply Southern Watermelon Lemonade Recipe
Blueberry Raspberry Mocktail With Mint
There is nothing like seeing water drops run down the side of a glass pitcher in the heat. Smashing extra blackberries into the mix adds a rich, deep fruit flavor that keeps guests happy while they wait for the food and talk about the history of the day.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Raspberry Mocktail With Mint
Go track down the big pitcher, because people are already walking up the steps.
