Juneteenth celebrations honor freedom and community with food, music, and drinks. This Jubilee Punch cocktail adds a festive touch to any Juneteenth gathering.
It combines sweet and tangy flavors that most folks will enjoy. The Juneteenth Jubilee Punch mixes red hibiscus tea, fresh strawberries, and lemonade with optional rum for a refreshing drink that honors the traditional red beverages served during this important holiday.
The bright red color? It’s not just pretty—it’s a symbol of strength and resilience, a nod to those who fought for freedom.
This punch is easy to make and serves a crowd. You can prep it ahead, and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions taste great.
Juneteenth Jubilee Punch Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- Large punch bowl (2-gallon capacity)
- Long-handled wooden or plastic spoon for mixing
- Ladle: For serving.
- Ice bucket
- Measuring cups and jiggers
- Knife and cutting board
- Citrus juicer or reamer
- Blender (optional for puréeing fruit)
- Punch glasses or mason jars for serving
Ingredients
- 4 cups hibiscus tea brewed strong and chilled
- 2 cups Rum
- 2 cups black tea brewed and chilled
- 2 cups watermelon juice fresh if possible
- 1 cup fresh strawberries sliced
- 1 cup fresh blackberries
- 2 oranges sliced into rounds
- 2 lemons sliced into rounds
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup honey or simple syrup made with sorghum
- 2 cups red soda such as strawberry or cherry
- 2 cups ginger beer
- Ice for serving
- Fresh mint for garnish
Instructions
- Brew the hibiscus and black teas separately. Let them steep for about 5-7 minutes, then chill completely in the fridge—give it at least 2 hours.
- Juice the watermelon by blending chunks and straining through a fine mesh sieve. It’s a little messy but worth it.
- In your punch bowl, pour in the chilled teas, watermelon juice, and lemon juice.
- Add honey or sorghum syrup and stir until it’s all dissolved.
- Toss in the strawberries, blackberries, orange rounds, and lemon rounds.
- Right before serving, add the red soda and ginger beer so you keep that nice fizz.
- Gently stir with your long-handled spoon to mix everything up.
- Scoop into glasses over ice and top with a sprig of mint for garnish.
- If you’re making the adult version, pour in the bourbon or rum after step 5.
Notes
Must Have Ingredients
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Tasting Notes
This Juneteenth Jubilee Punch is bright, refreshing, and not too sweet. The hibiscus tea gives it that gorgeous ruby color and a hint of floral flavor.
Watermelon and strawberries keep things fruity and seasonal. They add a natural sweetness without making it taste like candy.
Citrus brings a tangy edge that cuts through the sweetness. It’s the kind of punch you want to keep sipping, honestly.
Flavor Profile:
- First sip: Sweet watermelon and berry notes
- Mid-palate: Floral hibiscus with citrus brightness
- Finish: Clean, slightly tart with subtle spice
The ginger sneaks in a little warmth at the end. If you like a spicier kick, don’t be shy—add a bit more ginger.
Over ice, the punch gets extra refreshing, especially after chilling for an hour or two. The flavors really come together the longer it sits.
The non-alcoholic version is fruity and light. If you add rum or bourbon, you get a bit more depth and warmth, but it doesn’t overpower the fruit.
Substitute
Don’t have all the ingredients for the Juneteenth Jubilee Punch? No problem!
You can still enjoy this festive cocktail with some simple swaps.
For the base spirit, you could swap bourbon for dark rum or brandy. Each brings its own character, but you’ll still get that rich flavor profile.
No fresh strawberries on hand? Frozen ones work just as well—just thaw them before muddling.
Honestly, raspberries or blackberries are fair game, too, if you want a different berry vibe.
If you’re out of ginger beer, ginger ale gives a milder taste. Or, club soda with a dash of ginger syrup will do in a pinch.
Going non-alcoholic? Skip the bourbon and splash in a little extra fruit juice instead.
Common Substitutions:
- Bourbon → Dark rum, brandy
- Fresh strawberries → Frozen strawberries, raspberries
- Ginger beer → Ginger ale, club soda + ginger syrup
- Mint → Basil (offers a different but complementary flavor)
- Simple syrup → Honey or agave nectar (use ¾ the amount)
If hibiscus tea’s nowhere to be found, cranberry juice brings a similar tartness and color. Pomegranate juice works too, if you’d rather go for something less tart.
