Skip to main content
Epicurious

Honeysuckle Red Drink Punch

Image may contain Drink Beverage Juice Cocktail and Alcohol
Photographs by Mamadi Doumbouya, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Shannon Maldonado

Omar Tate, chef-owner of the pop-up dinner series Honeysuckle, draws on his childhood Kool-Aid-making memories and a bit of grown-up kitchen chemistry for his version of the traditional Juneteenth Red Drink. It’s a blend of sugar, citric acid, and powdered dried strawberries and cherries. “It’s a natural version of Kool-Aid,” he says of the tangy-sweet booze-free beverage. “I serve it to my pop-up dinner guests in individual powder packets to stir for themselves as an exercise in destigmatizing Black food traditions.”

Recipe information

  • Yield

    8–10 Servings

Ingredients

2 oz. freeze-dried strawberries (about 3 cups)
1¼ oz. freeze-dried cherries (about 1 cup)
1 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. plus 1½ tsp. citric acid
Pinch of kosher salt

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Process strawberries, cherries, sugar, citric acid, and salt in a food processor until finely ground, about 1 minute.

    Step 2

    Pour 10 cups water into a large pot or bowl. Whisking constantly, sprinkle in powder; whisk until sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Strain into a pitcher.

    Step 3

    Pour into ice-filled glasses to serve.

    Step 4

    Do ahead: Powder can be made 1 month ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.

TagsPitcher DrinkBeveragesPunchCold DrinkSoul FoodAmericanStrawberryBerryFruitCherryStone FruitSummerEasyQuickNonalcoholicJuneteenthFourth of JulyMemorial DayLabor DayBon Appétit
Read More
Golden Hour
Pleasantly bitter Suze pairs with ginger syrup, sparkling wine, and a piece of candied ginger that fizzes and bubbles from the bottom of the glass.
Matcha-Mango Chia Pudding
Featuring a bright layer of sweet mango, these colorful chia puddings are worth waking up early for. Make them ahead of time for a quick breakfast treat.
Cranberry-Maple Mule
This big-batch cocktail made with ginger beer, cranberry juice, fresh lime, and a spiced maple simple syrup makes the perfect low-alcohol holiday drink.
The Iciest Strawberry Daiquiri
Using frozen strawberries means no need for ice cubes. White rum adds just enough booze and fresh lime juice, bright acidity.
Matcha-Berry Frozen Yogurt
Froyo for one, made in a blender and topped with a crackly magic shell.
Sake-Grapefruit Fizz
This light and drinkable cocktail pairs the bittersweet flavor of grapefruit with botanical gin and sparkling sake for a bubbly finish.
Caramel Apple Monkey Bread
This irresistible fall treat is studded with spiced apples and draped in cider caramel.
Coconut Tempeh Larb
This riff on the Laotian classic comes together in 20 minutes.