We’re getting ready to celebrate Juneteenth, and no self-respecting Juneteenth party can go down without a traditional strawberry soda drink.
This is also a great summer drink to serve at your upcoming cookout!
Grab the recipe down below!
Juneteenth Strawberry Soda
If you’re not familiar with Juneteenth, let me give you a quick run-through.
Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation into law on January 1, 1863, proclaiming, “that all persons held as slaves are, and henceforward shall be free.”
However, the news didn’t reach everyone at the same time.
This African-American holiday commemorates the emancipation of the remaining enslaved African-Americans held in the Confederacy held under Union control.
In short, the holiday celebrates and memorializes the date June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger read orders in Galveston, Texas, that all formerly enslaved people in Texas were pronounced free.
If that’s not reason enough to celebrate, I don’t know what is!
What You Will Need To Make Our Juneteenth Strawberry Soda:
Fresh Strawberries. For this recipe, I use fresh strawberries to make a quick strawberry syrup. I also use sliced strawberries as a garnish for the drink. Psst! Adding slices of fresh watermelon to this traditional Juneteenth drink is not a bad idea, either. Just saying.
Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice. The addition of freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a splash of citrus flavor that balances out the sweetness of this celebratory drink.
Strawberry Soda. While you can use water to make our delicious strawberry Juneteenth drink, how about adding some fizz? Instead of using water to make the strawberry lemonade use your favorite strawberry or lemon-lime soda, or if you want to cut down on calories, use tonic water, seltzer, sparkling, or mineral water. The choice is 100% yours!
Sprigs of Fresh Mint. There’s nothing like adding fresh mint! For one, it gives the drink that pop of green color. Adding fresh mint also adds the refreshing kiss of herbaceousness, that only mint can bring.
Ice. Serving drinks in the heat of summer without ice is like giving an empty glass to a thirsty person. Don’t be a monster, serve this drink with ice!
How to make a Juneteenth Strawberry Soda
Ingredients:
8-10 Servings
- 1 liter strawberry soda or lemon-lime soda
- 1/2 cup homemade strawberry syrup
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 pint of fresh strawberries, washed and sliced in half
- fresh sprigs of mint
- ice
Sidebar: To create an adult cocktail, add 1 1/2 – 2 cups of:
- vodka
- strawberry-infused vodka
- lemon or limón-infused vodka
- strawberry spritz (made with strawberry and coconut flavors)
- white rum
- gin
- or strawberry liqueur
Directions:
- To a large pitcher, add strawberry soda and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Stir in the homemade strawberry syrup (see recipe below), fresh strawberries, and fresh sprigs of mint.
- Taste and adjust sweetness, and tartness, to your liking. You can add more or less strawberry simple syrup or lemon juice as you see fit.
- Pour into glasses filled with ice.
- Garnish with fresh strawberries and fresh sprigs of mint.
- Serve.
Homemade Strawberry Syrup Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 cup of water
- 1 cup of fresh strawberries cleaned with the stems removed and cut in quarters
- 2 tablespoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice
Directions:
- Place a saucepan over med-high heat and add water, sugar, prepared strawberries, and lemon juice.
- When the mixture begins to boil, use a fork or potato masher to mash the strawberries to release the juices.
- Allow the mixture to boil for an additional minute and remove from heat.
- Place a tight-fitting lid onto the saucepan and allow the strawberry syrup to steep for 10 minutes.
- Using a fine-mesh sieve, strain the syrup into a Mason jar. Store in the fridge for up to three days.
Now that you have the recipe go ahead and make yourself your own refreshing and delicious Juneteenth Strawberry Soda!
Try these Strawberry related drinks:
Strawberry Pineapple Margarita
Strawberry + Lemon Mint Kettle Iced Tea
Strawberry, Oregano & Grapefruit Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1- liter strawberry soda or lemon-lime soda
- 1 1/2 cups strawberry lemonade mix
- 1 cup homemade strawberry syrup
- 1 pint fresh strawberries
- fresh sprigs of mint
- ice
Instructions
- Make the strawberry lemonade by combining the strawberry lemonade mix with the strawberry soda or lemon-lime soda.
- Stir in the homemade strawberry syrup (see recipe below), fresh strawberries, and fresh sprigs of mint.
- Taste and adjust sweetness to your liking.
- Pour into glasses filled with ice.
- Garnish with fresh strawberries and fresh sprigs of mint.
- Serve.
Diane C. says
This was so delicious & refreshing on a hot day! Thank you!
T Worthey says
Diane, I’m glad you enjoyed it! It’s such a refreshing drink!
Twyla says
You might be surprised to know that Tonic Water has as almost as much sugar as Coke. It’s definitely not low-calorie!
T Worthey says
Thanks for the feedback. I use Fever Tree Indian Tonic Water which has 7.1 grams of sugar per 100 ml, and a serving size of coke has 10.6 grams of sugar per 100 ml. The Fever Tree Indian Surprisingly Light Tonic Water has 2.9 grams of sugar per 100 ml.