Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom, to honor the unbreakable spirit of our community. Now a nationally recognized holiday, the Juneteenth neighborhood cookout, picnics and parades have become nationwide annual traditions. What better way to celebrate Black culture than joining family, neighbors and friends for delicious barbecue and refreshing cocktails, made exclusively from Black-owned spirits brands?
Not only are these liquor brands award-winning, they are also founded by Black entrepreneurs from across the African diaspora, who have found success in a space dominated by white, male-owned businesses. From rum to gin, there are a unique assortment of spirits on this list to suit everyone’s taste and compliment every menu.
Keep reading for 10 summery cocktails and classic drinks made with Black-owned spirits that can be poured and raised in honor of Juneteenth.
Sorel Hibiscus Mule
During a time when African and Indigenous people were not allowed to read or write, the recipe for sorrel (also known as “red drink”) was passed down through generations. Inspired by his Bajan heritage, Jackie Summers (the first Black American to receive a distiller’s license in the United States post-Prohibition) solidified sorrel’s legacy by creating the spiced hibiscus liqueur, Sorel. Now it is the most awarded liqueur of 2022.
Sorel Hibiscus Mule
Image: Courtesy of Sorel Official.
Sorel Hibiscus Mule
- 1 part Sorel
- 2 parts Dry Ginger Beer
- Squeeze of lime
- In a glass of choice, fill 3/4 of the way with ice.
- Add Sorel.
- Squeeze one lime wedge and drop into glass; top with chilled ginger beer.
- Garnish with lime.
Sorel Liqueur
Price: $42
Bundaberg Ginger Beer
Price: $8
Gran Coramino The Achiever
Unknown to most, comedian and unstoppable entrepreneur Kevin Hart is a tequila connoisseur. His passion inspired him to found Gran Coramino, an ultra-premium tequila brand, in partnership with 11th generation Tequila Maestro Juan Domingo Beckmann. The crystal clear Reposado Cristalino is slow-filtered for smoothness to preserve the unique aroma and flavor, resulting in a unique tasting experience of sweet milky vanilla, butterscotch note combined with spicy, floral and dark berry notes from the oak barrels.
Gran Coramino The Achiever
Image: Courtesy of Gran Coramino.
Gran Coramino The Achiever
- 2 oz Gran Coramino Cristalino
- 0.75 oz Lime Juice
- 0.5 oz Prickly Pear Juice
- 0.5 oz Crème de Coconut
- 2 dashes Orange Bitters
- In a cocktail shaker, add Gran Coramino Cristalino, lime juice, prickly pear juice, crème de coconut, and orange bitter.
- Add fresh ice, then shake and double strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with orange twist.
Gran Coramino
Price: $72
Hella Cocktail Co. Orange Bitters
Price: $20
Eric LeGrand Kentucky Bourbon LeGrand Whiskey Sour
This Kentucky bourbon was created by Eric LeGrand, a former college football defensive tackle who suffered life-altering paralysis 13 years ago while playing for Rutgers University. Today, LeGrand is now a businessman and inspiration to all. He officially launched his first-ever whiskey brand, with a goal of making a difference for those impacted by paralysis. LeGrand has made the promise to donate $5.20 (after his Rutgers football number “52”) of every single case sold to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, supporting those living with and impacted by paralysis by finding the cure for spinal cord injuries.
Eric LeGrand Kentucky Bourbon LeGrand Whiskey Sour
Image: Courtesy of LeGrand Whiskey.
Eric LeGrand Kentucky Bourbon LeGrand Whiskey Sour
- 2 oz Eric LeGrand Bourbon
- 0.5 oz lime juice
- 0.5 oz lemon juice
- 0.75 oz simple syrup
- In a shaker, combine ice and all ingredients.
- Shake then strain into glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a dash of egg white or aquafaba for froth.
Eric LeGrand Bourbon
Price: $46
Ten To One
Born and raised in the Caribbean, Marc Farrell has a deep appreciated for the heritage of rum and the role it plays in island culture. Inspired to build a rum brand that is “elevated and not exclusive,” he founded Ten To One, a high-quality spirit, grounded in authentic Caribbean culture. The award-winning rum is designed to challenge expectations and reinvigorate the way people taste, experience and talk about rum.
Ten To One
Image: Courtesy of Ten To One.
Ten To One
- 2oz Ten To One White Rum
- 0.75oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 0.5oz Coconut Simple Syrup
- 8–12 Fresh Mint Leaves
- Club Soda
- Mint Sprig Garnish
- Collins Glassware
- Add the mint, lime juice and simple syrup to a glass and gently muddle.
- Add the rum and fill the glass with ice.
- Top with club soda and stir gently.
- Garnish with a big mint sprig.
Ten To One White Rum
Price: $37
Ego Tequila Repo-Rita
Founded by Rika Kelly at the age of 24, Ego Tequila was the first Black woman-owned tequila brand in Texas, and the third in the country. The high-quality, 100% agave spirit is straight from the heart of Jalisco, Mexico, made using innovative and traditional techniques. The brand’s reposado tequila is rested in white oak whiskey barrels for 8 months and aged to perfection, resulting in an exceptionally smooth and complex rich-oak flavor profile to any cocktail.
Ego Tequila Repo-Rita
Image: Courtesy of Pronghorn EGO Tequila.
Ego Tequila Repo-Rita
- 1.5 oz. Ego Reposado
- 1 oz. Lime Juice
- .75 oz. Agave Syrup
- Add all ingredients to a shaker tin.
- Shake vigorously.
- Strain into rocks glass with half rim of kosher salt.
- Garnish with Lime Wheel.
Ego Tequila
Price: $32
Good & Gather Organic Agave
Price: $6
Duke & Dame Tiki & Chill
Recognized by esteemed industry experts as one of the best flavored whiskeys on earth, Duke & Dame was co-founded by Amani Macaulay and Chima Burey to redefine the whiskey category. Both left their finance careers to jumpstart their spirits brand, with the mission of creating a whiskey for everyone to enjoy. The company’s rich Caramel Flavored Whiskey blend is made with 100% all natural ingredients and renowned for its incredible aroma, remarkable taste and extremely smooth finish.
Duke & Dame Tiki & Chill
Image: Courtesy of Duke and Dame.
Duke & Dame Tiki & Chill
- 2 oz Duke & Dame
- 3/4 oz Velvet Falernum
- 1 oz Pineapple Juice
- 1/2 oz Lime Juice
- Add all ingredients to a shaker tin with ice and shake until chilled.
- Strain into a Tiki or Collins glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with pineapple leaves, a dried orange wheel and an edible flower.
Duke & Dame
Price: $27
Uncle Nearest 1856 Tennessee Buck
Named after Nathan “Nearest” Green, Uncle Nearest Whiskey 1856 pays homage to Green’s legacy. The African American distiller taught Jack Daniel, the founder of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, how to make his highly successful whiskey. Green’s contribution to American whiskey was largely erased from history until recent years. Today, Uncle Nearest 1856 brand is owned by his descendants and has received numerous awards and accolades for its premium whiskey.
Uncle Nearest 1856 Tennessee Buck
Image: Courtesy of Uncle Nearest.
Uncle Nearest 1856 Tennessee Buck
- 2 oz Uncle Nearest 1856
- .5 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- .25 oz Ginger Syrup
- Ginger Beer
- Lemon Wheel Garnish
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Combine Uncle Nearest 1856, fresh lemon juice, and ginger syrup.
- Stir to combine.
- Top with ginger beer.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel.
Uncle Nearest 1856
Price: $59
Bundaberg Ginger Beer
Price: $8
Former high school teacher Chris Montana never planned on launching an award-winning spirits brand. Through a combination of tenacity, strategy and an appreciation for happy hour, he launched Du Nord alongside his wife, Shanelle. Made using fresh ingredients pulled from Shanelle’s family farm, the brand now carries gin, vodka, whiskey, coffee and apple liqueur. The brand’s Foundation Vodka is easy and crisp, with a finish that leaves little trace on the palate and incredibly smooth.
Du Nord Social Spirits Foundation Vodka Pepper The Cat Cocktail
Image: Courtesy of Du Nord.
Du Nord Social Spirits Foundation Vodka Pepper The Cat Cocktail
- 2 oz Du Nord Foundation Vodka
1 oz Pepper the Cat syrup
¼ oz grapefruit juice
¼ oz lime juice
¼ oz lemon juice
- Add all ingredients to a shaker.
- Fill ⅔ with ice cubes.
- Shake short and hard 2-3 times.
- Add 4 oz seltzer and strain into glass.
- Add ice to the glass.
- Garnish with grapefruit peel or wheel.
Du Nord Vodka
Price: $30
Bayab African Grown Gin and Ginger Cocktail
Using African-sourced botanicals, this Black-owned, world-class gin is produced in the midlands of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The range of ingredients brings the brands’ premium range of gins to life, especially the Classic Dry flavor that brings a refreshing and subtly sweet African citrus flavor to the classic drink. Enriched with an infusion of Zambian baobab, juniper berries, coriander, rosemary, cinnamon and coarse Salt, this gin is guaranteed to delight the tastebuds.
Bayab African Grown Gin and Ginger cocktail
Image: Courtesy of Bayab.
Bayab African Grown Gin and Ginger cocktail
- Bayab Gin and Ginger
2oz Bayab Classic Dry
1/4 oz Lime or Supasawa
Tsp mango syrup
Top with Ginger Ale or Ginger beer
- Add ingredients into a glass with ice, garnish with a slice of lemon.
Bayab African Gin
Price: $40
Bundaberg Ginger Beer
Price: $8
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