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Honeysuckle Red Drink Punch

3.8

(7)

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.

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Reviews (7)

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  • So sour!

    • Harrison

    • Sacramento, Ca

    • 11/23/2020

  • As soon as I read this article in the magazine, I knew I had to make this drink. I love Kool-aid but never drink it anymore because it's basically colored sugar water. The recipe seemed a bit complicated because of needing to strain it but it's well worth the effort to remove the seeds. But, this is no Kool-aid. It is sooo much better. It's more like a delicious, fresh tasting Hawaiian Punch, without the corn syrup and artificial additives. I will be making this again. I also bought other freeze dried fruits to try different variations. I think this would make a great base for a summer spritzer or a shot of hard stuff like Vodka or Rum if you want to spice it up. To answer the person below, weigh the powders based on the measurements given. (2oz and 1.25oz)

    • RobbieK

    • Pennsylvania

    • 6/23/2020

  • I see the freeze dried strawberries & cherries already available as a powder. Can you say how much powder this would translate to? It looks amazing!

    • artichokes

    • Medway, MA

    • 6/11/2020