Unsung Heroes, A Juneteenth Cocktail

Juneteenth celebrates the day that the Emancipation Proclamation, President Abraham Lincoln’s executive order freeing all enslaved people of the United States, reached Galveston, Texas. It took over two years to reach southernmost Texas. In the 20th century, Juneteenth became associated with red drinks, food, and desserts as a symbol of endurance and strength. The inspiration and the name of this Juneteenth cocktail come from a long history of African Americans not receiving their due for major contributions to American society and history.

The whiskey used in this drink is from Uncle Nearest, a distillery named after a talented distiller whose real name was Nathan Green. He originated the Lincoln County Process, which is essential to Tennessee whiskey distillation. He taught Jack Daniels the craft of distillation, putting in motion an American spirits tradition. His is just one of countless unsung inventions and creations by people of color.

This Juneteenth cocktail helps me continually celebrate the paths we forge, as well as the paths forged by those who came before us who might go uncelebrated this Juneteenth.

“Unsung Heroes” is a bittersweet cocktail that encourages us to uncover our history. It’s reminiscent of a cocktail in the Negroni family. The cocktail is special to me because it is part of my personal history. That’s also part of of what led to the founding of my company, Mindful Hospitality Group.