Kwanzaa kicks off TODAY, Dec 26th with the principle of
Umoja (which means Unity in Swahili)….⭐
A good drink sets the tone. Perfect for welcoming people in and giving us something to toast with intention, to raise up high towards the sky — to honor the ancestors (a key part of Kwanzaa) and each other. Whether enjoyed as a warming mocktail (amazingly aromatic, spiked or unspiked, making it considerately adaptable across generations) or as a creative cocktail easy enough to make at home yet elegant enough to order while at someplace special on a night out (take note Bar Managers and Restaurateurs...— see special note below)
For this very reason, when I hosted Food Network's Kwanzaa Menu show series, I intentionally chose a DRINK recipe for the first (of seven) episodes — my original recipe for Hibiscus Mulled 'Mock Wine' — brewed up in a generous batch for this seven (7) day holiday — to greet both planned and impromptu guests, celebrate with toasts to togetherness, and culturally rooted libations that are core to Kwanzaa traditions ... A recipe that reclaims classic holiday spices that signify this season — cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg — simmered with indigenous Alkebulan teas -- the star being vibrant, naturally red hibiscus, which goes by many names throughout the diaspora and enables you to create concoctions that taste as amazing as they are for supporting our immune system this time of year.
(👆🏽 photo highlights from “The Kwanzaa Menu “— Episode #1: Mulled Hibiscus Mocktail)
⬇️ CLICK BUTTON BELOW 👇🏾To WATCH 📺 TODAY's EPISODE #1 (+ all 7 episodes for each day of the holiday) + get the recipes!)👇🏽:
TODAY’S FEATURED RECIPE: Amazing Hibiscus 🌺 Mulled MOCK WINE Mocktail 🍹 (turned COCKTAIL 🍸) & Kwanzaa Mimosa 🥂
This sippable delicacy can be enjoyed hot 🔥, warm 🥰, chilled or iced 🧊. For my chilled version this year I’m using Eléctrico Mezcal’s award-winning expression distilled with lemongrass that's harvested near their Oaxaca distillery. It beautifully brings bright citrus highlights + added dimension to an already delicious drink. Mixology mavens everywhere love how, in an instant Eléctrico’s ‘Distilled with Lemongrass’ selection adds an almost otherworldly sophistication to so many sippers...
And the pièce de résistance regardless of spirit? The magic my sister Kenya added with the Zawadi “gift” cubes idea for the chilled cocktail version — complete with a festive surprise inside each frozen, flavor-filled block.... how's that for 'Collective Work & Responsibility'(aka UJIMA) which is the focus for Kwanzaa's 3rd day fyi ...
Cheers to a HAPPY KWANZAA! 🥂
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⭐ If you’re a bar, restaurant, retailer, or beverage decision-maker exploring culturally rooted, seasonally relevant cocktails for winter menus or activations, connect with me! CLICK HERE ➡️ to 📩 Inquire about custom cocktails for your venue or menu features, plus tasting events, staff trainings on wine, spirits & cocktail creativity
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…Here’s the link to the ➡️PATREON VERSION of TODAY’s POST ⬅️ featuring downloadable ‘zawadi’ (kwanzaa gifts!) to say THANK YOU to my supporters
JOIN The Food Griot’s PATREON at any level to find out why I chose and created this special recipe for Kwanzaa’s very first day + Get your pdf gift of this delicious culturally-rich recipe; video with drink demo AND access to many more resources you’ll need to celebrate the 7 days of Kwanzaa creatively, collectively and deliciously!
AND/OR:
🎁 GIVE THE GIFT OF THE FOOD GRIOT’S CULINARY (& COCKTAIL!) CREATIVITY (I.E. A PRE- PAID TFG PATREON SUBSCRIPTION! ) TO YOUR FAVE FOODIE and/or DRINKS lover(s )THIS HOLIDAY SEASON! 🎁