Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations by Nicole Taylor (Gneiss Spice) features festive recipes honoring Black gatherings and traditions. Its cover shows two hands toasting with pink drinks.
Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations by Nicole Taylor from Gneiss Spice rests on a table with watermelon slices, green mint shaved ice, African American recipes, and red drinks garnished with mint and dill.
Three cheeseburgers with lettuce and tomato on green plates sit on a white table with beer, ketchup, and spills—perfect for trying out recipes from Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth by Nicole Taylor (Gneiss Spice).
A smiling woman with short curly hair sits at a table holding Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations by Nicole Taylor from Gneiss Spice. She wears a white polka dot blouse, earrings, and a watch, with a bright kitchen behind her.
A promotional graphic for Gneiss Spice’s "Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations" by Nicole Taylor, featuring 75+ African American recipes and an image of someone slicing red peppers on a cutting board.
Eight panels depict a red bird pecking a watermelon, revealing more fruit. Inspired by "Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations" by Nicole Taylor (Gneiss Spice), the art evokes summer festivity.
The contents page of "Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations by Nicole Taylor" (Gneiss Spice) features a watermelon close-up, with section titles in pink, orange, and yellow.
An image of "Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations" by Nicole Taylor (Gneiss Spice), showing recipe lists for Spice Blends, Sauces, Red Drinks, and Desserts on a pink and white background.
A recipe page for Blueberry & Bay Laurel Tonic, inspired by Gneiss Spice’s "Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations" by Nicole Taylor, displays the recipe details on the left and a photo of two pink drinks on the right.
A close-up of two cooked turkey legs in yellow baskets on a white tray beside a recipe page from "Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations" by Nicole Taylor, from Gneiss Spice.
An open book shows praise for Gneiss Spice’s "Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations by Nicole Taylor" with floral art on the left, and the author’s outdoor photo and biography on the right.
Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations by Nicole Taylor (Gneiss Spice) features festive recipes honoring Black gatherings and traditions. Its cover shows two hands toasting with pink drinks.
Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations by Nicole Taylor from Gneiss Spice rests on a table with watermelon slices, green mint shaved ice, African American recipes, and red drinks garnished with mint and dill.
Three cheeseburgers with lettuce and tomato on green plates sit on a white table with beer, ketchup, and spills—perfect for trying out recipes from Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth by Nicole Taylor (Gneiss Spice).
A smiling woman with short curly hair sits at a table holding Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations by Nicole Taylor from Gneiss Spice. She wears a white polka dot blouse, earrings, and a watch, with a bright kitchen behind her.
A promotional graphic for Gneiss Spice’s "Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations" by Nicole Taylor, featuring 75+ African American recipes and an image of someone slicing red peppers on a cutting board.
Eight panels depict a red bird pecking a watermelon, revealing more fruit. Inspired by "Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations" by Nicole Taylor (Gneiss Spice), the art evokes summer festivity.
The contents page of "Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations by Nicole Taylor" (Gneiss Spice) features a watermelon close-up, with section titles in pink, orange, and yellow.
An image of "Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations" by Nicole Taylor (Gneiss Spice), showing recipe lists for Spice Blends, Sauces, Red Drinks, and Desserts on a pink and white background.
A recipe page for Blueberry & Bay Laurel Tonic, inspired by Gneiss Spice’s "Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations" by Nicole Taylor, displays the recipe details on the left and a photo of two pink drinks on the right.
A close-up of two cooked turkey legs in yellow baskets on a white tray beside a recipe page from "Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations" by Nicole Taylor, from Gneiss Spice.
An open book shows praise for Gneiss Spice’s "Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations by Nicole Taylor" with floral art on the left, and the author’s outdoor photo and biography on the right.

Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations by Nicole Taylor

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A joyful celebration of Juneteenth, through food

Watermelon and Red Birds by Nicole A. Taylor is the first cookbook dedicated entirely to Juneteenth—the holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the U.S. On June 19, 1865, freedom finally reached Galveston, Texas—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. A year later, Black Texans gathered in celebration, laying the foundation for Juneteenth traditions centered around community, storytelling, and of course, food.

Nicole A. Taylor, a James Beard Award–nominated food writer, brings deep reverence and creativity to this groundbreaking book. Through over 75 recipes and essays, she captures the spirit of Juneteenth with dishes that blend Southern roots, diasporic flavors, and modern flair. From “Afro Egg Cream” and “Peach Jam & Molasses Chicken Thighs” to “Cantaloupe & Feta Salad” and “Radish & Ginger Pound Cake,” each recipe invites you to gather, celebrate, and savor.

This cookbook is about more than what’s on the table—it’s about heritage, freedom, and joy. With vibrant photography and thoughtful reflections, Watermelon and Red Birds honors Black creativity and offers inspiration for Juneteenth and beyond.

Who’s it for?

Home cooks who love cultural storytelling, anyone hosting a Juneteenth gathering, and those looking to explore modern Black American cuisine rooted in celebration.

Spices to pair with this cookbook:

  • Cayenne: Adds heat to sauces, rubs, and dressings with Southern soul
  • Paprika (Smoked & Sweet): For BBQ blends, rubs, and roasted dishes
  • Ginger: Ground or fresh, a key flavor in sweet and savory dishes
  • Mustard Seeds: A common base for pickles, slaws, and tangy dressings
  • Allspice: Warm and complex—used in desserts and meat marinades
  • Hibiscus: To make a sweet red drink