A Cultural Tradition Bottled for the Holidays
Zydeco Meadery is shining a spotlight this winter season on Carnival Rose, its signature hibiscus mead inspired by the beloved Caribbean and Latin American Christmas drink known as sorrel. Located in Emerald Square Mall and run by four generations of the Depradine family, the Black-owned meadery blends culture, memory, and craft beverage artistry to reconnect diaspora communities with a cherished seasonal tradition.
Carnival Rose is rooted in family history. The mead is crafted using a sorrel recipe passed down from the Depradine family’s 98-year-old matriarch, drawing from Trinidadian and South Louisiana traditions. Lightly sparkling and refreshing, the beverage carries the aromas of hibiscus, warm holiday spices, and bright tropical cranberry, intentionally evoking Christmas celebrations from Port of Spain to Port-au-Prince and from Pointe Coupée Parish to Puerto Rico.
“Sorrel is not just a drink, it’s a cultural anchor,” said founder Eric Depradine. “Every Caribbean household has memories of making it during the holiday season. Carnival Rose is our way of honoring that tradition while creating something new that our community can celebrate and share.”
Originally founded in Wamego, Kansas, Zydeco Meadery operated from 2020 to 2023 before relocating to North Attleborough. The business emerged during the pandemic as Eric and DeAundra Depradine set out to create meads that reflect their blended Caribbean, New England, and South Louisiana identities. Today, the meadery uses regional honeys, including Louisiana wildflower and Massachusetts knotweed honey, adding floral depth and complexity to each batch.
Carnival Rose has become Zydeco Meadery’s most recognizable cultural offering. For Caribbean, African American, and Latin American families across the Northeast, the mead bridges generations, honoring elders, memories of home, and the familiar December ritual of boiling dried hibiscus with cloves, cinnamon, ginger, orange peel, and sweetness that fills the house with anticipation.
“It matters to us that people see their culture represented,” Depradine said. “As a Trinidadian-American family with ties to Lafayette, Louisiana, and Boston’s Villa Victoria neighborhood, we’re proud to create something that honors our heritage while welcoming others to enjoy it.”
Carnival Rose and other Zydeco Meadery products are available at Massachusetts farmers’ markets, select local liquor stores, and online through Vinoshipper.
