Turn Huckabucks Into Extra Bucks

I remember back in the day, during the hot summer months, my neighborhood friends and I playing cool can or a game of touch football against rivals from other hoods-usually five or six-man teams.  Young and full of energy, we ran around parked cars, chasing down footballs that barely made it through the telephone wires.  Few time-outs were called only to allow cars to pass by.  The game immediately resumed once the vehicle was in the clear.  We played for hours at a time as our sisters and their girlfriends cheered along the side walk, bragging about whose brother was better, or which boy was cuter, while holding a bag of Lays potato chips in one hand, and a fat pickle in the other.  Younger kids played hop scotch or jumped rope nearby.   By the end of the game, the heat had taken its toll on us.  A hundred bottles of Big Shot Pineapple soft drinks couldn’t quench our thirsts like a home-made huckabuck could.  It was like a ritual for us to mob up after a game and head to Mrs. Rita’s for an ice cold red, coconut, or pink lemonade huckabuck.

Twenty five cents was enough to buy one, and she seemingly never ran out of flavors.  That little old lady sold huckabucks for years.  Mrs. Rita even taught me the huckabuck trade-she was my grandmother.  Once I became knowledgeable about purchasing the supplies, mixing flavors, and handling the accounting aspect of the business, I was able to generate and save enough pocket change to spend at skate country, or catch a movie at the Joy theatre.  In fact, I financed my senior class trip and purchased my high school class ring with savings from the huckabuck venture.  It was a fun and honest hustle. 

Somewhere along the way, huckabuck business in the city fell off.   Unfortunately, kids today are not only missing out on what it’s like to indulge in one of New Orleans’ most treasured summer treats, learning valuable business and relationship-building skills are also opportunities lost.

I am not suggesting that one would strike it rich selling huckabucks.  You may even need to sell them at fifty cents each, to double your profits.  Or maybe you’d like to start off as a hobby, and then launch it into a full scale operation.  Nevertheless, it is means to supplement your income, especially during these tough economic times.  So, treat yourself.  Make a kid happy.  Keep the huckabuck tradition alive!

Recipe for traditional New Orleans huckabucks

Mix three parts New Orleans style snow ball syrup to one part water

Add pieces of mixed fruit (optional)

Fill 6 oz. plastic cup to just below the rim

Freeze approximately 4 hours

Enjoy!