Flavor fireworks: Fourth of July cocktails that sparkle and shine

Fourth of July cocktails bring the fireworks through bold flavors and colors.

These Fourth of July cocktails will bring some fireworks to your cocktail glass. Whether you want a little whimsy, some bright colors or some bold flavors, one of these tasty libations will be the perfect pair to this year’s celebration.

Often during Fourth of July celebrations, red, white and blue colors are part of the themed food and beverages served for the event. While there is no true blue colored food, blue colored cocktails are a little easier. Plus, with a little imagination, anything is possible.

Although canned beverages are becoming quite popular this summer, a classic cocktail can be a great choice. Whether sitting in the backyard, by the pool or on the couch watching fireworks on television, these Fourth of July cocktails make any moment sparkle and shine. Ready to get shaking?

Fourth of July cocktails bursting with bold flavors.

Sometimes it makes sense to make more than one cocktail at once. Although the punch bowl might be retired this year, making a big punch still makes sense. The larger amount can be portioned into servings.

Here’s how to make Bacardi’s Red Rum Punch.

Red Rum Punch

Ingredients:

• ¾ parts BACARDÍ Limon
• ¾ parts BACARDÍ Raspberry
• ¾ parts BACARDÍ Superior
• ½ parts Grenadine
• 2 parts Sweet & Sour
• 1 parts Cranberry Juice
• Garnish with Lemon Wedge or Mint

Method:

• Pour all ingredients into a punch bowl that is filled with ice blocks. Stir. Garnish the bowl with lemon wheels and raspberries.

Although some firework celebrations might be on the television versus in person, a few fireworks in a glass is a great idea. This cocktail from New Amsterdam Vodka has some bubbles that add a burst of flavor. More importantly, the popping candy garnish really makes a splash.

Here’s how to make Poppin’ Off by New Amsterdam Vodka.

Poppin’ Off

Ingredients:

• 2 parts New Amsterdam Vodka or NAV Red Berry
• 2 parts Cranberry Juice
• Juice from 1 Lime
• Fill w/ equal parts Lemon Lime Soda & Ginger Ale
• Garnish: Lemon & Lemon wheels (in bowl)

Batch Instructions:

• Add ingredients into a block ice filled punch bowl, and stir together to combine/chill.

Service:

• Pour into blue “popping” candy rimmed glasses filled with ice

Sometimes a simple cocktail is a great choice. Since lemonade is such a refreshing summer beverage, why not give that classic lemonade a little “boost.” This cocktail has a little fun with the licorice garnish. And yes, you can use that candy as a straw.

Berry Lemonade

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. New Amsterdam Vodka
• 4 oz. Strawberry Lemonade
• Top w/ Lemon Lime Soda
• Garnish: Licorice Stick & Strawberry/Lemon

Instructions:

• Add ingredients into an ice filled Collins glass, and gently stir together to combine/chill. Garnish.

Sometimes a classic American style liquor can be a great choice to celebrate the Fourth of July. The Black Eyed Rye takes Sagamore Spirit Rye Whiskey and combines it with sweet blackberries and refreshing mint leaves. The layers of flavors in this cocktail makes each sip an adventure.

Here’s how to make Black-Eyed Rye.

Black-Eyed Rye

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Sagamore Spirit Rye Whiskey
• 3 oz Ginger Beer
• 0.5 oz Lime Juice
• 0.75 oz Blackberry Simple Syrup
• 8-10 Mint Leaves

Instructions

• Shake Sagamore Spirit Rye Whiskey, lime juice, blackberry simple syrup*, and a few mint leaves with ice and strain into a Collins glass.
• Top with Ginger Beer.
• Garnish with mint sprigs and three skewered blackberries.
• *Blackberry Simple Syrup: Mix equal parts water, sugar, and blackberries in a pot. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes.
• Chill overnight and strain. Need a quick fix? Muddle blackberries with pre-made simple syrup.

Sometimes combining classic and adventurous flavors can be a new flavor experience that will bring the fireworks to the glass. The Southern Passion by Southern Comfort gets a twist from the passion fruit syrup. It could have you rethinking all types of classic cocktails with cranberry juice.

Here’s how to make Southern Passion.

Southern Passion

• Ingredients
• 2 oz. Southern Comfort
• 6 oz. Cranberry Juice
• ½ oz. Passion Fruit Syrup
• ½ oz. Lime Juice
• 1 cup Ice
• Mint Spring for garnish

Method:

Combine Southern Comfort, Cranberry Juice, Passion Fruit Syrup and Lime Juice in blender jar. Fill jar with ice and blend until smooth, serve and enjoy immediately.

Watermelon is always a summer gathering staple. While there might be slices of watermelon on the table, why not put some watermelon in the cocktail. This beverage is inspired by an aperol spritz. If you are looking to upgrade your cocktail game, this cocktail is a must try.

D’USSE Watermelon Spritz

Ingredients:

• 1.5 parts D’USSE VSOP
• 0.5 part Aperol
• 2 parts fresh watermelon juice
• 0.5 part simple syrup
• 0.5 part fresh lemon juice
• 1 part Sparkling Wine

Garnish:

• Watermelon ball skewer & orange peel

Method:

• Add D’USSE, Aperol, watermelon juice, simple syrup and lemon juice into a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into an ice filled wine glass. Top with Sparkling Wine. Garnish with a watermelon ball skewer and orange peel.

For many people, an Arnold Palmer is a summer staple beverage. This version gives that classic beverage an adult upgrade. Most importantly, do not forget the garnish. The fresh mint and the lemons really add to the flavor.

Seagram’s Sweet Tea Arnold Palmer

Ingredients:

• 2 ozs of Seagram’s Sweet Tea Vodka
• 4 ozs of Lemonade
• Garnish with Mint and Lemons

Directions:

• Combine Seagram’s Sweet Tea Vodka and Lemonade over ice in a highball glass
• Stir then garnish with mint and lemon

While you might not remember all the words to Yankee Doodle Dandy, you might recall the part of about putting a feather in his cap and calling it macaroni. This cocktail is a little whimsical and quite tasty. As those layers come together, it creates a cocktail that might make you feel quite dandy.

Here’s how to make Macaroni Feather

Macaroni Feather

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz Don Papa Rum
• 3/4 oz apricot nectar
• 1/2 oz lemon juice
• 1/4 blue caracao
• 1 bar spoon cherry heering
• Garnish w cherry

Method:

This is another fruit bomb but is intended to be layered. The rum, apricot, and lemon should all be mixed first. The caracao should be poured on the bottom, then add ice, then add rum mixture, then dress with cherry Heering. Red white and blue!

These Fourth of July cocktails are just a few suggestions of the many options for the celebration. Whether you shake up something special, pop open a beer or just enjoy a glass of lemonade, take a moment to enjoy the day.

How are you celebrating the holiday? Will there be Fourth of July cocktails at your event?