4th of July Cocktails

Are There Any 4th of July Cocktails?

The Fourth of July. America’s birthday. A date where 56 of our forefathers signed their John Hancocks on The Declaration of Independence to give us the unalienable right to the pursuit of happiness. Now, there are plenty of ways you can pursue happiness. A long road trip to see all of what this country has to offer. Chilling and grilling by the pool. You could even do what the Founding Fathers did and toast with a glass of Madeira wine. But we’ve found this pursuit is much easier, and much more enjoyable with a festive cocktail in hand.

Want to Make a Bomb Pop?

Inspired by the iconic popsicle treat of the same name, this cocktail screams Fourth of July! This drink’s stunning layered appearance is achieved by mixing blue curaçao with water so it floats above the citron vodka and grenadine.

Ingredients

• 1 oz. Grenadine
• 1 oz. Citron Vodka
• 1 ¼ oz. Blue Mix*
• Crushed Ice
• Highball Glass

*Blue Mix Directions

1. Stir ¼ oz of blue curaçao together with 1 oz. of water.

Directions

1. Add the grenadine into a highball glass over crushed ice.
2. Add the citron vodka.
3. Slowly and carefully layer the blue mix over the top.

Want to Make Stars & Stripes?

Flying Old Glory? Better make this refreshingly sweet and tart cocktail to pair with it. Feel free to play “The Star Spangled Banner” while making it.

Ingredients

• 5 Fresh Blueberries
• 1 oz. Blueberry Vodka
• ¼ oz. Absinthe
• ¼ oz. Freshly-Squeezed Lemon Juice
• ¼ oz. Simple Syrup
• 1 Dash Raspberry Brandy
• Chilled Ginger Beer
• Sugar Cube for Garnish

Directions

1. Muddle blueberries in a shaker.
2. Add the vodka, absinthe, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Add ice then shake until chilled.
3. Pour (unstrained) into a highball glass.
4. Drizzle with the raspberry brandy and top with ginger beer.
5. Garnish with one sugar cube.

Want to Make a Stone Fence?

A Stone Fence? Yes. According to our history books, this is the same cocktail the revolutionaries drank to celebrate taking Fort Ticonderoga from the British in 1775. While this is more of an Autumn/Winter cocktail, you can make it for this holiday as a way to think about, and honor,  the original troops who fought for our freedom.

Ingredients

• 2 oz. of Rye Whiskey or Rum
• Dash of Bitters
• Apple Cider
• Ice
• Mint

Directions

1. Pour Rye Whiskey or Rum in glass.
2. Throw in a dash of bitters.
3. Mix in the apple cider.
4. Finish off with some ice and mint.

Want to Make a Firecracker?

No, not the ones that go off in the night sky. We’re talking about the cocktail kind. The one that combines sweet and spicy for flavor explosion that pairs perfectly with watching firecrackers go off.

Ingredients

• 2 1-inch watermelon chunks
• 1 ½ oz Aged Rum
• ½ oz. Triple Sec
• ½ oz. Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
• ½ oz. Simple Syrup
• ⅙ tsp Cayenne Pepper
• Ice

Directions

1. Muddle watermelon in mixing glass.
2. Add the remaining ingredients, along with ice, and shake until well-chilled.
3. Strain into a cocktail glass.
4. Garnish with lime wedge.

Want to Make a LiberTea?

Liberty is what America is all about. So when there’s a party-ready, batch cocktail called LiberTea, you have to try it on the Fourth of July or any summer get together.

Ingredients

• 4 Black Tea Bags
• 4 Cups of Lemonade
• 1 Cup Fresh Basil
• ½ Cup of Bourbon
• 1 ½ Cups of Honey Liqueur
• Lemon Wheels for Garnish

Directions

(Serves Four)

1. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan.
2. Remove from heat and add tea bags.
3. Steep for 8 minutes and then discard the bags.
4. Add the lemonade and then add an additional 2 cups of water.
5. Move mixture to a pitcher and chill.
6. Stir in the basil and crush with a spoon until fragrant.
7. Stir in the bourbon and honey liqueur.
8. Pour into 4 tall, ice-filled glasses then garnish each with a lemon wheel.

What Now?

Celebrate of course! It is the Fourth of July! Go out and have a great time. There’s plenty of other cocktails that would be perfect for the holiday that we couldn’t fit them all in one blog. There’s Red White & Booze Popsicles, Lynchburg Lemonades, Blue Hawaiis, Americano, Army & Navy, Bourbon Strawberry Iced Tea. The list can go on and on. And you could even make a brand new one. Just let us know when you do. We’d love to taste it.

Happy Fourth of July from all of your friends at Spec’s.