Patriotic cocktail recipes
Fourth of July is just around the corner, and that is cause for celebration. Filled with fireworks and BBQs, no Fourth of July would be complete without some tasty drinks. Here are seven red, white, and blue Fourth of July mocktails and cocktails to try out:
1. Patriotic pina colada
This colorful patriotic Pina Colada is flavored with strawberries, coconut cream, and pineapple juice. This recipe makes two servings.
Ingredients:
- 3 ounces of rum
- 3 ounces of Blue Curacao
- 6 ounces pineapple juice
- 4.5 ounces cream of coconut
- 1 cup fresh strawberries
- 2 cups ice
Directions:
- In a blender, combine the rum, pineapple juice, cream of coconut, and ice together until smooth
- Pour 2/3 of the mixture into a separate container, leaving the rest in the blender
- Add fresh strawberries to the mixture in the blender, and then blend until smooth
- Pour the strawberry mixture into a drinking glass
- Then pour 1/3 of the reserved Pina Colada mixture into the drinking glasses
- Add the remaining reserved mixture and Blue Curacao into the blender, and blend until combined
- Slowly pour the blue mixture into the drinking glasses
- Serve immediately
2. Liberty lemonade
A refreshing blend of sweet blueberries and tart lemon, this vibrant nonalcoholic drink is perfect for the Fourth of July. This recipe makes six servings.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice
- 5 cups cold water
- Ice
- Lemon slices for garnish
Directions:
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the blueberries and sugar, stirring until the sugar has dissolved and the blueberries have burst
- Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve, discarding the solids
- Combine the blueberry syrup, lemon juice, and water in a large pitcher
- Stir until well mixed
- Serve the lemonade over ice, garnished with lemon slices and a few whole blueberries
3. Star spangled banner sangria
This red, white, and blue sangria is made with strawberries, pears, and blueberries. This recipe makes eight servings.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups strawberries, quartered
- 1 cup blueberries
- 4 Bosc pears, cut into star shapes
- 2 bottles Moscato
- 1 cup tonic water
- 1/2 cup gin
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
Directions:
- Peel the pears, and cut them into 1/3 inch slices with the cores
- Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut the pear slices
- Quarter the strawberries
- Place the pears, strawberries, and blueberries into a large pitcher
- Pour in the Moscato, gin, tonic water, and lemon juice
- Stir gently and let the sangria chill in a refrigerator for four hours before serving
4. Star-spangled fruit-infused water
Hydrating and delicious, this colorful drink lets the natural flavors of the fruit shine through. This recipe makes eight servings.
Ingredients:
- 1 pint strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1 cup blueberries
- 2 apples, sliced into thin rounds
- Ice
- 8 cups of water
Directions:
- In a large pitcher, combine the strawberries, blueberries, and apple slices
- Fill the pitcher with water, and stir gently to combine
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, allowing the fruit to infuse the water
- Serve over ice, making sure to get some fruit into every glass
5. Blueberry coconut sparkler
This refreshing cocktail is red-colored with blue and white elements. This recipe makes two servings.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups fresh blueberries
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 cup coconut rum
- 2 1/2 cups ginger ale
- Red food coloring
- Ice
- Coconut flakes
Directions:
- In a medium bowl, muddle the blueberries
- Add the lemon juice and coconut rum, stirring until well combined
- Using a fine mesh strainer, strain the mixture and discard the blueberry skins
- Add the ginger ale into the bowl
- Color with a few drops of red food coloring until the desired color has been achieved
- Garnish the rims of two glasses with coconut flakes
- Pour the mixture into the two glasses
- Add some whole blueberries as garnish
6. Independence Day iced tea
This red, white, and blue iced tea is a fun, non-alcoholic take on a Fourth of July drink. This recipe makes four servings.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups of cold water
- 3 white tea bags
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
- Ice
- Honey or agave nectar to sweeten (optional)
Directions:
- In a saucepan, bring water to a boil
- Remove from heat, add tea bags and let steep for 5 minutes
- Remove tea bags and let the tea cool completely
- Pour the tea into a large pitcher
- Add the blueberries and raspberries to the pitcher
- Sweeten with honey or agave nectar if desired, and stir to combine
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving
- Serve over ice, garnished with additional berries if desired
7. Firecracker Jell-O shots
This Jell-O shot is the ultimate Fourth of July party drink. It’s garnished with a cherry on top to resemble a firecracker. This recipe makes 20 shots.
Ingredients:
- For the red layer of this Jell-O shot, you’ll need: 1/2 cup water, 1 box instant cherry Jell-O, and 1/2 cup vodka
- For the blue layer, you’ll need: 1/2 cup boiled water, 1 box instant blueberry Jell-O, 1/2 cup vodka
- For the white layer, you’ll need: 1 envelope gelatin, 1 cup milk (divided), 3 tablespoons sugar, 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, and 1/2 cup vodka
Directions:
- In a small bowl, combine boiling water and blueberry Jell-O mix, stirring until completely dissolved
- Then stir in the vodka
- In a separate bowl, repeat the same process with the cherry Jell-O mix
- Allow both mixtures to cool
- To make the white layer, in a medium bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over 1/4 cup of milk
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the remaining 3/4 cup milk to a simmer
- Turn off the heat, and stir in the sugar, vanilla, and vodka
- Pour heated mixture over plain gelatin mixture, and stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved
- Let cool for ten minutes
- Spray the one-ounce plastic shot glasses with cooking spray
- Spoon 2 teaspoons of the blueberry Jell-O mix into each one
- Refrigerate for 15 minutes until set
- Top with 2 teaspoons of the white gelatin mixture
- Refrigerate again for 10 minutes until set
- Then cover with 2 teaspoons of the cherry Jell-O mixture
- Refrigerate for approximately two hours until firm
References
- “15 Boozy Red, White, and Blue Drinks for July Fourth,” Good Housekeeping, June 13, 2018.
- “39 Fourth of July Cocktails to Get You Lit for America,” Cosmopolitan, July 3, 2017.
- “17 Refreshing Fourth of July Drinks to Help You Celebrate,” Woman’s Day, June 7, 2018.
