4 Red, White, and Blue Patriotic Fourth of July Cocktails

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.