What good is an Independence Day party without some on-theme 4th of July cocktails? If you’re hosting this year or have been tasked with bringing 4th of July cocktails to the party you’re attending, we’ve got some exciting, festive recipes to share. No matter what your approach is, there’s a cocktail recipe for everyone.
Pick Your Cocktail Approach
When designing a fourth of July cocktail menu, there are two approaches.
First, you can stick with the colors of the American flag and choose cocktails that are red, white, and blue in color. This is the traditional approach to 4th of July cocktails, but it’s a classic and would be the hit of any party.
The other way to look at it is to focus on cocktails that are just “summery.” For most of the country, the 4th of July is one of the hottest holidays annually. Offering light and refreshing drinks, especially those that feature seasonal produce, can help keep everyone cool.
The 4th of July has a reputation for being laidback summer fun, but you’ll also want to keep in mind that alcohol and fireworks are a dangerous combo. For this reason, choosing cocktails that don’t have a super-high ABV is an excellent way to keep your guests safe this holiday. Lower ABV drinks also help people drink responsibly and feel much better the next day, so they can keep enjoying their holiday weekend.
Red, White, and Blue Cocktails
If you want to be extra patriotic this year, break out these 4th of July cocktails and impress your friends and family!
Red, White, and Blueberry Cocktail
The red, white, and blueberry is a show-stopper if you go with themed 4th of July cocktails. It not only has a themed name and is also light, refreshing, and uses seasonal fruity flavors.
Here’s what you need:
- 1.5 ounces Haus Citrus Flower
- 3 ounces bubbly blackberry juice
- Frozen blueberries and strawberries
Mix the Haus Citrus Flower and sparkling blackberry juice in a highball glass, then add frozen blueberries and strawberries. The frozen fruit acts like ice cubes, so you don’t need to worry about your cocktails getting watered down too quickly!
The Bombpop
Is there anything more refreshing on a hot summer day than a popsicle? This cocktail recipe stays on theme by using that classic 4th of July dessert in a cooling drink!
To make a Bombpop, you’ll need:
- 2 ounces Haus Citrus Flower
- 4 ounces sparkling lemonade
- 1 Bombpop popsicle
Simply mix the Haus Citrus Flower and sparkling lemonade in a highball glass with ice, then add the popsicle! As the popsicle melts, it keeps adding flavors and colors to the cocktail. It can also be easily made as a mocktail for any children or sober people at the party by leaving out the apéritif.
Blue Margaritas
While strawberry margaritas fit into a red, white, and blue theme, blue margaritas are equally delicious but far more unexpected. Thanks to blue curacao, they’re also easy to throw together for your guests.
To make a pitcher of 4 - 6 servings, you’ll need:
- 1 cup tequila Blanco
- ⅓ cup blue curacao
- ⅓ cup triple sec
- ⅔ cup fresh lime juice
In a large pitcher, combine the liquors with the lime juice. Fill the pitcher with ice, stir and serve. For a fun 4th of July twist, try garnishing the glass with a little lime juice and popping candy!
Layered Firecracker
If you want a visibly red, white, and blue drink, the layered firecracker is perfect for you. Layering the ingredients is visually appealing and on theme, while still being refreshing, summery, and delicious. Also, like the blue margarita, you can rim your glass with popping candy to make it even more explosive.
Here’s what you need:
- 1 ounce berry vodka (or Haus Citrus Flower)
- ¾ ounce blue curacao
- ½ ounce grenadine
- 3 ounces lemonade (fresh is best, if possible)
Shake the vodka, blue curacao, and lemonade with ice in a cocktail shaker until thoroughly chilled. Pour over ice into the cocktail glass of your choosing (we like a hurricane glass for this, but bartender’s choice!).
Slowly pour the grenadine on top, like you would if making a tequila sunrise, and let it settle at the bottom of the glass.
Seasonal Cocktails for the 4th of July
If you prefer summer cocktails over those with an obvious 4th of July theme, we’ve got options!
Watermelon Mixers
One of the best July 4th cocktails is also one of the easiest. Fresh watermelon juice is excellent combined with nearly any alcohol, so if you’re looking for a low-maintenance way to let your guests DIY their drinks, look no further than these drink recipes.
All you need to do is grab a few seedless watermelons. Open them up, scoop out the fruit, and blend it on high until uniform. Pass the juice through a mesh strainer to catch any leftover pulp, then refrigerate. Pour into carafes or a punch bowl and serve with an assortment of different liquors and liqueurs.
Tequila, vodka, and Haus Rose Rosé all pair beautifully with fresh watermelon juice. You can even put out some bitters, simple syrup, and other ways for the more bartending-inclined guests to take their drink up a level.
Strawberry Basil Mojito
The mojito is a classic summer drink, and combining it with fresh summer strawberries and basil is perfect for your fourth of July drink menu. And it’s easier than you may think!
Gather the following:
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 3 fresh strawberries
- 2 ounces Haus Strawberry Basil
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- Mint sprigs
- 4 ounces soda water
- Fresh basil
Wash, destem and core the fresh strawberries, then muddle them with the simple syrup, a few fresh basil leaves, and 2 - 3 sprigs of fresh mint in the bottom of a highball glass. Once thoroughly crushed, add lime juice and Haus Strawberry Basil. Fill the glass with ice, gently stir, and garnish with a fresh strawberry and a sprig of mint.
Summer Sangria
Making a summer sangria for your 4th of July party is a great way to enjoy all the season's fruits in one refreshing place. There are endless ways to make sangria, so it’s a fun recipe to play with until you get the taste profile you want. It requires more prep work than other recipes, but the result is worth it.
Here’s your grocery list:
- 750 mL bottle of white wine (sparkling wine can also be used)
- 1 lemon, cut into fourths
- 1 lime, cut into fourths
- 1 orange, cut into fourths
- 1 peach, cut into wedges with the pit removed
- 1 cup destemmed, cored, and sliced strawberries
- ½ cup lemonade or limeade
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 3 ounces Haus Citrus Flower
- 8 ounces canned pineapple (juice included)
- 2 cups chilled ginger ale
Pour wine into a large pitcher or carafe, then hand-squeeze the lemon, lime, and oranges on top. Add the remaining wedges as well, removing any seeds that may escape and all remaining ingredients except ginger ale. Stir gently and refrigerate overnight.
When ready to serve, add chilled ginger ale and ice.
The Spritz
The spritz (also referred to as a spritzer or a sparkler) is another quintessential summer cocktail perfect for serving on the 4th of July. These drinks are extremely light and easily customizable to include seasonal fruits and nearly any liquor or liqueur you have on hand.
The basic recipe is as follows, but feel free to change it as you see fit!
- 2 ounces of your favorite liquor or liqueur
- 1.5 ounces prosecco
- Club soda
Gently stir your choice of liquor or liqueur and prosecco in the bottom of an ice-filled white wine glass, then top with a splash of club soda. You can also add fresh fruits (or frozen, which can be used in place of ice cubes).
Palomas
If you prefer a little more tartness in your drinks, try the paloma. This classic cocktail is similar to the margarita but is stirred instead of shaken. It also depends on grapefruit soda as a mixer, but some people prefer to substitute fresh grapefruit juice if they don’t have any Jarritos on hand.
For one cocktail, you need:
- 2 ounces tequila Blanco (for a spicier twist, substitute Haus Grapefruit Jalapeno
- ½ ounce fresh lime juice
- Grapefruit soda or 2 ounces of fresh grapefruit juice
- Club soda or Topo Chico (if using fresh grapefruit juice)
Add tequila Blanco and lime juice to a highball or margarita glass filled with ice. Stir gently, adding the grapefruit juice if you’re using it instead of the grapefruit soda. Top with grapefruit soda (or club soda/Topo Chico) and serve with a lime or grapefruit wedge. You can also salt the rim if you prefer.
In Summary
The 4th of July is an excellent time to fire up the BBQ and sit around catching up with friends with no pressure. Enjoying time spent this way is what life is all about, holiday or not, and we don’t do it nearly as much as we should. Serve up a round of fresh 4th of July cocktails and savor the company and our freedom this holiday!
Sources:
History of the American Flag | A Capitol Fourth | PBS
Summer Produce Guide: What’s In Season June, July & August | Have a Plant
