Shoes N Booze: Booze Clues: 6 Drinks to Try on the 4th of July

Friday, July 1, 2011

Booze Clues: 6 Drinks to Try on the 4th of July

Red, White & Booze

Fireworks, flags and fun… Independence Day is on its way, which means the smell of barbecue will fill the air. This year, instead of washing down your burgers with a cold beer, sip a patriotic-looking cocktail (or 5).

Voga Sparkler

No 4th of July celebration is complete without sparklers. Some prefer holding sticks with sparks flying off one end, but I’m more in favor of something sparkling in my glass. This cocktail is refreshing and slightly sweet, but not too strong for light drinkers.

Recipe:

2 oz. VOGA Sparkling Pino Grigio

.5 oz. vodka

.5 oz. Raspberry Liqueur

.5 oz. Soho Lychee Liqueur

Method:

Combine vodka, raspberry liqueur and soho lychee liqueur in the bottom of a champagne flute.Top with VOGA Sparkling Pinot Grigio

Belvedere Liberty Summer Punch

Perhaps you’re entertaining this weekend. You’ll be able to spend more time with your guests and less time behind the bar if you prepare a pitcher or two of punch ahead of time. This tangy, tart treat is strong enough to keep things festive but not fuel drunken fights.

Recipe:

10oz Belvedere Vodka

15oz cranberry juice

2.5oz lemon juice

3.5oz Aperol

5oz orange juice

Dash of bitters

Dash of simple syrup

Method:

Add all ingredients to a jug and stir. Garnish with orange slices and lemons.

Xante 4th of July Frozen Berry

A frozen treat is a great way to beat the summer heat, and it’s even better when it’s spiked with something Semi-sweet.

Recipe:

1 1/2 oz of Xanté

1 1/2 oz of fresh lemon juice

Strawberries Fresh or Frozen

Dash of sugar to taste

Blend with ice

***Photo credit: Rodrigo Londono- Catapult 13 Creative Studios

Sailor Jerry Back Yard Tea

Who doesn’t love a little sweet tea with their hot dogs and potato salad? This version gets a kick of extra flavor (and fun) with the addition of spiced rum.

Recipe:

2 parts Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum

1 part iced tea

2 parts lemonade

Method:

Add ingredients to in ice-filled highball glass and garnish with a lemon wedge

Flor de Cana Firecracker

If complex flavors are your forte, you’ll thoroughly enjoy this one. The slight spiciness of the rum, combined with the biters and dash of absinthe make it a prime choice for night time sipping.

Recipe:

2 oz Flor de Caña 7 Year Rum

.5 oz Simple Syrup

3 Dashes Peychaud Bitters

Dash Lucid Absinthe

Red Grapes

Method: Salt rim of small glass. Add Flor de Cana, simple syrup, Peychaud Bitters and Lucid to shaker with ice. Strain into glass. Garnish with red grapes.

UV Blue Bombsicle

Remember Bomb Pops… the blue raspberry, cherry and lemon icee on a stick that turned your tongue and lips blue, but tasted so good they were worth Smurf mouth? Well if you got rid of the cherry, and made it into a drink, this is what you’d have.