You Say You Want a Revolution

Three cheers for the red, white and blue.

The most uniquely American holiday on the calendar and lucky us, it falls smack in the middle of Summer. What better way to celebrate our independent spirit and pay homage to our founding fathers than with a backyard barbecue and the rockets' red glare?

Any summer drink is perfect for the Fourth: Long Island Iced Teas, Spiked or Unspiked Arnold Palmer's, Lemonade (with or without vodka), beer...

My only "rule" about Fourth of July imbibing is: No gin. We are, after all, celebrating independence from England. Gin is England's quintessential drink, their booze claim to fame. I have nothing against gin, or England, but out of respect for the founding fathers I abstain from gin on the Fourth of July. Yeah, I'm such a rebel...a patriot...a revolutionary. So gin and tonics, refreshing as they are on a hot summer day, are off limits on the Fourth of July.

Any gin-less red or blue drink is perfect for the Fourth of July. Think: Curaçao, Chambord and Grenadine.

Belvedere Firecracker Fizz

1.5 oz. Belvedere Pink Grapefruit
1/2 oz. Limoncello
4 oz. Prosecco (or sparkling wine)

Club soda

Ice

Lemon twist and/or cherry for garnish

Champagne flute

Add Belvedere and Limoncello to shaker. Martini shake. Strain into champagne flute. Fill remaining glass with Prosecco. Garnish with lemon twist and/or cherry.

Speaking of Belvedere, this is fast becoming one of my favorite drinks, and it's perfect for the Fourth of July.

We already covered using popsicles as a cocktail mixer. But what about the ubiquitous Bomb Pop? If you put one of those in a blender you'll get a purple slush that doesn't taste very good. (Yes, I tried it.)

Fear not! Get out your shot glasses and spoon and start layering!

Bomb Pop Shot

 (makes two shots)
1/2 oz. Lemon Flavored Vodka (Absolut Citron is a good choice)
1/2 oz. Chambord
1/2 oz. Blue Curaçao
1/2 oz. Sour Mix
Ice

Add vodka, sour mix and ice to a cocktail shaker and martini shake. Pour into two shot glasses. Layer blue curaçao over vodka sour mix. Lastly, add Chambord layer.

A slightly less sweet, less Bomb-Pop-y tasting version of this is:
1/2 oz. Grenadine
1/2 oz. Blue Curacao
1/2 oz. Cream or Vodka
Layer in that order (red on bottom, blue in the middle, cream or vodka on top)
 

How about celebrating some US geography?! Blue and red and can be found on a map of America.

Blue Hawaiian

3/4 oz. Light Rum
3/4 oz. Vodka
1/2 oz. Blue Curacao
3 oz. Pineapple Juice
1 oz. Sweet & Sour Mix
Ice
Highball glass
Slice of Pineapple and a Cherry for garnish


Fill glass with ice. Pour all ingredients in a shaker. Roll to mix. Pour shaker contents into ice-filled glass. Garnish with a slice of pineapple and cherry.
If the temperatures soar on the Fourth of July, Blue Hawaiians are easily converted into frozen cocktails. You'll need a blender. Fill glass with ice. Pour that ice into the blender with all other ingredients. Blend until smooth.

Cape Cod
1.5 oz. Vodka
Cranberry juice
Ice
Highball glass
Lime wedge for garnish

Fill highball glass with ice. Pour vodka over ice. Fill glass with cranberry juice.

Alabama Slammer

1/2 oz. Ameretto
1/2 oz. Southern Comfort
1/2 oz. Sloe Gin
Splash of Orange Juice
Splash of Sour Mix
Ice
Cherry for garnish
Old fashioned or highball glass

Fill highball glass with ice. Add ingredients in a shaker. Roll to mix. Pour over ice. Garnish with a cherry.