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Straight Up: Top 4 Cocktails for the 4th of July

2008_07_04-4thJulyCocktails.jpgWe’re hosting a small gathering of friends and family for Independence Day this year, and have been busily browsing through some of our favorite cocktail books for inspiration.

Here are four of our personal top picks for Fourth-of-July-themed drinks:

 
 

For a refreshing muddled-fruit option that can be made with or without alcohol:

Independence Day Punch (adapted from Dale Degroff, The Craft of the Cocktail)
makes one drink

1/2 cup watermelon chunks (seeds and rind removed)
1 1/2 ounces simple syrup
3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
4 ounces brewed tea (chilled)
1 1/2 ounces citrus vodka (optional)

In a mixing glass, muddle the melon with the simple syrup until the fruit is watery. Add the remaining ingredients and shake with ice. Strain into a tall glass filled with ice and garnish with a slice of lemon.


For a cool, sophisticated classic that doesn't come on too strong:

The Americano Cocktail (as blogged by Faith during our special cocktail week in May)


For a sassy Transatlantic salute:

Blushing Monarch (adapted from Peter Dorelli (and Harry Craddock), The Savoy Cocktail Book)
makes one cocktail

1 1/2 ounces gin
1 ounce Campari
1 ounce orange curacao
1 1/2 ounces passion fruit juice

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker over ice. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange slice, a wedge of lime, and a cherry.


For something with a little 1950s-style patriotic flair:

Betsy Ross Cocktail (adapted from Gary Regan, The Joy of Mixology)
makes one cocktail

1 1/2 ounces brandy
1 1/2 ounces ruby port
1/2 ounce curacao
1-2 dashes Angostura bitters

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker over ice. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass.


Do you have any Fourth of July cocktail favorites? Let us know!

Related: Summer Cocktails: The Full Roundup

(Image: Nora Maynard)

-Nora

Tags

Holidays - 4th of July, Beverages, Liquor, cocktail, Straight Up

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Comments (6)

May I suggest my delish red, white, and blue sangria? it is a recipe I developed esp for the 4th of July!
http://gastronormous.com/?p=408

posted by gastronormous on July 4th 2008 at 8:24am
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Can't go wrong with a 4th of July strawberry daiquiri. It's delicious and it looks festive. http://maisonbisson.com/blog/post/11643/celebrate-independence-day-with-a-drink

posted by TowerGirl on July 4th 2008 at 2:33pm
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At a cookout, I like a shandy, a mix of lemonade and beer.

posted by Kate (NC) on July 4th 2008 at 6:00pm
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The Harvard Crimson Cocktail:

2 oz good bourbon
.5 oz Cointreau
1tsp grenadine syrup
5 dashes Peychaud's bitters
1 slice blood orange on a red cocktail sword pick

Mix and serve over 4 ice cubes.

Created to honor the Harvard Fencing Team winning the Ivy Championship in 2007.

Sweet enough for the fencing girls, strong enough for the fencing boys.

posted by dksbook on July 5th 2008 at 6:53am
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I love The Kitchn, but MAN has there been what seems like a ton of postings about BOOZE lately.

It would be super-duper if there could be an equal or close-to-equal amount of fun non-alcoholic drink recipes for us teetotalers and AA members. Ja?

posted by Bx on July 5th 2008 at 11:55am
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We always have hurricanes at the fish fry. They look so pretty, all red and orange and, um, hurricane-y.

posted by dena on July 7th 2008 at 10:22am
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