25 Easy 4th of July Cocktails That'll Steal the (Fireworks) Show
Whether you’re throwing a big bash or just keeping things low-key with your family, these patriotic cocktails will definitely impress (especially the red, white and blue ones). Best of all, most of them call for just a few ingredients, so they’re easy to whip up while keeping your eye on the barbecue. Here are 25 easy 4th of July cocktails that our forefathers could totally get behind.
RELATED: The 50 Best Fourth of July Recipes for a Summer Cookout
1. Sparkling Red, White and Blue Sangria
Brandy and sparkling white wine make this flag-inspired sipper. Tip: Use a cookie cutter to punch apple slices into stars.
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2. Red, White and Blue(berry) Margaritas
The only right way to spend the 4th? Red, white and buzzed. This blended beauty should do the trick with layers of strawberry, blueberry and coconut margarita.
3. Firecracker Berry Margarita Floats
When it comes to floats, our philosophy is go big or go home. So, vanilla ice cream in our marg fits the bill, not to mention the decorative, over-the-top fruit skewers.
4. Raspberry-Lime Champagne Punch
Champagne is très chic, but any sparkling white wine like prosecco or cava will work fine. Drop a few blueberries into each glass to make it festive.
5. Frozen Sangria
The blender is your BFF when it comes to frosty cocktails. Give three types of berries and fresh orange juice a whirl.
6. Grilled Strawberry Lemonade
Bust out your barbecue skills for happy hour. The fruit gets charred on the grill before reaching the pitcher. It’s virgin, but we give you permission to add vodka.
7. Blackberry Grapefruit Margaritas
Citrus and tequila team up with sweet muddled blackberries for a vibrant drink. Bonus points for coating the glass rims with red, white and blue sprinkles.
8. Blackberry Pineapple Smash
Two of summer's favorite fruits in one glass. The best part? It works with basically any silver liquor you have. We'll take ours with salt.
9. Grown-Up Pink Lemonade
This spiked lemonade is guaranteed to be a picnic favorite.
10. Blueberry, Gin and Sage Punch
Serving a crowd? Break out your biggest punch bowl or drink dispenser for your fanciest party cocktail yet. P.S.: The blackberries are strained so you get all of the sweet flavor without a single seed.
11. Blackberry and Meyer Lemon Gin and Tonic
Fresh mint and simple syrup make for a drink that's equal parts herbaceous and sweet. To make your own simple syrup, bring 1 cup water to a boil on the stove and stir in 1 cup sugar until dissolved.
12. Peach Prosecco Punch
If you have four ingredients and five minutes, your new go-to bubbly gem is within reach. The secret is bottled peach nectar.
13. Red, White and Blue Vanilla Bean Spritzers
Strawberry and blueberry ice cubes will be a fun surprise for the kids. You'll love the homemade vanilla-bean simple syrup. Especially with a dash of rum or vodka.
14. Red, White and Blueberry Jello Shots
These are so much cuter than what you remember from college. You'll get three layers of flavor (hello, tart cherry, coconut and lemon) in every bite.
15. Blueberry Mojitos for a Crowd
Okay, these are less red, white and blue and more pretty in pink. But garnish with a few blueberries and it'll totally complement the drink's reddish hue.
16. Blueberry Lemonade
The season's signature drink just leveled up. Think fresh-squeezed lemons and the easiest blueberry simple syrup ever. Pass the vodka.
17. Pomegranate Blueberry Floats
USA's colors shine bright in this combo of pomegranate soda, blueberries and ice cream. Add a dash of vodka and you're in business.
18. Blue Lagoon Cocktail
Despite its Bahamas-blue color, blue curaçao actually tastes like citrus. Add extra cherries for a festive finish.
19. Smashed Berry Rosé Spritz
We're suckers for patriotic garnishes. Especially when they're made of juicy nectarines. This cocktail's loaded with tequila, fresh basil and St. Germain (that's elderflower liqueur).
20. Hibiscus Cherry Vodka Spritz
Honey, pineapple juice and dried hibiscus flowers make one fancy drink you'll keep in your arsenal for good. Garnish with blueberries and cherries or coat the glass rim with blue sugar sprinkles.
21. Easy Berry Sangria
Fresh fruit. Sugar. Lemon-lime soda. A bottle of rosé. Well, that was easy. Nightcap on the patio, anyone?
22. Bourbon Cherry Old Fashioned
Do you have whiskey lovers coming to the barbecue? Consider them covered. Swap out honey for sugar to get a grit-free sip every time.
23. Blackberry Champagne Mule
A classic cocktail with a fruity, sophisticated twist. We're toasting America's birthday right before dessert.
24. Blackberry Bramble
A bramble is an old-school British cocktail made with dry gin, lemon, simple syrup and blackberry liqueur. This one gets spiked with ginger soda too.
25. Cherry Floats
The homemade, three-ingredient cherry syrup is a real game changer. Add a splash of coconut rum or vanilla vodka for a grown-up spin.