Five Perfect 4th of July Cocktails

Perfectly Refreshing

Celebrate Independence Day with good company, a good barbeque and some great cocktails. If you're wondering what drinks to serve this July 4th, let our cocktail guide help you decide:

The Mojito

Light and refreshing, the mojito is a quintessential summer drink. The minty flavor also plays well off spicy barbeque food, making it a perfect pick for the Fourth.

Ingredients:

Ice
6 ounces light rum
12 mint sprigs, or spearmint, 8 roughly broken apart
6 tablespoons fresh lime juice
4 tablespoons sugar
Club soda
4 slices lime

Preparation:

• Place ice in beverage shaker then add in the rum, 8 broken up mint sprigs, lime juice and sugar.
• Shake well and serve over ice in a high ball glass.
• Top off each glass with a splash of club soda.
• Garnish each with a slice of lime and a sprig of mint.

*Recipe Courtesy the Food Network

Celebrate Fourth of July with an impressive Barbeque. Our expert article has recipes, tips and décor details to make planning a cinch.

American Cobbler

What could be more American than cobbler? It's the perfect patriotic
drink for toasting to our Independence.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz bourbon
1 oz southern comfort
1-3 dashes peach brandy
3-5 dashes lemon juice
simple sugar (to taste)
soda water

Preparation:

• Combine all but soda water in shaker with ice.
• Mix thoroughly and strain into rocks glass with ice.
• Garnish with peach or mint.

Chi Chi Cocktail

This is a sweet cocktail perfect for sipping on the beach while
watching the fireworks. And if you're not on the beach, this summer
specialty will certainly make you feel like you are!

Ingredients:
3 ounces vodka
4 ounces pineapple juice
2 ounces cream of coconut
1 teaspoon confectioners' sugar, or more if desired
1 cup crushed ice
2 thin slices pineapple, speared with 2 maraschino cherries on
toothpicks, for garnish
Paper umbrellas, for garnish

Preparation:

• Combine the vodka, pineapple juice, cream of coconut, sugar, and ice in a blender.
• Blend on high speed until frothy and well combined, about 30 seconds.
• Pour into 2 chilled glasses, and garnish with the pineapple slices and umbrellas.

*Recipe courtesy of the Food Network

After the 4th of July is over, re-use those red, white and blue decorations
(and leftover party snacks!) by throwing a Bastille Day party. Vive la Révolution!

Pimm's Cup

We may be celebrating our Independence from the British, but that
doesn't mean we can't enjoy their favorite summer cocktail while doing
so!

Ingredients:

Ice cubes
1 lemon slice per drink
1 cucumber slice per drink
1 cup seltzer or lemon-lime soda
3 cups lemonade
1 cup Pimm's No. 1 Cup

Preparation:

• Fill glasses with ice cubes.
• Divide the lemon and cucumber slices among the glasses.
• In a large pitcher, pour in the seltzer, lemonade and Pimm's and stir to mix.
• Pour the mix into the ice-filled glasses and enjoy!

Cowgirl Shots

It's how the West was won! Jokes aside, this peachy shot is light and
fruity enough to be a summertime favorite.

Ingredients:

25ml chilled peach schnapps
15ml Baileys Irish Cream
Peach wedge to garnish

Preparation:

• Pour the chilled schnapps into a shot glass.
• Using the back of a bar spoon, slowly layer the Baileys over the schnapps.
• Place a peach wedge on the rim of the glass to be eaten after the shot has been drunk.

*Recipe courtesy of Creative Parties