It’s not all beer and bbq’s this Fourth of July. Raise a glass, this Fourth of July holiday, your drinks are getting in on the festivities, too.
Here are 5 of our favorite American drinks:
1. Booze-Infused Strawberry Bites
1-lb. fresh strawberries
1 bottle rum
white melting chocolate
blue sprinkles
* soak the strawberries in rum for at least 24-hrs. to get maximum booze-infused flavor
Place the pre-washed berries in a jar and submerge them with rum. Let soak for a full day before continuing. After soaking, pat dry the berries and dip them halfway into melted white chocolate. After the chocolate, dip the lower portion of the berry into the blue sprinkles to add a tiered effect.
2. Firework Mojito
1 handful mint leaves (about 10-15 leaves)
2-3 strawberries (additional for garnish)
3-tbsp. blueberries (additional for garnish)
1/2 lime, juiced
1-tsp. granulated sugar
Ice
Club soda
1 1/2 ounces rum
*This recipe yields 1 drink, so take into account when making more.
Muddle strawberries, blueberries, mint, lime juice and sugar together in the bottom of the serving glass (mix until sugar is dissolved and the berries are broken down). Gradually stir in rum. Fill glass with ice and add club soda. Garnish with additional berries and mint leaves (if desired).
Get Saucey’s list of rum here.
3. Star-Spangled Sangria
1-lb. strawberries
1-pint blueberries
sliced pineapples
1 cup apple juice
1 bottle dry white wine
1 bottle champagne
Mix the white wine, strawberries, blueberries, and apple juice together in a large bowl or pitcher. Cover and store in the refrigerator for 2-4 hours. Slowly stir in the champagne, pineapples and ice only when ready to serve.
Get Saucey’s list of white wine here.
Get Saucey’s list of champagne here.
4. Red, White, and Blue Jello Shots
2 packs Pop Rocks
1 Strawberry Red Jello Mix (small)
1 Blue Raspberry Jello Mix (small)
1 box unflavored gelatin
1 cup vanilla vodka
1 cup vodka
1 cup pineapple vodka
1/2 cup Coconut Cream
3 1/2 cups water
Use a pan or pour in individual cups to get the layered effect. For layer #1 (red), first, follow the instructions on the red jello box. Once the jello mix is boiling, stir in vanilla vodka (of your choice). Pour into pan or cups and let cool (about 2 hours).
Layer #2 (white) should be started one hour before the red layer is finished. Follow mix instructions on the unflavored gelatin box and bring to a boil. Once boiling, stir in 1/2 cup of pineapple vodka and 1/2 cup Coconut Cream. When layer #1 is firm and layer #2 is at room temperature, begin pouring it on top of the first, then setting back into the refrigerator to cool (about 2 hours).
Start Layer #3 just as layer #2 – one hour before the second layer is done. Follow box instructions and bring water to a boil. Once boiling, remove from heat and add blue jello mix. Add 1 cup vodka and bring to room temperature. When the previous layers are firm begin adding the third layer, setting back into the refrigerator (about 2-4 hours).
Get Saucey’s list of vodka here.
5. Watermelon Keg
1 large watermelon
1 large knife
1 large cutting board
Spoon, melon baller, or ice cream scooper
1 small knife/apple corer
Spigot
The watermelon keg is always a crowd-pleaser. This simple concoction ends up as both a sweet spirit and a fun-to-serve table decoration.
Cut a hole in a large watermelon, on the top about 2 inches down. The bottom, cut off 1/2 inch so it sits flat. This will be the base or stand.
Use the spoon, scooper, or melon baller to scoop out all of the watermelon’s inside. Save some of these little balls of watermelon to add in at the end, depending on the cocktail you want to fill it with.
This is where you insert the spigot. Often available on Amazon, Walmart, or in kitchen supply stores, this spigot needs to be tight and sit about 2 inches above the bottom of the watermelon. Carefully use your small knife to cut a hole for the spigot to fit into. Make sure it is secure, and try for a small hole and squeeze the spigot in so it doesn’t leak. Smaller the better, and cut more if needed.
Once the spigot is in place, all you need to do is add your favorite drink. Some prefer straight vodka to infuse the watermelon and take shots with. Others prefer a sweeter cocktail, like a Watermelon Lemonade. Any of these summer cocktails filled in the watermelon keg will be a hit.
