Fourth of July staples: bonfires, American flags, barbecue and booze (‘Murica). Take your cookout to the next level with these patriotic drink recipes. They might even replace fireworks as the crowd favorite.
1. Born Free
This layered drink is tasty and–thank the drunk gods–doesn’t require too many ingredients. Just be careful when you’re pouring the alcohol or you’ll end up with a brown mess instead of a striped work of art.
2. Life and Liberty
This one mixes raspberry sherbet and alcohol for a perfect summer treat. Technically it calls for a cocktail shaker, but unless you’re a real classy adult, you probably don’t have that. Just put it in a sippy cup for easy shaking and drinking. No spills to clean up in the morning? Happy birthday to me (and America, I guess).
3. Mexican Red Hot
Despite the un-American name (sorry y’all), this shot is perfect for the holiday. The spicy cinnamon and tequila flavor can only be matched by the sparklers you’ll definitely be lighting.
4. Marshmallow Shooter
S’mores are a summer classic, so it’s only logical to take them up a notch by adding alcohol. This drink calls for either vodka or rum, so you can make it however you like. Don’t forget to top with marshmallows and double fist with a bar of chocolate.
5. Red, White and Bubbly
This fruity cocktail combines champagne and fresh summer fruit. The blackberry brandy adds a sweet, unexpected kick and the combination of fruit gives the drink a patriotic look.
6. Watermelon-Blueberry Cooler
This drink uses summery flavors like watermelon and lemon to create a fresh, crisp taste. Blending the alcohol with ice creates a sweet, slushy creation that’ll keep you cool when the kiddie-infested pool can’t.
7. Jell-O Firecrackers
Technically this recipe is non-alcoholic, but every college kid knows how to make Jell-O shots. Mix the different colors and layer them in little shot glasses. If your mom asks, you totally followed the recipe and didn’t learn how to make these freshman year in a communal bathroom.
8. White Wine Berry Sangria
Ah, sangria. Everyone’s favorite way to drink copious amounts of wine without realizing it. This white wine recipe uses raspberry vodka and fresh strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. It’s so patriotic that bald eagles will start flying over your backyard cookout when the sangria’s all gone…at least that’s what you’ll see.
9. Red, White and Blue Daiquiris
This recipe will satisfy everyone: each color daiquiri is a different flavor. They all start with the same lemon-lime base, but strawberries and raspberries and blue curacao, which is orange flavored (weird, I know), add some color (and patriotism) to your binge drinking.
10. Summer Honey
This drink is basically summer on ice. Honey whiskey, lemon and pineapple combine to create sunshine in your mouth.
11. Grapefruit Crush
With a cute name like this, how could you not love this drink? It’s pretty much all grapefruit flavored stuff, so a major citrus sweet tooth is required. But no sugar crash here. Its light, summery flavor will leave you feeling refreshed all night.
12. Coconut and Jalapeño Slushy
Please hold– I’m making this drink right now. The combination of sweet and spicy is insane and any time you can serve a drink inside a coconut shell, I’m in (It makes me feel like an island princess). If you’re already having a barbecue, it’s easy enough to toss some coconut next to your burgers.
13. Blueberry Lemonade with Ginger and Basil
Again, technically no alcohol in this one, but toss a bit of R-rated, lemon-flavored anything in there and you’re good to go. It’s a bit more labor-intensive on the prep side, so maybe ask your cool aunt to help you with this one.
14. Beergarita
Cookouts without beer are a sin in my household. Upgrade your Sam Adams – which obviously you’ll be drinking because Founding Fathers, dude – with this recipe.
15. American Dream
Nothing’s more American than a good cup of coffee, and this shot plays with the flavors of your favorite morning drink. It’s got a raspberry base, making it more of a dessert shot, but calories and bad decisions don’t count on Fourth of July.
16. Apple Pie Cocktail
Nothing like a little whiskey, apple liqueur and cranberry juice. Make sure you’ve got a piece of pie to go with it.
17. Blackberry Mint Julep
Mint juleps are the pinnacle of class and adding some blackberries puts a patriotic spin on them. So pull out your derby hats and sundresses and add this drink to the menu for a more high-class cookout.
18. Air Force One
A mixologist created this drink especially for President Obama’s inauguration, so you know it’s good stuff, even with the fun blue color. It’s citrusy sweet and who doesn’t want to get drunk like the president?
19. Bomb Pop Blast
Remember those bomb pops you got from the ice cream truck? This drink uses those as the mixer just to bring you back to summers past. Drink up and run through the sprinkler for old times’ sake.
20. Sugar Cookie Pudding Shots
You read that right. Cookies and pudding and vodka, oh my. Another layered drink that’s super simple to make and super easy to devour. There’s nothing like an alcoholic desert to compliment a day of too many hot dogs.
