Image via Complex Original
It’s America's birthday. Don't you want to impress your family and friends by showing them how crafty and American you are? All you have to do is whip up a few of these cocktails inspired by casting off the throes of British rule. No taxation without representation, and no national holiday without a few drinks. So, set off some fireworks—in their mouth (pause.) Here are the cocktails you need to make this July 4 the most popping day of the summer.
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Berry Explosive Raspado
Ingredients:
4 parts Milagro Silver
1 part Fresh Lime Juice
2 parts Agave Nectar
8 Raspberries
12 Blueberries
4 Fresh Mint Leaves
6 dashes Peach Bitters
Method: Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Fill two glasses with crushed or shaved ice and pour over. Top with raspberries and blueberries
Hendrick's Cucumber Lemonade
Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz Hendrick's Gin (1 ½ part)
4 1/2 oz cucumber puree* (4 ½ part)
Method: Shake ingredients well and strain over fresh ice in a tall glass, garnish with a long rod of cucumber. *To make cucumber puree: Blend 1 cucumber with 3 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice and 4 oz simple syrup
Juan Collins
Ingredients:
1 ½ parts Hornitos® Plata Tequila
1 part agave nectar
Splash of freshly squeezed orange juice
Club soda
Basil leaf
Method: Add tequila, agave and squeeze fresh orange juice into a glass with ice. Top with club soda and garnish with orange and a basil leaf.
Solerno Smash
Ingredients:
4 parts oz Solerno
1 part fresh lemon juice
1 orange wedge squeezed and dropped in
2 dashes orange bitters
6 mint leaves
Method: Assemble all ingredients (no need to muddle mint) Shake well and strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass Garnish with a blood orange wheel.
Liberty Punch
Ingredients:
200ml / 6 oz Belvedere Mango Passion
Top fresh pressed lemonade
Method: Combine ingredients with ice in a large pitcher and serve with slices of fresh mango. Serves 4-6.
Freedom Fizz
Ingredients:
2 oz Belvedere
Pink Grapefruit
½ oz Mozart Dry
3 oz cream soda
One bar spoon Campari
Method: Build over ice into a highball glass. Top with cream soda and garnish with a grapefruit slice.
The Washington Apple
Ingredients:
50ml/2oz Belvedere Lemon Tea
50ml/2oz Coconut Water
50ml/2oz Cloudy Apple
Method: Build over cubed ice. Garnish with an apple fan.
Independent Lady
Ingredients:
2 oz Belvedere
Pink Grapefruit
¾ oz Triple Sec
¾ oz Lemon Juice
Dash Simple Syrup
Dash Egg White (optional)
Method: Shake all ingredients vigorously and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with an orange twist.
Lillet Rouge Sangria
Ingredients:
3 parts Lillet Rouge or Blanc
½ part fresh lime juice
Lemon-lime soda
Diced fresh fruit of choice (berries, apples, grapes, oranges, etc.)
Method: Build cocktail over ice in a wine glass or Collins glass and stir to combine. Top with lemon-lime soda and garnish with an orange slice
Strawberry Fireworks
Ingredients:
3 parts Hornitos® Plata Tequila
Handful of fresh strawberries
Juice from 1 lime
2 teaspoons superfine sugar
Fresh pepper
1 cup club soda
Method: Put strawberries in a small pitcher and mash to your desired consistency. Add juice, club soda, Hornitos® Plata and combine along with 4 good grinds from the pepper mill. Fill 2 glasses halfway with ice and divide drink among glasses.
Monkey Jam Cooler
Ingredients:
1.5 oz Monkey Shoulder
0.5 oz Sugar syrup
1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
0.5 oz Soda Water
2 tsp Jam
Dash of Orange Bitters
Method: Combine ingredients except the soda water in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain over fresh ice into a tall glass and top with soda water.
Sailor Jerry LIBERtea
Ingredients:
2 oz Sailor Jerry spiced rum
4 oz Fresh Lemonade Lime wedge
Method: Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass.
Reyka Firecracker Punch
Ingredients:
1 bottle Reyka Vodka
1.5 cups Watermelon Juice
1 cup Pineapple Juice
1 cup Lime Juice
5 Mint leaves
Method: Combine ingredients in a punch bowl or pitcher with large ice and stir.
1800 Americana Margarita
Ingredients:
1.5 oz 1800 Tequila
0.75 oz Blue Curacao
0.5 oz Pineapple Juice
Splash Lemon-Lime soda
Splash of Lime Juice
Method: Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain over fresh ice into a rocks or margarita glass.
Maestro Dobel Black Diamond Margarita
Ingredients:
2 oz Maestro Dobel Tequila
0.5 oz Fresh-squeezed Lime Juice
0.5 oz Agave nectar
Method: Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain over fresh ice into a rocks or margarita glass.