I love this time of year! The weather is hot and the drinks are cold. I’m looking forward to fireworks, barbeques, and friends and family gathered around the picnic table. Hopefully, you will kick back with one of these refreshing cocktails and take pride in the fact that we live in such a wonderful country.

Lady Liberty

The Statue of Liberty, designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, was given to the United States as a gift of friendship from the French and has been a symbol of freedom and pride for the people of the USA ever since. Lady Liberty (the drink), strong, elegant and with a French kick, does its namesake justice.

1 oz. Pernod

1 oz. Grey Goose Citron

2 oz. American Sparkling Wine, such as Chandon or Mumm Napa Brut (Also rooted in France)

Garnish with candied ginger

Build in a shaker and stir. Serve chilled in a champagne flute.

Firecracker 

Dangerously fun, firecrackers are exciting and colorful, just like this drink! It’s a layered drink, so take your time to get it right.

1.5 oz. Valentine’s Vodka

1 oz. Fresh-Squeezed Lemon Juice

1.5 oz. Blue Curaçao

1 oz. Grenadine

Splash of Simple Syrup

Fill a tall collins glass with ice. Slowly add grenadine.
Next, add Blue Curacao—slowly. The weight of the liquid is different from the grenadine, so it floats on top.
Then, take a shaker and add ice, lemon juice, simple syrup and vodka. Cover and shake. Slowly add to the glass.

Garnish with a cherry.

Apple Pie 

Apple Pie has been a symbol of classic American eats for generations. Fireball Whiskey makes this cocktail a sweet rendition with a spicy kick!

1 oz. Fireball Whiskey

1 oz. Dekuyper Sour Apple Schnapps

½ oz. Pineapple Juice

½ oz. Sour Mix

Shake and strain over crushed ice.

Sparkler 

A refreshing berry-filled cocktail is hard to resist on a hot summer’s night! This drink is clean and flavorful with a lively spritz! Made with Tito’s Vodka from Texas and Ono—Hawaiian for delicious—Tropical Liqueur from Michigan, this drink is all American!

1 oz. Tito’s Vodka

2 oz. Ono Tropical Liqueur

2 oz. Cranberry Lime Polar Sparkling Water

½ oz. Sliced Strawberries

Handful of Blueberries

Crushed Ice

Place the strawberries at the bottom of a collins glass. Fill with crushed ice and all other ingredients. Float the blueberries on top and stir.

This weekend, as we stand in front of grills, splash each other in pools, or go out on the boat, take a minute to think of the many brave people who have come before us to make this country great!

Enjoy!

Jennifer Laurie