Tag Archives: 4th of July

Three Refreshing Cocktails for 4th of July

Sorrento Sling

Sorrento Sling photo copyright Cheri Loughlin2 measures Limoncello

1 measure Gin

1 measure Fresh Lemon Juice

3 measures Club Soda

Sliced Lemon Wedge Garnish

Combine limoncello, gin and lemon juice in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled Collins glass. Top with chilled club soda. Garnish with lemon wedge.

Extremely light and refreshing cocktail. Where Limoncello can often come across rather sweet on the tongue, it feathers out quite nicely in perfect balance with fresh lemon tartness and pleasant gin botanicals. This just might be the ideal adult Lemonade substitute without all the sugary tart fuss. Alternative serve: Sorrento Sling can also be dressed with Brut Champagne rather than Club Soda for more formal affairs.

Scarlet Pimpernel

Scarlet Pimpernel photo copyright Cheri Loughlin1 measure Premium Orange Liqueur

1 measure Pimm’s No. 1

1-1/2 measure Cranberry Juice

1-1/2 measure Apple Juice

1/4 measure Fresh Lime Juice

Lime Wheel Garnish

Place ice in highball glass. Build liquids over ice in order given. Stir briefly. Garnish with lime wheel.

Pleasant, light flavor of Pimm’s beneath this fruited long drink. Leans slightly toward the sweet side which could be remedied in a jiff by dialing down the orange liqueur slightly or adding just a wee bit more lime juice for tartness factor. Sure fire winner by far with simple build, cool name and easy, flavorful sipping. Alternative’s: Would also be lovely to try the Scarlet Pimpernel with Aperol, Cynar or Campari in exchange for the Pimm’s No. 1.

Sassy Melon – created by Cheri Loughlin

Sassy Melon created by Cheri Loughlin - photo copyright Cheri Loughlin2 measures Cachaca

3 measures Watermelon Juice

1/2 measure Fresh Lime Juice

Lime Twist Garnish

Place ice in large rocks glass or goblet. Combine liquids over ice. Stir. Garnish with lime twist.

This is perhaps one of the easiest on the fly fruit flavored Caipirinhas imaginable. With watermelon juice now available in ready to pour containers, this drink is merely seconds from construction to relaxation. Alternative:Add 1/2 measure Mad Melon Liqueur and increase Fresh Lime Juice to 3/4 measure.

Cheri Loughlin is a leading cocktail and photography resource for beverage companies, event planners, businesses and individuals. High resolution cocktail and beverage stock photography images are available in downloadable digital format in the newly redesigned Stock Photography Gallery at www.cheriloughlin.com.

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2011 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin.

 

4th of July Recipe Cards

Be the hero of the party this Independence Day…American Flag Shot Recipe Card - digital download

Cheri Loughlin is a leading cocktail and photography resource for beverage companies, event planners, businesses and individuals. High resolution cocktail and beverage stock photography images are available in downloadable digital format in the newly redesigned Stock Photography Gallery at www.cheriloughlin.com.

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2012 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin.

 

Red, White & Blue Cocktails

Fourth of July rings in the unofficial start of summer with picnics, parades, fireworks and steady flow of fun and laughter.  Keep everyone’s thirst refreshed with cocktails that utilize fresh fruits of the season and the sparkling colors of Red, White & Blue to correspond with Independence day celebrations.

Twisted utilizes a diet peach flavored water, but has no diet connotation in the drink.  The taste is fresh, light and definitely slurp worthy. 

Twisted – created by Cheri Loughlin

Twisted - created by Cheri Loughlin - photo copyright Cheri Loughlin6 Fresh Raspberries

2 Fresh Pineapple Spears (1 inch x 3 inch)

1-1/2 ounce Peach Rum

2 ounces Welch’s Diet Peach Twist

1 ounce Club Soda or Brut Champagne

Muddle fresh fruit in bottom of mixing glass.  Add peach rum and Welch’s Diet Peach Twist with ice.  Shake to blend and chill.  Strain into highball glass or goblet over fresh ice.  Top with club soda or brut champagne according to preference.  Stir.

Pearl is an adaptation of the Perfect Margarita.  The real hook for Pearl is the garnish; olives.  Usually saved for classic martinis, the olive becomes the surprise find for this margarita.  My version pops up the heat with jalapeno stuffed olives. Nix the olives if they don’t float your boat, but definitely take this margarita out for a spin.

Pearl – created by Cheri Loughlin

3 ounce Blanco TequilaPearl - created by Cheri Loughlin - photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

1 ounce Fresh Lime Juice

1/2 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice

3/4 ounce Agave Nectar

1/4 ounce Cointreau

Salt for Garnished Rim

Queen Size Jalapeño Stuffed Olives Garnish

Rim cocktail glass with salt and set aside.  Combine all liquid ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake vigorously to blend and chill.  Strain into cocktail glass over ice or even better, serve straight up.  Garnish with skewered jalepeno olives. 

When I think of blueberry vodka or blueberries in general, the old television series Happy Days and Richie singing “I found my thrill on blueberry hill…” starts jingling through my head.  Thrilled brings in the beautiful flavor of blueberries while allowing the sweetness of fresh pineapple to interweave into the mix.  Depending upon your sweet tooth, vary the simple syrup.  Fresh egg white adds a little froth and complexity to the drink, but isn’t necessary for a thrilling good time. 

Thrilled – created by Cheri Loughlin

2 Fresh Pineapple Spears (1 inch by 3 inch)Thrilled - created by Cheri Loughlin - photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

2 ounce Blueberry Vodka

1/2 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice

1/4 to 1/2 ounce Simple Syrup (according to taste)

1 Egg White – optional

Muddle pineapple and simple syrup in bottom of mixing glass.  If adding egg white, do so at this point and dry shake.  Add vodka, lemon juice and ice to mixing glass.  Shake to blend and chill.  Strain into chilled cocktail glass.