The Intoxicologist

Independence Day is celebrated throughout the country with parades, charity events, picnics, neighborhood gatherings and of course backyard grilling.  Fireworks and laughter ring out clearly after dark signaling freedom and merriment of an entire nation united in celebration.  Fourth of July begins the unofficial start of summer.  Refreshing summer cocktails utilizing fresh fruits of the season are the perfect addition to tantalize the taste buds throughout the spirited Independence Day celebrations. 

Three cocktail recipes below feature the colors or flavors of Red, White & Blue to correspond with 4th of July 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

6 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 found on the cocktail menu of a favorite restaurant bar frequented years ago.  The margarita was served straight up with the remainder of the drink left in the cocktail shaker for sipping leisure.  It becomes a watery mess if left in the shaker.  The real hook for the ‘Perfect’ was the garnish; traditional olives.  Usually saved for classic martinis, the olive became the surprise find for this margarita.  This version pops up the heat with jalapeno stuffed olives and fresher recipe that does not call for mass market sour or margarita mix.  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 parts Cabo Wabo Blanco Tequila

1 part Fresh Lime Juice

1/2 part Fresh Lemon Juice

3/4 part Agave Nectar

1/4 part 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 serve straight up.  Garnish with skewered 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 to the mix and adds a little complexity, but isn’t necessary for a thrilling good time. 

Thrilled – created by Cheri Loughlin

2 Fresh Pineapple Spears (1 inch by 3 inch)

2 parts Blueberry Vodka

1/2 part Fresh Lemon Juice

1/4 to 1/2 part 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. 

Additional cocktails playing upon the glow of summer and fireworks have been linked in the cocktail guide below.  Easy build summertime favorites within the classic and traditional cocktail category have also been added.  Mocktails and lower calorie cocktails can be found for those looking for a few more options.  Celebrations are meant for a little fun infusion, so a few shot recipes have been added. 

Please enjoy the holiday, but do so responsibly.

Independence Day – 4th of July Cocktail, Drink & Shot Recipes

Playing with Fire – Ginger Vodka and Tequila pair; definitely playing with fire

Sweet Tea seems almost traditional with summertime, cookouts and getting together with friends.  Put a little spirited fun into the mix and entertaining is a snap.

Chris’ Cran Lemonade utilizes fresh cranberries and agave syrup

Cobey’s Cran Tea mixes easy with cranberry juice and club soda

Julep Tea Spin takes the classic on the ride of its life in this easy, breezy version

Orange Swell – sit back and enjoy the fireworks with this lush tea concoction

Yuzu Firecracker – Worlds collide when tequila meets Sake (Cocktail created for Beam Global using Hornitos Tequila)

Glitter Island sparkles in your glass while fireworks light up the night (Cocktail commissioned by representatives of Pernod Ricard for the Hiram Walker line of products)

Pinky Sparkle twinkles and glows

Torched Cherry Limeade – childhood favorite gets all grown up

Red Sky at Night – when the night heats up & things start popping

Kentucky Sparkler – even bourbon shines

Bourbon Sling – long on Southern summertime refreshment

Red Melon – watermelon meets bourbon

Classic to Traditional

Fuzzy Navel – an oldie but goodie from the New England Highball family

Ultimate Mojito – minty fresh, completely invigorating

Classic & Hemingway Daiquiri (Papa Doble) – essentials to summer entertaining

Pina Colada – bring out the blender and start mixing

Caipirinha – serve this one on the rocks, up or with muddled fruit

Sex on the Beach – because it’s fun, that’s why

Cuba Libre w/a twist – even a classic needs a jolt sometimes

21 Must Try Classic Cocktail Recipes

Top 10 Classic Cocktails

Mocktails

Sparkling Mango easily fills the glass without tipping your consciousness

Peach Fizz – a pleasing party punch that mixes easily (alternative version included)

Sex on the Beach – because no summertime party is complete without it

Pink Melon – take advantage of summer seasons finest fruit

Mockup Margarita – for those who love to indulge but want a break in between

A Shot of Fun

Oreo Cookie – let the good times roll

Lemon Drop Shot and PB&J Shot – liquid candy

Bubble Blow Pop Shots – tastes like Jolly Ranchers, Blow Pops & Sweet Tarts…Wowser!

Friday Night Favorite Shot Recipes

Top 10 Popular Shot Recipes

Lower Calorie

Raspberry Ringer – a favorite sipper for long refreshment lower calories

A Tale of Two Limes – the classic gin and tonic gets a makeover with flavored vodka

Bikini Blueberry – strut your stuff while sipping this delicious lower calorie, full flavored drink

Hurricane Teenied – Big taste, lower calories

Jim’s Peach Fizz – Lower calorie version of a Fuzzy Navel

Mai Tai-Teenie – never give up flavor when cutting back on calories again

Tequila Cocktails Your Way

Finding Affordable Entertaining Options for 4th of July Drink Recipes

Toast our Nation’s Spirit this 4th of July with Tommy Bahama

National Watermelon Day turns Bourbon, Rum, Vodka, Tequila and Cachaca Cocktails Refreshingly Pink

The Intoxicologist on Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon

www.discus.org – Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

Email: str8upcocktails@gmail.com

Copyright 2010 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved

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Copyright 2009 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved