20 Perfect Cocktails To Enjoy This Independence Day

Full of sparkle, stars and stripes, these cocktails will set off some fireworks of their own this holiday.

Bomb Pop Margarita

At Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, frozen strawberry margarita, blue curacao and a classic red, white and blue Bomb Pop. “We created this festive frozen margarita a few summers ago and it’s been a huge hit every year since. You can find the Bomb Pop Margarita not only in Oklahoma, but at all Fuzzy’s Taco Shops nationwide this summer. The nostalgia of the drink is unbeatable and is the perfect sip for a sunny 4th of July,” said Annie Tucker, Fuzzy’s Oklahoma, Marketing Director.

Summerfest Flamingo Spritz

At Phineas Bar & Grill at Loews Coral Gables Hotel, a sophisticated summer spritz made with strawberry-infused Aperol, Gunpowder Gin and Prosecco. Director of Food & Beverage Tareq Shaban says, “Fourth of July means outdoor fun and refreshing cocktails, which is why our Summerfest Flamingo Spritz is the perfect drink, whether poolside, by the grill or watching fireworks.”

SoBe Summer Spritz

At Bar Collins at Loews Miami Beach Hotel, a South Beach-inspired, ultra-refreshing spritz cocktail made with Cocchi Americano, mango liqueur, fresh mango puree and Prosecco. Director of Restaurants & Bars Lucas Scudeler says, “Mango season in Miami makes our Summerfest July 4th spritz extra tasty. Ideal for sipping on the beach under the South Beach sun, the spritz brings local flavor to the holiday festivities.”

Blackberry Spritz

At Skirt Steak in New York City, a refreshing Blackberry Spritz for summer. “The refreshing Skirt Steak blackberry spritz made with Hendrick’s Flora Adora, blackberry syrup, lemon juice, St. Germain, and sparkling wine is the perfect way to beat the summer heat. It’s light and bubbly and has an affinity for skirt steak and French fries. The fruity notes from the blackberry compliment the savory flavors of the skirt steak, while the acid from the lemon juice and effervescence of the sparkling wine is a great accompaniment to the French fries. At the same time, the cocktail helps to cleanse the palate between bites,” said Jason Hedges, author of The Seasonal Cocktail and Beverage Director at Laurent Tourondel Restaurants L’Amico, Skirt Steak and The Vine.

Taste the Rainbow

At Dabble, the restaurant located off the lobby at Conrad New York Midtown, as sparks fly into the sky, enjoy a cocktail that envisions the true shades of red, white & blue within your highball glass complete with sweet flavors of grenadine, Peach Schnapps, pineapple juice, vodka and topped with Blue Curacao. “Guests who are looking for a sweet drink to celebrate at their 4th of July Celebrations can turn to Taste The Rainbow to experience a cocktail that is a picturesque view of the fireworks that will be in the sky throughout the holiday weekend,” said Paul Calbone, lead bartender.

Stars & Stripes

Available at Wynn Las Vegas, a spicy watermelon margarita with Don Julio Blanco Tequila, watermelon juice, lime juice, habanero infused organic agave nectar, butterfly pea blossom tisane, and Wynn’s signature spiced salt. Mariena Mercer Boarini, Master Mixologist – North America, Wynn Resorts says: “The Stars & Stripes is a refreshing margarita made of ingredients that I love to use during the summer heat— watermelon, cucumber, and spicy habanero-infused agave nectar. It’s the perfect balance of sweet/heat and is equally beautiful and patriotic with its color scheme and Starfruit garnish. I wanted the cocktail to be artistic in both flavor and aesthetic.”

Color Me America

Made with 1792 Bourbon, apple pie spice cider, black walnut bitters, this cocktail can be found at the Nash Bar & Stage in Boston. “Our Color Me America cocktail not only looks but tastes like 4th of July in a glass! From the firework-esue sparkler that adorns each drink to the apple pie spice flavor in every sip, this sipper is festive, fun, and deliciously patriotic. Making for a smooth and well-balanced. experience, the bourbon and black walnut bitters add a nice depth to the drink and perfectly balance out the sweet tartness of the cider,” said Sarah Heimreid, Beverage Manager.

Red, White & Blue

Found at The Twisted Tail in Philadelphia, this cocktail is made with strawberry, lemon, and blueberry popsicle in a coupe of Comtes de Chamberi Brut. “One of our summer specialty cocktails on our menu right now is a Champagne Pop – a glass of sparkling wine with a freshly juiced local fruit popsicle in it. For July 4, we thought it would be fun to pay homage to everyone’s favorite Firecracker ice pops growing up with our own take on the summer treat. So this one is made with fresh strawberries, lemon and blueberry. You can eat the popsicle or flavor your bubbly with the popsicle, however you want to enjoy it!” said Codi Bixler, co-owner of The Twisted Tail.

The Uncle Sam

At Bar Cicchetti in Boston, located inside Hyatt Centric Faneuil Hall Boston, this cocktail is crafted using intricate layering techniques consisting of grenadine, coco lopez and Bacardi Superior, Blue Curacao and soda water to top it off. “We honor our city’s role in the fight for independence by bringing Uncle Sam back every July. It’s a crowd favorite and guests love learning about the symbolism of our flag’s colors. Red is bravery and readiness to sacrifice, blue represents justice, and white stands for purity. This cocktail celebrates all that and more,” said bartender Paige McGlynn.

Sunshine Spritz

At Eavesdrop in Brooklyn, New York, this cocktail is made with chamomile-infused Forthave blue gin, chamomile tea from Bushwick tea company, Bloomer Creek dry Riesling, Angeleno amaro from Ventura Spirits, lemon juice (made in house), honey syrup (made in house) and soda water. “The Sunshine Spritz features all American, small-batch spirits we love – a wine maker from the Finger Lakes, a Brooklyn made gin, and an amaro made in Ventura, California with local citrus. We’re excited to showcase this spritz in our new backyard and patio from brunch through dinner,” said Max Dowaliby, Manager Partner, Food & Beverage.

TAP New Fashioned

At TAP & Bitters in Warren, New Jersey, this cocktail is made with Jefferson’s Small Batch Bourbon, orange bitters, house-made port spiced wine & maple syrup. “The TAP New Fashioned is a fun take on a traditional American drink. It’s perfect to sip on while grilling or lounging poolside on Fourth of July and all summer long,” said Alida Acosta, Mixologist & Restaurant General Manager.

Misunderstood

Found at Cassis in St. Petersburg, this cocktail is made with Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, Misunderstood Ginger Spiced Whiskey, sugar cube, Angostura Bitters, garnished with Japanese jelly marshmallows. “Topped with toasted Japanese jelly marshmallows, the Misunderstood cocktail is an ode to an American summer pastime, roasting marshmallows, paired with another American-made favorite, Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey,” said Andrea Nixon, Bar Manager at Cassis.

Weenie Martini

At Art in the Age in Philadelphia, this cocktail is inspired by the All-American hot dog, made with potato vodka (re: potato bun), tomato-infused dry vermouth, pickle brine, celery bitters, sesame oil, and topped with a skewered sliced tomato, cornichon, and a hot dog wheel. “We’re prepared for Independence Day and the Dog Days of Summer, and what better way to celebrate than with a Weenie Martini in hand? It’s delicious, I swear!” commented Craig Richie, General Manager at Art in the Age. “The whole idea began with the name: ‘Weenie Martini’. Our hot dog-inspired martini will be available during the last weekend of each month through September, AND on July 4. At the core of this series is our charitable alignment with Morris Animal Refuge ($5 from each Weenie Martini goes toward MAR), but we’ll also feature a variety of pup-related pop-ups all summer long.”

Tan Lines

Found at The Bungalow Long Beach, this cocktail is made with Tanteo Jalapeno tequila, fresh watermelon, agave nectar, lime juice, Cointreau, and spicy tajin. “This cocktail is a fan favorite and embodies our summers by the coast. It’s refreshing with a hint of spice. It’s the perfect cocktail to cheers with this Fourth of July!” said Varisa Lertburapa, Assistant General Manager.

4th of July Poptails

“Enjoy stunning views of New York Harbor, Statue of Liberty, and Jersey City while toasting with an enhanced version of our signature poptails in red, white and blue shades during your 4th of July celebration in the city that never sleeps.” said Inez Morcilio, Senior Food & Beverage Manager at Conrad New York Downtown.

Red Dawn

At The Country Club in Costa Mesa, this cocktail features Avion Blanco Tequila with bold flavors of blood orange, fresh lime, housemade cherry bitters, all balanced with a touch of agave. “Much like the patriotic premise of its Hollywood namesake, Red Dawn offers an explosion of flavors. The complexity of flavors comes from tequila’s smoky undertones, balanced by tangy blood orange, zesty lime juice, and a touch of piquant cherry bitters,” said Beverage Director, Jim Valenzuela.

Starboy

Found at Next Door in Boston, this cocktail is made with St. George Citrus Vodka, Kleos Mastiha Spirit, house made starfruit syrup, house made mango syrup, Giffard Lychee liqueur, fresh lemon juice and garnished with a slice of dried starfruit. Beverage Director Josue Castillo said: “Boston is a great city to celebrate July 4th and we at Next Door love to toast to this great holiday with a festive cocktail. The crisp, white, Starboy is the perfect way to celebrate the stars and stripes. The delicious fresh fruit flavors of Starboy are perfect with a summer lunch or dinner.”

Southern Peach Tea

At Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro in Townsend, Tennessee, bar manager Michelle LaBorde created the ultimate peach cocktail to celebrate local products. The Southern Peach Tea is made with local Kings Distillery Peach Whiskey, sweet tea, Limoncello, lemon juice and mint. It’s a boozy and balanced update on everyone’s favorite summertime sipper.

Carolina Wren

At Prohibition in Charleston, South Carolina, the Carolina Wren is made with apricot vodka, lemon, honey, apricot liqueur, egg white, and bitters. “It’s not overly sweet but has body and richness from the egg white,” explained bar director Jim McCourt.