Every year on Independence Day, we come together to honor the birth of our nation and bask in the glory of freedom. What better way to toast to this occasion than with vibrant, flavorful, and visually stunning red white and blue cocktails? Today, we’ll show you a collection of refreshing and patriotic cocktails to sip on while you learn a bit more about this holiday. So, raise your glasses and savor the spirit of America with these dazzling Fourth of July cocktails!

What Is Independence Day?

Independence Day commemorates the historic day in 1776 when the thirteen American colonies officially declared their independence from British rule, marking the birth of the United States of America. This momentous event, famously immortalized in the Declaration of Independence, signified the country’s quest for freedom, liberty, and self-governance.

We celebrate Independence Day to reflect upon and remember the struggles and sacrifices of the nation’s founding fathers. On this day, we also celebrate the principles upon which the United States was built, including democracy, individual rights, and the pursuit of happiness.

When Is Independence Day?

Independence Day, also commonly called the Fourth of July, is, unsurprisingly, on July 4th every year! The fact that it’s on the same day of the month each year means that the day of the week it falls on is different from year to year. Here are the next several days that the Fourth of July will fall on:

• Independence Day 2023: Tuesday, July 4th
• Independence Day 2024: Thursday, July 4th
• Independence Day 2025: Friday, July 4th
• Independence Day 2026: Saturday, July 4th
• Independence Day 2027: Sunday, July 4th

How to Celebrate Independence Day:

Are you looking for new and exciting ways to celebrate the Fourth of July this year? Sure, you could obviously host a backyard barbeque like everyone else and watch the fireworks with friends and family. But if you want to do something out-of-the-box, here are a few ideas for you:

Organize a Picnic in the Park

Pack a picnic basket filled with all-American favorites like sandwiches, fruits, and snacks, and head to a local park or a scenic outdoor spot. Spread out a blanket, set up some lawn games, and invite friends and family to join you for a relaxed and enjoyable day in the great outdoors. 

Enhance the patriotic spirit by bringing along a cooler stocked with red white and blue malt beverages (like Smirnoff) to add a splash of vibrant colors to your picnic!

Visit a Local Historic Site or Museum

This is a holiday about remembering our history, after all! Take a trip to a local historic site or museum dedicated to the American Revolution. Immerse yourself in the rich history of the nation’s struggle for independence, gaining a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices made by the founding fathers.

Organize or Participate in a Neighborhood Parade

Bring your community together by organizing a neighborhood parade. Decorate bikes, wagons, and strollers with red, white, and blue streamers, balloons, and flags. March through the streets with fellow neighbors, displaying your patriotism and spreading joy to everyone you encounter.

Mix Up Delicious Red White and Blue Cocktails

Whatever you choose to do on the Fourth of July, you can enhance your Independence Day celebration by mixing and sipping on delightful red white and blue cocktails. Get creative with ingredients like blueberries, strawberries, coconut milk, and grenadine to craft refreshing and visually stunning beverages that pay homage to the nation’s flag. Toast to the ideals of liberty and independence while indulging in these festive libations.

Red White and Blue Fourth of July Cocktails to Try:

Are you ready to explore some delicious, cool, refreshing red white and blue cocktails that are perfect for a summer day? Here are a few for you to try, whether you’re at a party or just in your backyard:

The “Red White and Blue Drink”

It doesn’t get much more patriotic than this delicious summer beverage. To make this, you’ll need some good layering skills – just go slowly if it’s your first time trying to layer an alcoholic beverage.

1. Add 1 oz grenadine to a glass (like a highball or another similar bar glass), then fill the glass with ice.
2. In a shaker, mix 2 ½ oz lemonade with 1 ½ oz vodka and ice.
3. Slowly and gently pour the lemonade mixture onto an overturned spoon over the grenadine layer.
4. Using the same technique, pour 1 oz blue curacao over the top.
5. Garnish with a cherry or lemon wedge and enjoy!

A “Red” Drink: The Watermelon Margarita

Now, if you’d like to keep the colors separate (we don’t trust our layering skills, either!), you could mix up this delicious margarita to sip on. To make a party-friendly pitcher of this yummy drink, follow these steps:

1. Add 1 c of tequila, ½ c lime juice, ½ c triple sec, 1 drop of honey, and 1 c watermelon juice to a pitcher.
2. Mix the ingredients together with some ice and maybe some cubed watermelon, then serve!
3. Glasses can be garnished with mint or a slice of watermelon!

The “White” Piña Colada

This classic is the perfect “white” cocktail to finish off our lineup of red white and blue cocktails. To make this one, we recommend having fresh pineapple on hand – it will elevate your cocktail tenfold.

1. In a cocktail shaker with ice, shake ½ c pineapple juice, ½ c coconut milk, 2 oz white rum, and the juice from ½ a lime.
2. Transfer into a glass and garnish with a maraschino cherry and wedge of fresh pineapple.

The “Electric Blue” Margarita

If you’d like a delicious, blue drink to serve alongside your red pitcher, these will work perfectly. 

1. Shake 1 oz triple sec, 1 oz tequila, ½ oz peach schnapps, ½ oz blue curacao, and 4 oz sour mix in a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Strain over some fresh ice in a margarita glass. Garnish with something red or a nice little red white and blue umbrella!

How to Make the Best Fourth of July Cocktails

It probably goes without saying that July is pretty much the best time of year to elevate your Fourth of July cocktails with fresh ingredients. But that’s not the only thing you can do to ensure that your Fourth of July cocktails are as good as they can be. Here are a few more tips to help you craft delicious red white and blue cocktails your party guests will talk about all year:

1. Use Quality Spirits: Opt for high-quality spirits to elevate the taste and experience of your cocktails. Keep in mind that you can also use local, craft spirits to add that “something” that will make your drinks stand apart.
2. Get Creative with Garnishes: Elevate the presentation of your cocktails by experimenting with eye-catching garnishes. Think red and blue cocktail skewers adorned with fresh fruit, star-shaped lemon twists, or even edible flower petals. These little touches will make your drinks visually appealing and Instagram-worthy.
3. Play with Colors: Incorporate the patriotic colors of red, white, and blue into your cocktails to add a festive touch. Experiment with natural food dyes, such as beet juice for red, coconut milk for white, and blue curaçao for blue, to create visually striking layers or swirls in your drinks.
4. Experiment with Infusions: Take your cocktail game to the next level by infusing spirits with complementary flavors. Try infusing vodka with berries or citrus peels, or steeping herbs and spices in rum or tequila. These infused spirits will add depth and complexity to your cocktails, impressing your guests with their unique flavors.
5. Offer Mocktail Options: Don’t forget that some guests may prefer non-alcoholic beverages. Offering enticing mocktail options can ensure everyone is included. Create alcohol-free versions of your red white and blue cocktails using sparkling water, fruit juices, and flavored syrups.

With these tips in mind, you’re well-equipped to create the best Fourth of July cocktails that will dazzle your guests and make your celebration truly unforgettable. So, gather your red white and blue ingredients, raise your glass, and toast to a patriotic and delicious Independence Day!

How to Find the Best Ingredients for Your Red White and Blue Fourth of July Cocktails

As you start planning your red white and blue cocktails for Independence Day, we invite you to explore our “by-state” directory. This comprehensive resource allows you to easily find local distilleries near you, offering a treasure trove of premium spirits that will elevate your cocktail game to new heights. 

We hope your Fourth of July celebrations are truly exceptional this year. Cheers to a memorable and spirited Independence Day!