Break out the Sparklers — These Fourth of July Cocktail Recipes Are a Must-Try!
Updated June 30 2022, 5:23 p.m. ET
Get ready to break out all things red, white, and blue to celebrate this Fourth of July.
Whether you're hosting (or attending) a backyard BBQ, heading to the beach for some sunshine, or driving to a local park to watch some beautiful fireworks, it's time to ramp up your cocktail game. Distractify has rounded up a list of 21 cocktails you can make this Independence Day.
1. Sparkler Spritz
This festive drink is super easy to make and will surely impress your guests. To make, combine 1.5 oz. Grey Goose Le Citron Vodka and 1/2 oz. Bacardi Pineapple. Then, just top with soda water and add fresh raspberries and blueberries. Yum!
2. D’USSÉ Berry Sangria
Who doesn't love a good sangria? If you're looking for a cocktail that will serve more than one person, this sangria recipe is perfect for you. To make, combine 12 oz. D'USSÉ VSOP Cognac, 750 ml Sauvignon Blanc, 12 oz. pomegranate juice, 10 oz. simple syrup, 12 oz. blackberry purée, 1/2 cup raspberries, 1/2 cup blackberries, 1/2 cup blueberries, and 1/2 cup sliced strawberries into a pitcher. Then, add ice and stir until the ingredients are well mixed. Finally, pour the sangria into ice-filled glasses and top with club soda.
3. Coconut Cooler Mocktail
If you (or some of your underage guests) are looking for a non-alcoholic summertime beverage that will make you feel like you are lying on a beach in Maui, the Coconut Cooler mocktail is a great choice. To make, shake 2 oz. coconut milk, 2 oz. lime juice, and pour over ice cubes in a glass. Then, simply top with coconut LaCroix sparkling water and stir. Garnish with fresh mint. Delicious!
4. Raspberry and Lemon Rosé Sparkler
This refreshing summer cocktail from Country Living is also easy to make! All you need to do is muddle 1 and 1/2 pint of raspberries with 2 tbsp. of sugar and 2 tbsp. of fresh lemon juice in a pitcher. Then, top this mixture with one bottle of sparkling rosé, any brand! Serve over ice with some freshly sliced lemons and raspberries for garnish and you have a pretty (and delicious!) summer drink.
5. Heavenly Hibiscus
Created by Estuary at ONE 15 Brooklyn Marina
To make, combine 2 oz. vodka, 1/2 oz. orange liqueur (triple sec), 3/4 oz. hibiscus syrup, and 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice into a cocktail shaker and shake. Then, strain into a coupe glass and garnish with lime and hibiscus flower.
6. Cacao Fruit Strawberry Bramble
Love strawberries? Check out the Cacao Fruit Strawberry Bramble cocktail which is made by simply muddling 2 medium strawberries in a shaker. Then, add 3/4 oz 100% Cacao Fruit, 3/4 fresh lemon juice, 1 oz. simple syrup, 1.5 oz Tito's vodka, and 1 cup ice. Next, shake and strain into a cocktail coupe glass. Enjoy!
7. Milagro Margarita Asada
Created by Jaime Salas, Milagro Brand Ambassador
This smokey cocktail will certainly have your tastebuds bursting with flavor! To make, muddle two chunks of grilled pineapple and chipotle powder in a Boston shaker. Then add 2 oz. Milagro Silver, 1 oz. fresh lime juice, 1 bar spoon agave nectar, and ice. Shake and double strain over fresh ice into a glass that is rimmed with kosher salt and chipotle powder.
8. Cosmo ICEtail
Created by Trevor Schneider, National Reyka Brand Ambassador
Looking to beat the summer heat? Enjoy a nice cold alcoholic icetail! To make, combine 1 oz. Reyka vodka, 2 oz. cranberry juice, 1 oz. fresh lime juice, 1.75 oz. simple syrup, and 1.75 oz. water into a freezer-friendly vessel and freeze. Enjoy!
9. Campfire Cookout Cooler
To create this cocktail, combine 1.5 oz. Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon, 1.25 oz. fresh-pressed watermelon juice, 1/2 oz. fresh ginger syrup, 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice, 3 dashes rhubarb bitters, 2 dashes angostura bitters, and ice into a glass. Top the drink with soda water and garnish with a dehydrated lime wheel and blue cornflowers.
10. SVEDKA Rad, White, and Blue Punch
If you're looking for a Fourth of July cocktail that is meant for a party, this Svedka drink is for you. Simply combine 1 3/4 parts Svedka Spirit Edition 80P, 1/2 part triple sec, 3/4 part lemonade, 1 part cranberry juice, 1 part fresh lime juice, and add 5 to 6 cups of ice into a punch bowl. Stir the mixture and garnish with blueberries and sliced strawberries. This cocktail yields 25–30 servings.
11. 1800 Tequila The Ultimate Margarita Black Cherry
Want to impress your friends but don't feel like crafting your own cocktail at your party? Simply pour 1800 Tequila The Ultimate Margarita Black Cherry into a glass and enjoy. It's the perfect ready-to-drink option!
12. A Classic Shirley Temple
For those interested in mocktails that are equally on-theme and delicious, the classic Shirley Temple should be on your list. This traditional recipe uses 1 oz of grenadine over ice, followed by 4 oz of your favorite ginger ale OR lemon-lime soda (Sprite, 7Up). Then, add a maraschino cherry or two for garnish, and you have your mocktail!
13. USUAL Yuzu Spritz
Let's face it, not everyone wants to sip on a crafted cocktail. If you're more of a wine drinker, Usual Wines recently released Usual Yuzu Spritz which is made with Brut and a splash of Yuzu "sourced directly from a family-owned producer in Miyazaki Prefecture in Japan."
Aside from its taste, this spritz is low-calorie and is made with clean ingredients. You're welcome!
14. Summer Watermelon Sparkle
This drink will certainly add a bit of sparkle to your tastebuds. To make, simply add 1 oz CIROC Summer Watermelon and 1/2 oz cranberry juice into a flute glass. Top it with 1 oz champagne and garnish with a watermelon skin twist.
15. Baileys Blackberry Cream Fizz
Who doesn't love a good dessert drink? To make this fizzy cocktail, add 3 oz Baileys Deliciously Light and 1 oz blackberry puree to a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a glass and top with 1/2 oz seltzer. Simply garnish with blackberries and serve. Yum!
16. Glenmorangie x BBQ
Perfect for any BBQ or summer party, this drink will certainly quench your thirst. To make, add 2 oz X by Glenmorangie and 2 oz ginger beer to a highball glass with crushed ice. Then, stir and squeeze 3 lime wedges over the drink. Enjoy!
17. Lemon & Basil 75
This drink is so refreshing, we're sure your guests will be asking for more. To make, add 1 oz Belvedere Lemon & Basil, 1/2 oz honey water, 1/4 oz fresh lemon juice, 1/2 oz pressed apple juice, and cubed ice into a cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into a chilled coupe glass and top with 1.5 oz champagne. Garnish with a lemon wheel and basil leaf.
18. La Valoma
Yum! Combine 2 oz Volcan Blanco, 3/4 oz fresh lime, 1.5 oz grapefruit juice, a pinch of salt, and 3/4 oz agave syrup in a shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain over ice in a highball glass. Top with soda water and garnish with a grapefruit wedge.
19. Glenmorangie X Blackcurrant
Elevate your tastebuds with this cocktail! Fill a highball glass with crushed ice, add 2 oz of X by Glenmorangie, 1 oz lemon juice, and 1/3 oz agave syrup. Stir. Then top with a 1/2 oz blackcurrant cordial. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a blackberry.
20. Sunset Rosé Cocktail
For rosé lovers! Place three blackberries into a shaker and muddle. Then, add 1.5 oz Belvedere Vodka, 1/2 oz lime juice, and 1/4 oz honey into a shaker. Shake with ice and strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Top with 3 oz Whispering Angel Rosé and garnish with a mint sprig.
21. Ciao Malfy Spritz
Whisk drink yourself away to Italy's Amalfi Coast with this gin-based cocktail inspired by the Italian beachfront region.
To make, add 1 oz Malfy Gin Con Limone, 1.5 oz San Pellegrino Aranciata, and 1.5 oz Prosecco in a glass over cubed ice and gently stir to combine. Garnish with blueberries, a lemon wheel, and a sprig of basil.