With July 4th right around the corner, I thought it’d be the perfect time to share some of my favorite cocktail recipes with our readers. While most people will just stock up on beer for their backyard BBQ, I’m a firm believer in mixing things up (literally) and giving my guests something they’ll truly enjoy.

And with that, here are some Fourth of July cocktail recipes that are sure to please!

Sauza-Rita



Ingredients:

1 can Sauza Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila

1 can Frozen Limeade

1 can Water

1 bottle Light Beer

Preparation:

Pour limeade and beer into a pitcher with ice. Fill limeade can with Sauza Blue Silver and pour into pitcher. Finally, add a can of water, stir and enjoy. (Serves 9)



Red Stripes



Ingredients:

1 oz. Wild Turkey 101

3/4 oz. Wild Turkey 81

3/4 oz. Cointreau

1/2 oz. Carpano Antica

1/2 oz. Cranberry juice

1 Dash of orange bitters

Orange twist

Preparation:

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and pour over fresh ice. Garnish with an orange twist.



Wild Mustang



Ingredients:

3 oz. Wild Turkey American Honey

6 oz. fresh squeezed lemon juice

2 dashes orange bitters

1 sprig rosemary

Preparation:

Combine American Honey, lemon juice and bitters in a tumbler with ice and stir. Strain into a Collins glass filled with ice. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary.



Pink Firework Lemonade



Ingredients:

1½ parts EFFEN Black Cherry Vodka

1 part Pink Lemonade

1 part Honey Syrup (1 part Honey / 1 part Water)

1 Lime Wedge

1 Lemon Wedge

1 Orange Wedge

Preparation:

Squeeze and drop lime, lemon and orange wedges into tall glass over ice. Add remaining ingredients and stir well.



Patriot Punch



Ingredients:

2 parts Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey

1 part DeKuyper Apricot Brandy

1 part Cranberry Juice

2 parts Champagne

Lemon Wheel (thinly sliced)

To Serve As A Cocktail:

Build all ingredients over ice in a stemless red wine glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

To Serve As A Punch:

Double the recipe and multiply by the number of guests you plan to serve. Add Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey, DeKuyper Apricot Brandy and cranberry juice to a punch bowl, stir and refrigerate. When guests arrive, add champagne and lemon wheels. Serve over ice in stemless red wine glasses.



Have a great Fourth of July, and always remember to drink responsibly.