Indulge in these red, white and blue cocktails for a festive Fourth. All of the true patriots will be known by their slightly uneven gait and vaguely purple teeth this weekend.
(But seriously: Drink responsibly. And maybe pack mouthwash.)
RED
Try the American Harvest Firecracker this weekend if you’re a vodka fan who’s into organic alcohol.
Credit: Provided
‘American Harvest Firecracker’ (Courtesy of American Harvest)
Ingredients
1.5 oz. American Harvest
¾ oz. Fresh lemon juice
¾ oz. Concord grape syrup (see below)
Soda water
Instructions
Combine equal parts Concord grape juice and sugar in a large container and shake until dissolved. In a shaker, combine all liquid except the soda. Add ice and shake well. Strain into a Collins glass full of fresh ice. Top with soda and gently stir. Garnish with a lemon slice.
WHITE
It’s not summery in name. But “Lost” had a seasonally inappropriate Polar Bear and nothing bad happened there, so.
Credit: Provided
‘Suit and Tie’ (Courtesy of Stone Rose Lounge)
Ingredients
1.5 oz. Absolut Elyx vodka
.75 oz. Plymouth Gin
.75 oz. Dolins Blanc vermouth
.25 oz. Maraschinoliqueur
2 dashes Regans orange bitters
Instructions
Stir the ingredients together with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass, and garnish with a lemon twist.
BLUE
The Aviation is unavoidably purple-y, but unless you’re keen for the unnatural-looking Curacao and Hypnotiq, this is your best option.
Credit: Provided
‘Aviation’ (Courtesy of Kingside)
Ingredients
.75 oz.lemon
.5 oz. Creme De Violette
.5 oz. Maraschinoliqueur
2 oz. Bombay Sapphire Gin
Instructions
Combine all ingredients, shake and serve in a martini coupe. Garnish with threebourbon-soaked cherries on a bamboo pick.
BONUS!
The Purple Haze blends pinks and purples and clears, but if you squint, you’ve got an American-looking drink in your hand. Maybe try the other three first, then come back to this one —then you won’t have to remember to squint.
Credit: Provided
Crafty cocktail makers may go for the trifecta with this drink that, if layered correctly, will offer a red, white and blue hues in one glass. Impressive, but it’s actually not very difficult to make.
‘Purple Haze’ (Courtesy of Whiskey Blue New York)
Ingredients
1.5 oz. Stoli Orange
.5 oz. Creme De Violette
.75 oz. pink grapefruit juice
.5 oz. lemon juice
.25 oz. simple syrup
Champagne
Instructions
Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a highball glass. Let the drink settle so that the grapefruit is heavier on the bottom of the glass, with the Violette dominating the middle. Top with champagne (or prosecco, if you’re so inclined — the clearer, the better). Garnish with an orange peel.
