The Blue Wave cocktail by El Bandido Yankee

Independence Day is right around the corner, and while it hasn't been an easy few years in the USA, a celebration with friends and family is just what the doctor ordered.

July 4th means great company, good food, fireworks, and of course a fabulous cocktail menu to turn the night into an iconic occasion.

See also: Weekly Recipe: 4th of July Treats By Chef Andrea Correale

These drink recipes will add fun and refinement to this year's backyard barbecue, with cocktails that are both delicious and easy to make!

Long Weekend

If you've been searching for a summer cocktail that is sweet with tangy undertones, this is the drink for you! The blackberry and lavender honey syrup mixed with champagne combine to create a sweet body for the drink, offset by the lemon juice to give it a bitter kick. This recipe comes courtesy of bartender Lynnette Marrero for Zacapa rum.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz Zacapa rum
• 1⁄2 oz lemon juice
• 1⁄2 oz blackberry and lavender honey syrup (1:1, honey:water)
• Champagne (or any dry sparkling wine)
• Blackberry for garnish

Directions:

For the lavender blackberry honey syrup, place 10 blackberries in a pot and muddle. To the pot, add 1 cup of honey, 1 cup of water, and 6 teaspoons of dry lavender. Bring all the ingredients to over-medium heat, then let simmer, stirring occasionally to dissolve sugar until you smell the lavender. Strain and seal in a container. Store in a cool place, it will keep for two months. For the cocktail, add Zacapa rum, lemon juice, and the blackberry and lavender honey syrup to a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake until chilled. Strain over ice into a rocks glass. Top with champagne and garnish with a lemon twist and blackberry.

Backyard Tea

Nothing says summertime like a cold glass of lemonade! Take a boozy spin on this summer classic by adding black tea and spiced rum for a delicious and refreshing cocktail!

Ingredients:

• 2 parts Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum
• 3 parts black tea
• 1 part fresh lemonade

Directions:

Build all ingredients in a rock-filled highball glass. Garnish with a lemon wedge.

Iceland Spritz

This unique concoction is perfect for anybody that doesn’t like things too sweet, and wants to try something a bit out of the ordinary cocktail wheelhouse. The raspberry and rhubarb tonic mixed with vodka makes for a tart yet refreshing beverage to help you combat the summer heat!

Ingredients:

• 2 parts Reyka Vodka
• 6 parts Raspberry & Rhubarb Tonic

Directions:

Build over ice in a large wine glass. Garnish with fresh berries.

Fiesta Americana

Add some flavor and flare to this year’s 4th of July with a special cocktail creatoed by Milagro Tequila ambassador Luis Lopez. Fruity, creamy and sweet, this cocktail is sure to get the party started, especially after adding 2 parts tequila!

Ingredients:

• 5 muddled strawberries at the bottom of the glass
• 2 parts Milagro Silver Tequila
• 2 parts coco cream
• ¾ parts lemon juice
• 1 part pineapple juice
• ¼ part agave nectar

Directions:

Garnish with buzz ball rim (blue), shake, strain over fresh ice, and serve in a tall glass.

The Blue Wave

This drink is as creamy as it is boozy! The coconut cream adds a unique flavor and texture to the drink that is not often found in other cocktails. On top of it all, the Blue Curacao packs a flavorful punch and makes the cocktail aesthetically pleasing—perfect for a summer celebration.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz El Bandido Yankee Blanco Tequila
• ¼ oz real coconut cream (Coco Lopez or otherwise)
• ¼ oz blue curacao
• Top with champagne

Directions:

Build in a shaker with ice, strain and top with Champagne

Papa's Poolside Punch

For a classy cocktail, try this Don Papa recipe that incorporates a wide variety of flavor. Not only is the drink filled with delicious rum, it incorporates lemon, mint and honey all into the same delicious drink.

Ingredients:

• 11⁄2 oz Don Papa 7
• 2.0 oz Dalandan juice
• ¾ oz Lemon juice
• Honey

Directions:

Mix Don Papa Rum, dalandan juice, lemon juice, mint and honey. Mix and garnish with an orange wedge

Aphrodite’s Delight

For something elegant and simple, this cocktail serves as a deliciously tart beverage that will not only help you combat the heat, but will add a level of refinement to your 4th of July dinner.

Ingredients:

• 2¼ oz Kástra Elión
• 1⁄2 oz Mancino Sakura Vermouth
• 1⁄2 oz Lillet blanc
• ¼ oz Salers Gentian
• Pinch Maldon salt

Directions:

Mix and stir ingredients, garnish with viola flower

Chambord Bramble

Sometimes the best things in life are the simplest, and this cocktail proves the statement true using only Chambord, gin and lemon juice to create a thirst-quenching drink that the whole party will love!

Ingredients:

• Ice
• 1⁄2 part Chambord
• 1⁄2 part gin
• 1⁄2 part fresh lemon juice
• Lemon wedge

Directions:

First, take a tumbler glass filled with ice and add lemon juice. Next, add the gin of your choice. Finally, add some luxurious Chambord and garnish with a deliciously zesty lemon wedge!