I like to think beyond beer and wine in the summer, especially if I know I’m going to spend a long holiday weekend in the desert with friends. Here are the 5 cocktails perfect for entertaining on the 4th of July. These cocktails are sure to help you celebrate with a smile on your face. And of course you’ll need to eat! Along with each cocktail recipe is a link to fun summer nosh. Stay safe and have a great summer holiday!

Watermelon Basil Margaritas

photo and recipe from Martha Steward- the lady can make a mean cocktail

Serve with Turkey Nachos.

• 7 1/2 pounds seedless watermelon, rind removed, fruit cut into 1-inch cubes
• 4 teaspoons superfine sugar
• 6 ounces (3/4 cup) silver tequila
• 24 basil leaves, plus sprigs for garnish
• 3 ounces (1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons) triple sec
• 6 cups small ice cubes

1. Place 24 watermelon cubes on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Cover, and freeze at least 1 hour (up to 2 days).
2. Puree remaining watermelon and the sugar in a blender until smooth. Pass through a sieve lined with cheesecloth into a bowl. (You should have 3 cups.)
3. Place tequila and basil in a glass pitcher, and crush with a wooden spoon. Stir in watermelon juice and triple sec.

Apricot Vodka Martini

recipe from Bobby Flay

Serve with Cold Sesame Noodles.

2 ounces mandarin orange-flavored vodka
3 ounces apricot nectar
1 tablespoon simple syrup
Ice
2 to 3 dried apricots, soaked in mandarin orange-flavored vodka for 24 hours

Combine vodka, apricot nectar, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Float the dried apricots in the drink and serve.

The Best Bloody Mary

recipe from Ina Garten

Serve with the Smoked Salmon Frittata. Perfect hangover food.

3 large stalks celery from the heart, including leaves, plus extra for serving
36 ounces tomato juice (recommended: Sacramento)
2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
1 teaspoon grated yellow onion
1 lemon, juiced
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
12 dashes hot sauce (recommended: Tabasco), or to taste
1 1/2 cups vodka

Cut the celery in large dice, including the leaves, and puree in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Process until finely minced. In a large pitcher, combine the rest of the ingredients except the vodka. With the food processor running, pour 1/4 of the tomato juice mixture into the food processor through the feed tube. Then pour the contents of the food processor into the pitcher with the remaining tomato juice mixture. Add the vodka and chill. Serve in tall glasses over ice with a stick of celery.

Lemonade Caipirinhas

recipe and photo from Martha Stewart, serves 4-6

Serve with Coconut Fried Shrimp

• 2 large limes, cut into 16 wedges each
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 cups cachaca (Brazilian brandy)
• 6 cups crushed ice
• 1 cup store-bought lemonade
• Lemon slices, for garnish (optional)
• Lime slices, for garnish (optional)

1. Using a wooden pestle or spoon, crush limes and sugar in a large glass measuring cup until juices are released; pour in cachaca.
2. Transfer cachaca mixture to a large pitcher, and fill with ice. Stir in lemonade. Divide evenly among glasses. Garnish with lemon and lime slices, if desired.

American Pie Cocktail

recipe from Guy Fieri, serves 2

Serve with The Killer Inside Out Burger

2 cups ice
1/2 cup whiskey
1/2 cup apple liqueur
1 cup cranberry juice
Sliced apples, for garnish, optional

Add to shaker, ice, Canadian whiskey, apple liqueur and cranberry juice. Pour into 2 rocks glasses, garnish with a slice of apple, if using, and serve.

Related posts

• Top Five Holiday Cocktails
• Skip the Champagne, Say Hello to Prosecco
• Best Thanksgiving Day Cocktails
• White Peach Sangria
• Food Find Daily- Kiwi Margarita

Tags | 4th of July, alcohol, Cocktails, Entertaining, holiday, Summer, watermelon