Nothing says “I love the U.S. of A” like an amazing Fourth of July shindig. And no party is complete without an array of tantalizing cocktails. Now while your cranberry and vodka and gin and tonic’s are cool and all they’re just not going to cut it for the Fourth of July. For this patriotic holiday you’re going to need something with a little more pizzazz, something with a little spark to it, a sort of Lushworthy firecracker. And I’ve got just the cocktail for ya. In fact, I’ve got a quite few. I normally post three drink recipes tops when it comes to blog posts, but I figured I’d go all out for the Fourth. So take your pick and have a safe and enjoyable holiday!
Wild Turkey American Honey Wild Mustang (Pictured Above)
INGREDIENTS
3 oz. Wild Turkey American Honey
6 oz. Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
2 Dashes Orange Bitters
1 Sprig Rosemary
DIRECTIONS
Combine American Honey, grapefruit juice and bitters in a tumbler with ice and stir. Strain into a Collins glass filled with ice. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary.
Cruzan Beach Umbrella
INGREDIENTS
1 Part Cruzan® Orange Rum 1 1/2 Parts Cruzan® Aged Light Rum Cruzan® Blackstrap Rum Float
DIRECTIONS
Combine all ingredients over ice in a tumbler and shake for 20 seconds. Pour into a rocks glass. Float Cruzan Blackstrap on top. Garnish with a dash of cinnamon.
Basil Hayden’s Summer Glow
INGREDIENTS
1 1/4 Part Basil Hayden’s® Bourbon Add Basil Hayden’s Bourbon to a highball glass and fill with ice. Add remaining ingredients and stir well. Garnish with a lemon wedge. 
Camarena Americana 2 oz Camarena Reposado Tequila
1/2 Cup Strawberry Simple Syrup*
2 oz Fresh Lime Juice
Splash Of Orange Liqueur
2 Tablespoons Of Fresh Basil, Chopped Roughly
6 Sliced Strawberries
DIRECTIONS
Place the basil in the bottom of a cocktail shaker, pour in the tequila. Use the back of a spoon (or muddler) to mash the basil leaves into the tequila. Fill the shaker with ice and add strawberry simple syrup, lime juice, Cointreau. Fill with ice, shake and strain into a high ball glass over ice. Garnish with sliced strawberries on the rim and ribbons of basil mixed in the drink.
*Strawberry Simple Syrup Recipe:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
4-5 strawberries, sliced
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then let simmer for 10-15 minutes. Cool the syrup, then strain the liquid through a sieve, pressing the strawberries to extract all liquid.
Patriotic Cooler
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 oz. Van Gogh Cool Peach Vodka
1 oz. Pomegranate Juice
2 oz. Ginger Ale Or Ginger Beer
DIRECTIONS
Build all ingredients over ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Feeling Blue
INGREDIENTS
1-1/2 oz Van Gogh Blue Vodka
1/2 oz Orange Liqueur
1/2 oz Blue Curacao
1 oz Orange Juice
2 Splashes Of Sour Mix
DIRECTIONS
Build all ingredients in a rocks glass with ice. Garnish with a wedge of orange.
Independence On Ice
INGREDIENTS
1/2 oz. Baileys Original Irish Cream
1/2 oz. Orange Liqueur
1/2 oz. Meyers Dark Rum
1 oz. Of Chilled Espresso
1/2 Inch Piece of Ginger
DIRECTIONS
Muddle ginger in a cocktail shaker with the Orange Liqueur. Add Baileys Original Irish Cream, Meyers Dark Rum, and Chilled Espresso. Add ice, shake vigorously and strain into a pint glass. Fill with ice and garnish with a slice of Ginger on the side of the glass.
CAMUSRita
INGREDIENTS
1.5 oz. CAMUS VS Elegance Cognac
.5 oz. Cointreau
.5 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
.5 oz. Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur
1 Lime, As Garnish
DIRECTIONS
Shake over ice and strain into a sugar-rimmed, chilled glass.