This year, the Fourth of July falls on a Monday, giving all of us a long weekend to celebrate, see family and watch some spectacular firework displays. The holiday is best enjoyed with friends and good food, but, as everyone knows, an essential part of Fourth of July fun is imaginative cocktails.

Whether you’re headed to a barbecue or hosting your own get-together, we have some recipes for sweet and tangy drinks that are sure to be absolute crowd-pleasers. Pair with hot dogs, barbecued meats, corn on the cob and any type of dessert. With these cocktails in tow, all you need for a good time is great friends and some sunny weather.*

 

A popular drink in Portugal and Spain, Sangria is a slightly sweet drink with citrus undertones. This recipe from St. Elder is a crisp twist on a classic summer drink.

1 bottle white wine

1 cup St. Elder

There are no two things quite as American as baseball and apple pie. And even though that’s a cliché, this Angry Orchard cocktail feels like a new take on our country’s favorite dessert.

4 ounces Angry Orchard Cinnful Apple

1 ounce bourbon

3 brandied cherries

Pour Angry Orchard Cinnful Apple and bourbon over ice in a small mixing glass; stir and strain over ice into rocks glass. Garnish with cherries. If you can’t use brandied cherries, soak fresh ones in sweet vermouth overnight. Really want to get that apple pie taste? Rim the glass with honey and crushed graham crackers before adding the ingredients.

Iced tea makes up more than 85 percent of America’s tea consumption, and it has become a staple of Southern life. No throwing in the harbor necessary to enjoy this tea.

½ ounce Korbel California Brandy

½ ounce Gordon’s Gin

½ ounce Smirnoff Vodka

½ ounce Bacardi Rum

2 ounces Sour Mix

Splash Cola

Combine all ingredients except cola in a mixing glass with ice. Shake and pour into tall glass with ice. Top with cola. Garnish with lime.

Watermelon is another one of summer’s best foods, and it only seems appropriate to honor the melon with a delicious cocktail. But be sure to save some for everyone else.

2½ parts New Amsterdam® Gin

1 teaspoon tsp. sugar

1 part pineapple juice

2 slices fresh watermelon (or 2 parts watermelon juice)

A splash of lemon juice

Muddle the watermelon slices and combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Add plenty of ice. Shake vigorously for eight seconds. Pour contents into a glass and garnish with a watermelon slice.