Get it- LIT? Bahahah. The 4th of July makes me think of New Year’s Eve in a way. There is always a ton of hype around it, and everyone wants to know your plans and what you’re wearing to the party. Like with New Years Eve, recently for me plans have gotten overhyped and fallen short of expectations. Don't get me wrong- I love dressing in red, white, and blue, and celebrating as I'm proud to be American, but my last three Fourth of July's have been a hot mess, lol.
Last year, I chipped my tooth (and had to have a crown to fix it!) on a stale chip at the Mission 4th of July party where my girls & our SO’s and I were the oldest people there. Drunk 21 year old's took over the party and as the afternoon went on, their inner zombies came out. I’m not even joking that we saw a girl wrapped around a railing to keep her upright, and my poor husband David went around picking up the American flags they were handing out as party flair from the ground as they were being dropped, stepped, and spilled on by the 21 year old drunk zombies.
The year before that, we went to ATown where things started out fun and progressively went downhill as stupid alcohol infused fights broke out all among our group; and the year before that, we went to a rooftop bar in Adams Morgan to watch the fireworks, just to realize the rooftop had a canopy, making it nearly impossible to actually watch the fireworks.
That is 3 strikes on going to the bars for the 4th, so this year I’ve decided to stay as far away from the bars as possible. Instead, I’m bringing the bar to my apartment and my rooftop pool to spend the day totally in the comfort of my own home- which is something I never thought I’d say, lol. This is the first 4th in my new apartment, and since we have views of DC, I’m anticipating that we’ll be able to see the fireworks- from the comfort of air conditioning and a non-crowded bathroom, lol.
Since I’m brushing up on my bartending skills to prep for the holiday, I’ve been looking up some fun and easy July 4 inspired cocktails to make! In searching for cocktails, I had the idea to share some easy recipes I found (no blenders or long prep time needed!!!) in case anyone else is lounging at home, too!
Cherry Bomb Mimosas
(Image & Recipe from Delish)
Ingredients:
1 c. pineapple juice
1/4 c. maraschino cherry juice (from the jar of cherries)
1 bottle champagne
Orange slices, for garnish
Directions:
-In champagne flutes, combine pineapple juice and maraschino cherry juice.
-Top off with champagne and garnish with an orange slice.
Red, White, and Blue Wine Spritzer
(Image & Recipe from Pretty Plain Janes)
Ingredients:
1 cup simple syrup (1 part sugar plus 1 part water, boiled until dissolved and cooled)
½ cup fresh strawberries (sliced in half)
½ cup fresh blueberries
1 bottle dry white wine
club soda or tonic water
ice
few sprigs of fresh mint for garnish
Directions:
-Fill Pitcher with ice and top with berries (save some to place in glasses).
-Pour in simple syrup and then wine until pitcher is ¾ full.
-Top off with club soda or tonic water, stir and serve in ice filled glasses. Garnish with mint sprig.
American Gin & Tonic
(Image & Recipe from 2eat2drink)
Ingredients:
Gin (this recipe recommends Bluecoat)
Tonic
Ice
Blueberries & Raspberries
Directions:
Pour 2 oz. Bluecoat American Dry Gin over ice, add blueberries and raspberries, top off with tonic water
And for some added fun, top drinks with a festive straw! I found these at Target last night!
Have a very Happy Fourth of July!!!!!!!!!
XOXO
Blonde in the District