Last Minute Festive 4th of July Cocktails for Parties

Independence Day has always been my favorite holiday ever since I was a little girl! I've had somewhat of an obsession with history and the Revolutionary War era since probably 3rd grade. Every year, I love to celebrate the fourth in the most festive way possible. One of the most fun ways is to turn an average drink into a patriotic cocktail.

Here are my two favorites that I'll be making with my friends this 4th of July... they're perfect for a chill night in the backyard watching fireworks, or for a big party!

As the wise Lana Del Rey once said, "Be young, be dope, be proud... like an American."

Firecracker Martini

Ingredients:

3 parts elit Vodka

Garnish of raspberry, blueberry and pearl onion

Directions:

Pour elit into a mixing glass and stir with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a raspberry, blueberry and pearl onion.

 

Independence Day

Ingredients:

1 Liter Casamigos Blanco

17 oz. Fresh Lime Juice

17 Strawberries (not including strawberries for garnish)

17 Whole Blackberries (not including blackberries for garnish)

10 oz. Sugarcane Syrup (Simple Syrup)

Directions:

Peel and slice kiwis into cubes, blend strawberries and kiwis until liquefied. Strain into punch bowl. Add other ingredients and stir in 3-4 medium scoops of block ice and cool. Garnish with blackberries and thin strawberry slices. Stir before each serving.

Kick off Memorial Day Weekend with a Sorbet & Prosecco Cocktail

What better way to kick off the summer than with the ultimate combination: sorbet and prosecco? Sure, we've all had a prosecco and popsicle cocktail, but that is soooo two years ago. Shaking things up with sorbet is giving me all the summer feels! It's the perfect way to combine a little bit of bubbly, some sweetness, and summertime cool all in one! 

A prosecco and sorbet cocktail is super easy to make (great for fun outdoor parties!) thanks to elit Vodka. I don't know about you, but I'm picturing Memorial Day Weekend lounging by the pool with a Sgroppino in hand!

Sgroppino

Ingredients:

1 ½ parts elit Vodka

1 scoop of Lemon Sorbet or another different flavor

3 parts Prosecco

Directions:

Method: Blend all ingredients in a blender with a bit of crushed ice. Pour into a coupette and garnish with fresh lemon zest.

Drink The Millennial Pink | Campari-Infused Tapioca Boba Cocktail

It's no secret that the trendiest color right now has been that classic blush pink we all know and love. Dubbed "Millennial Pink," us millennials and Gen-Y kids simply cannot get enough of the pale pink hue. Just when I thought millennial pink could not be more perfect in any way, I was mistaken in the best way possible, all thanks to Campari.

The Bittersweet Boba cocktail is what's creating buzz in the liqueur and spirits world as it's been created by star bartender, Pam Wiznitzer. It's the adult version of our favorite childhood drink! She actually came up with Campari-infused boba. Will we even ever be able to go back to traditional boba?

We may never know... until then, I'll keep drinking the millennial pink.

Bittersweet Boba

Created by Pamela Wiznitzer, Seamstress

Ingredients:

.5 oz Campari

2.5 oz Strong Brewed Black Tea

1 oz Milk

1 oz Vanilla Syrup 

.5 oz Grand Marnier 

 Campari-infused Tapioca Boba*

Edible Red Glitter for glass rim (Try Disco Dust from NY Cake)

Directions: 

Rim glass with edible red glitter and fill with Campari-infused boba. Shake all ingredients and strain over the boba.

*Campari-infused Tapioca Boba

Purchase plain boba (available online or at specialty grocery stores) and boil for about 30 minutes. Drain boba from pot and let steep in a mixture of 1 cup Campari and 1/3 cup sugar.

My Favorite Cinco de Mayo Margarita Recipes

Aye aye aye! Cinco De Mayo is here and I could not be more excited! I am such a tequila-loving girl, and my favorite part of the holiday is that there are so many variations on tequila cocktails and margaritas you could make! My ultimate favorites are the ones that are colorful, refreshing, boast bold flavors and get you in that party mood... From a Prickly Pear Margarita, to a Matcha Margarita, to a very gilded style Royal Gold Margarita, here are a few perfectly tantalizing margs that will get you and your friends in the Cinco De Drinko spirit!

Casamigos Prickly Pear Margarita

Ingredients:

1.5 oz. Casamigos Blanco Tequila

1 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice

.5 oz. Prickly Pear Puree

.5 oz. Sugarcane syrup (simple)

2 Dashes Orange Bitters

Directions:

Combine all ingredients into iced mixing glass and shake vigorously for 8-10 seconds. Strain into rocks glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

Cointreau Matcha Margarita

Ingredients:

*1 oz. Cointreau

*2 oz. blanco tequila

*¾ oz. fresh lime juice

*½ bar spoon (1 tsp) matchagreen tea powder

Directions:

Shake Cointreau, tequila, fresh lime juice and matcha in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Strain over ice in a rocks glass and garnish with a lime wheel.

Allaire Privée Royal Gold Margarita

By Award-Winning Miami Mixologist, Josue Gonzalez from DÔA Miami Beach

Ingredients:

3 oz. Allaire Collection Privee Tequila
1 ½ oz. Fresh squeezed premium lime juice
1 oz. Grand Marnier Cuvee du Centenaire - 100 Year Anniversary

Directions:

Shaken over purified spring ice

Strained into a 24k Gold plated Shaker,

Coat half the glass rim with hand-harvested Sal de Ibiza Fleur de Sel
Pour into Waterford Crystal Margarita Glass
Garnish 24K Thai Elephant Gold Leaf coated lime slice
Served on silver plated platter with gold plated mixing spoon and gold plated straws
Allaire Royal Gold Margarita is available at DÔA in South Beach for $750 for one, $1000 for pair and $2500 as table side service leaving plenty of margarita to share!

Little Bunny Foo Foo | An Easter Brunch Cocktail

One of my favorite things about Easter? The traditional brunching of course! I'm usually a mimosa fan, but you know I love to shake things up a bit on holidays... especially one as fun as Easter!

Whether you're hosting your own Easter brunch or a springtime bash with friends, I've got a new cocktail that's even better than waking up to an Easter basket filled with marshmallow peeps... at least I think so! It's called Little Bunny Foo Foo!

Little Bunny Foo Foo was developed by You & Yours Distilling Co.'s bar manager, Trevor Bowles, is made from the distillery's Sunday Gin, carrot juice, a bit of ginger syrup, a splash of lemon juice, and a pinch of turmeric. 

So... basically it's the healthiest, prettiest, most instagrammable Easter cocktail you ever will see!

Here's how to make it: 

Little Bunny Foo Foo

Created by Trevor Bowles, You & Yours Distilling Co.

Ingredients:

1.5oz of You & Yours Sunday Gin

1oz of carrot juice

.25 ginger syrup

.5 fresh squeezed lemon juice 

Pinch of grated turmeric 

Directions:

1. Shake and strain over rocks. 

2. Garnish with the cutest carrot you can find.

Happy Easter!