I was standing in line at the grocery store yesterday and overheard a small boy, maybe 6 years old ask his father, "Why do we celebrate the 4th of July"?

For those who are under the age of 6 or have been under a rock, we celebrate July 4th each year because on July 4, 1776 the United States declared its independence from Great Britain by signing the Declaration of Independence.

In America, we typically celebrate our nation's independence with fireworks, parades, barbecues, concerts, and family get-togethers celebrating the history and traditions of the United States. In my family, we join up at the pool, cook a bunch of meat on the grill, enjoy a few beverages, let the kids play and enjoy some good loud country music!


Here are a few simple drink recipes to get you started:

Fruity Fireworks Concoction

  • Champagne or vodka for an adult drink, sparkling water or Sprite for the kids
  • Cranberry juice
  • Blueberries
  • Raspberries

Start by filling ice trays with your raspberries and blueberries. Finish off the trays with regular water, and put in the freezer. To really make this one patriotic, dig around for star-shaped ice cube trays!

Also pour cranberry juice into a separate ice-cube tray and freeze.

When the ice cubes are frozen, pour in your favorite clear beverage, layer in the ice cubes in whatever patriotically colored order you want and enjoy!


Sweet Independence (Courtesy of MixThatDrink.com)

  • 1 ounce Marshmallow Infused Vodka
  • 1 ounce Blue Curacao
  • Maraschino cherry

Pour the marshmallow infused vodka into a chilled martini glass. Drop a maraschino cherry in – it will fall to the bottom and make a pretty red glow. Carefully layer the blue curacao over the vodka to make three beautiful layers – red, white and blue.


WeMadeThat.blogspot.com
WeMadeThat.blogspot.com
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Simple July 4th Drink for the Kids (Courtesy of WeMadeThat.blogspot.com)

  • Fruit Punch (any high sugar fruit punch)
  • SoBe Pina Colada
  • Powerade Zero (blue colored)
Pour your fruit punch in a glass then add SoBe Pina Colada, then finally add the Powerade  Zero. The key is that each layer must have a lower sugar amount than the one below it. Now you have a red, white and blue drink the kids will love!

American Flag Shots

  • 1 Part Grenadine
  • 1 Part Peach Schnapps
  • 1 Part Blue Curacao

Slowly pour each into shot glass in order: grenadine, peach schnapps, and blue curacao. Shoot!


Now we move onto the food! Here's my personal hamburger recipe and no, unlike the drinks, this is not colored red, white or blue.

Monk's Hamburgers

  • 1 pound of ground chuck
  • 1 1/2 Teaspoons Dijon Mustard.
  • Couple splashes of Worcestershire Sauce
  • 2 Egg Yolks
  • 3 Tablespoons Ketchup
  • Chopped red onion (however much you'd like in yours)
  • Cracked pepper, sea salt and garlic powder (to taste)

Mix ingredients together with the meat, form patties and grill! I like put my burger in between a toasted kaiser or pretzel bun but sesame or white buns will work too!


I found this one online and thought the kids may dig this one...

They Are Crafty
They Are Crafty
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Firework Dogs

  • Hot dogs
  • Canned rolls

Flattened out the canned rolls and cut them in 1/2 long ways so you have 2 pieces per roll. Put a hotdog on a skewer, wrap dough strips around them, then bake them on a cookie sheet as the instructions on the can say. Cut a piece of cheese for the top and slip a cupcake liner on the bottom.


Patriotic Popcorn

  • Popcorn
  • Dried cherries, blueberries & strawberries

Pop the popcorn and mix in dried fruit. Easy!


Hopefully these help to bring your July 4th celebration together this and every year! While you're planning, feel free to use my Patriotic Playlist as the soundtrack to your independence day party!

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