Considering our seasonal cocktail submissions, surprisingly this year’s crop of Independence Day cocktails wasn’t as heavy leaning on the red, white and blue aesthetic and focused more on items such as berries, mint, and cucumber. While none of the cocktails represented in this overview have brazenly replaced their brand name with “America”, there are many wonderful options here that feel just as refreshing and patriotic as a can of watery commercial beer. Mission accomplished! Freedom is on the move!

Watermelon Freedom Freezer
1½ parts Svedka Cucumber Lime
1 part watermelon juice
¾ part fresh lemon juice
¾ part simple syrup

Combine all ingredients in a blender, adding ½ cup of ice last. Blend until smooth and pour into a hurricane glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel and slice of watermelon.

Red Rum Punch
1½ parts Bacardi Raspberry
1½ parts Bacardi Limon
1½ parts Bacardi Superior
1 part grenadine
4 parts sweet & sour
1 part cranberry juice
mint & lemon (for garnish)

Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass and fill with ice. Cap with a tin and shake. Strain into a serving glass filled with ice. Garnish with a mint sprig and lemon wedge.

Honeydew Agua Fresca Margarita
12 cups honeydew, seeded and cubed (about 4 lbs, depending on water content)
½ cup water
¼ cup lime juice (to taste)
8 tbsp agave simple syrup (50:50 water and agave nectar)
8 oz Soltado Spicy Añejo Tequila
jalapenos and lime slices (for garnish)

Add the melon, lime juice, simple syrup, and water to a blender, and puree gently. Press through a mesh strainer into a pitcher, cover and refrigerate at least two hours, or overnight. To each glass, add ice, pour in the melon punch. Add tequila and soda, stir. Garnish as desired. Serves 8-10.

Cucumber Hither
1½ parts Svedka Cucumber Lime
¾ part fresh lime juice
¾ part simple syrup
pinch of mint

Pour all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice. Add mint. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a cucumber wheel.

Strawberry Muddler
3 parts Hornitos Plata Tequila
handful of fresh strawberries
juice from 1 lime
2 teaspoons superfine sugar
fresh pepper

Put strawberries in a small pitcher and mash to your desired consistency. Add juice, club soda, Hornitos Plata and combine along with 4 good grinds from the pepper mill. Fill 2 glasses halfway with ice and divide drink among glasses.

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