Fourth of July
21 Highly Refreshing Drinks for Fourth of July Weekend
From citrusy sodas to summer-ready cocktails.
No matter how you spend this Fourth of July, there are likely three things you'll need: sunscreen (a must if you plan to spend the day outdoors), plenty of snacks (we've got you covered here), and something to sip on.
It's always a good idea to have plenty of water nearby, but you may want to mix things up a bit with a fun beverage or two. Think: super-refreshing drinks you can pour over ice and slurp through the afternoon and into the evening fireworks.
Here are 21 drinks recipes to choose from this 4th of July weekend—from citrusy sodas the whole family can enjoy to summery cocktails just for the adults (we see you, strawberry margarita).
1. Frozen Vodka Lemonade with Berries
This slushy strawberry lemonade gets a little kick from a splash or two of vodka, but feel free to mix up the berries and the alcohol (it's pretty much impossible to mess up).
2. Papelón con Limón-Menta
This ultra-cooling Venezuelan drink combines a sweet syrup made from unrefined brown sugar, fresh-squeezed lime juice, and water, plus minced mint for an extra dash of freshness.
3. Suze Tonic
In this easy twist on the classic gin and tonic, Suze (a French apéritif) steps in to lend "an earthy, oral bitterness to the drink while also lowering the alcohol content."
4. Vanilla-Thyme Lemonade
Another variation on lemonade—this time with a honeyed vanilla-thyme syrup—we'd be more than happy to sip on a sweltering-hot day.
5. Sweet Tea Rum Punch
"A lot has changed with the ingredients and implementation of Rum Punch the world over," writes cookbook author and food writer Brigid Washington, "and this sweet tea version is a testament to the sublime adaptability of a simple cocktail recipe."
6. Smoked Mandarin & Ginger Paloma by Chef Claudette Zepeda
Smoked mandarin orange juice (if you don't have a smoker, fresh-squeezed will work just fine) and a zingy ginger syrup team up in this paloma riff from Chef Claudette Zepeda.
7. Watermelonade
The addition of watermelon juice (simply puree fresh watermelon, then strain) instantly brightens up a pitcher of regular old lemonade.
8. DIY Orange Soda
Making fresh orange soda is easier than you think—the only hard part is making the syrup (which only takes about 20 minutes). Once you've got the syrup ready, all you need to do is mix it with a bit of seltzer.
9. Limoncello e Pepe
Adding crushed black peppercorns help balance out the sweetness in this take on the classic Italian lemon liqueur. Pour it over ice, sip it straight up, it's totally up to you.
10. Aam Ki Shikanji (a.k.a. Panha) or Raw Mango Drink
This raw mango beverage is "a quintessential summer drink in India," says food writer Annada Rathi. Sweet and tangy, the concentrate will last for a few weeks and needs only be stirred into cold water.
11. Minty Orange Gimlet
A sunny orange syrup, fresh mint, vodka, and seltzer combine for a bubbly cocktail that tastes even better as you reach the bottom of the glass.
12. Aperol Spritz
It's a summer staple for a reason—not too sweet, not too bitter, and always refreshing.
13. Strawberry Margarita on the Rocks
Why have a standard margarita when you could have one with a silky-sweet fresh strawberry syrup instead?
14. Orange Ginger Mint Sodas
This puckery mint soda is totally non-alcoholic, but it would certainly welcome a touch of spiced rum or bourbon, you know, if you want.
15. Switchel
This revitalizing elixir is a combo of apple cider vinegar, ginger, and maple syrup (for sweetness), and it has a lot of fans in the comments section and beyond.
16. Cucumber-Fennel Fizz
In this "perfect summer cooler," cucumber and fennel steal the show, with help from a few supporting characters (like lime juice, apple cider vinegar, and frozen blueberries).
17. Mezcal Michelada
If you like your cocktails on the spicy side, mix up this savory michelada with a smoky mezcal twist.
18. Mojito
Once you've got the classic mojito recipe down, add your own twist by mixing in different fruits, herbs, and citrus (blackberry and ginger ale mojitos, anyone?).
19. Gin Rickey (Is It a Sin to Drink Gin Before Noon?)
Writer and community member Giulia Melucci asks, "Is it a sin to drink gin before noon?" In the case of this limey-fresh cocktail, most certainly not.
20. Celery Soda
"This is a grown-up soda that would be perfectly refreshing on a sultry summer day," writes community member hardlikearmour, and we whole-heartedly agree.
21. Berries with Rosé
While not technically a drink, we couldn't help but add these berries with rosé wine (topped off with a dollop of whipped cream) into the mix.
See what other Food52 readers are saying.