Stars and Stripes Forever

This month we celebrate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, and a hats off to all the individuals who’ve served our country in many ways.

This year the 4th falls on a Tuesday, so let’s start the extra time off with a cocktail called Three Day Weekend. Fill a double old fashioned glass with cracked ice and pour in the following: ¾ oz Jagermeister, ¾ oz malibu rum, ¾ oz cherry juice, and ¾ oz pineapple juice. Stir & garnish as you like.

For those who enjoy a bit of a cream drink, try the 4th of July by packin a highball with cubed or cracked ice and build the drink start- ing with 1oz bourbon, 1oz Kahlua, partial fill with orange juice, dash the top with cream, and add a final top lace of Galliano. Stir and enjoy.

In the city of angels, we can bump up the celebration a notch by having a Startini – chill a martini glass and shake and strain in the following: 1 ½ oz premium vodka, ¼ oz Cointreau, ¼ oz Chambord, and 1oz of lemonade. Add a slice of starfruit.

If you wish to have a little sparkle with your sipper, the Independence Day Punch may be right up your alley. Fill a tall glass with cubed or cracked ice and build with 1oz bourbon, 3oz pineapple juice, 1oz fresh squeezed lime juice, top with club soda, and garnish with a slice of pineapple.

Those in uniform have to serve not only in this country, but are also stationed in many of the close to seven hundred military installations the U.S has around the world. The planet is thirsty for a Ceasefire and it starts like this: Pack a highball with cracked ice and add ½ oz scotch, ½ oz cherry brandy, ½ oz dry vermouth, and fill with cold lemonade.Garnish with a slice of lemon and a cherry.

Sometimes, friends in high places and diplomatic gatherings is what it takes for things to be resolved in a good way for everyone. To those who do their best, the Allies Cocktail is for you. Shake and strain 1oz gin, 1oz dry vermouth, and a ½ teaspoon of Kummel into a chilled cocktail glass.

As the red, white, and blue keeps shining through, our liquid kitchens known as bars create many flag layer sipping cordials that can be consumed as an after-dinner dessert. If you don’t want to eat anymore, try a Stars and Stripes. In a pousse or cordial glass, layer in order the following: ¾ oz grenadine, ¾ oz heavy cream or Dekuyper Peachtree schnapps, and ¾ oz blue curacao.

On the last day off before we have to go back to work, enjoy the dog day afternoon with a drink called Early Summer. It happens like this – shake together ¾ gin, ¾ oz apricot brandy , ¾ oz Calvados, ¾ oz orange juice, and strain in a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a slice of apple.

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