12 Best Cocktails To Celebrate 4th July

ByViolet ParkerEditorial Policy

The drinks table deserves as much attention as the grill on the 4th of July—and this lineup proves it. From bold, blue-hued margaritas to slushy, fruit-loaded punches, these 12 cocktails bring more than just patriotic colors to the party. They’re cool, refreshing, and built for summer, whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, watching fireworks, or just escaping the heat with something stronger than lemonade this Independence Day. Let’s make them together! 

1. Red, White & Blue Sangria

4th july sangria

Serves: 6–8

This red, white & blue sangria is effortlessly patriotic and perfect if you want to make a big batch cocktail for a crowd. It’s built on crisp white wine, with strawberries and blueberries doing the red and blue heavy lifting. It’s light, fruity, and low-effort—because the only thing that should be working overtime on the 4th is the cooler.

Ingredients:

  • 1 (750 ml) bottle dry white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)

  • 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced

  • 1 cup blueberries

  • ½ cup orange liqueur (such as Triple Sec or Cointreau)

  • 1 cup lemon-lime soda (or club soda for less sweetness)

  • Ice, for serving

  • Optional: apple slices cut into stars, because… why not

Instructions:

  1. Mix It Up: In a large pitcher, combine the white wine, orange liqueur, strawberries, and blueberries. Stir gently.

  2. Chill: Refrigerate for at least 1–2 hours to let the flavors mingle and the berries soften.

  3. Top It Off: Just before serving, add the lemon-lime soda for a bit of fizz. Serve over ice in glasses.

  4. Optional Flair: Add a few star-shaped apple slices to the pitcher or individual glasses if you’re feeling extra celebratory.

2. American Flag Daiquiri

american flag daiquiri

Serves: 4

This American flag daiquiri is a showstopper layered with red strawberry, white coconut, and blue curaçao daiquiris—a frozen trio that looks like it came straight off a 4th of July dessert table and into your glass. It’s bold, a little bit dramatic, and 100% worth the blender cleanup.

Ingredients:

Red Layer (Strawberry):

  • 1 cup frozen strawberries

  • 2 oz white rum

  • 1 oz lime juice

  • 1 oz simple syrup

  • 1 cup ice

White Layer (Coconut):

  • 1 cup cream of coconut

  • 2 oz white rum

  • 1 oz lime juice

  • 1 cup ice

Blue Layer (Blue Curaçao):

  • 2 oz blue curaçao

  • 2 oz white rum

  • 1 oz lime juice

  • 1 cup ice

Instructions:

  1. Blend the Layers Separately:  In a blender, combine all ingredients for the red layer and blend until smooth. Transfer to a container and freeze while you blend the next two layers. Repeat for the white and blue layers, rinsing the blender in between.

  2. Layer Carefully: To assemble, gently spoon or pour the firstlayer into the bottom of each glass. Add the next layer on top, then finish with the final layer. (Pro tip: Use a spoon to slow the pour for cleaner layers.)

  3. Serve Immediately: Garnish with a mini flag, lime wedge, or red sprinkles.

3. Liberty Lemonade

liberty lemonade

Serves: 2

Simple, summery, and just the right amount of sassy, liberty lemonade is your answer to “I want something refreshing but with a little kick.” Classic lemonade gets a grown-up twist with a splash of vodka, a drizzle of grenadine for that red glow, and a handful of blueberries for the star-spangled finish. It’s festive without trying too hard—and incredibly easy to make in a pinch.

Ingredients:

  • 1½ cups lemonade (store-bought or homemade)

  • 3 oz vodka

  • 1 oz grenadine

  • Ice

  • Handful of fresh blueberries

  • Lemon slices, for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Mix It Up: Fill two tall glasses with ice and blueberries.

  2. Pour & Layer: In a shaker (or just a glass), stir together the lemonade and vodka. Pour over the ice. Slowly drizzle in the grenadine—it’ll sink and create that signature red tint.

  3. Garnish & Serve: Add a lemon slice to each glass and serve immediately. Give it a stir before sipping if you want that flavor and color to mingle.

4. Stars and Stripes Margarita

stars and stripes margarita

Serves: 2

A classic margarita, but make it patriotic. This one keeps the flavor crisp and classic—tequila, lime, and orange liqueur—but dresses things up with a rim of red and blue sugar for maximum festive impact. 

Ingredients:

  • 3 oz silver tequila

  • 1 oz triple sec or orange liqueur

  • 2 oz freshly squeezed lime juice

  • 1 oz simple syrup (adjust to taste)

  • Ice

  • Red and blue sanding sugar, for rimming

  • Lime wedge, for rimming and garnish

Instructions:

  1. Garnish the Rim: Rub a lime wedge around the rim of each glass. Dip rim in red and blue sugar for that stars-and-stripes look.

  2. Shake the Margarita: In a shaker, combine tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and simple syrup with a handful of ice. Shake well for about 15 seconds.

  3. Serve: Fill the rimmed glasses with ice and strain the margarita over the top. Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy.

5. Patriotic Pina Colada

patriotic pina colada

Serves: 2

The patriotic piña colada is everything you love about the classic—creamy coconut, sweet pineapple, and rum—but layered with a red and blue twist that makes it firework-worthy. A frozen strawberry layer on the bottom, classic piña colada in the center, and a blueberry or blue curaçao topper turn this into the tropical cocktail equivalent of a flag-waving beach day.

Ingredients:

Red Layer (Strawberry):

  • 1 cup frozen strawberries

  • 1 oz white rum

  • 1 oz pineapple juice

  • ½ oz simple syrup

  • ½ cup ice

White Layer (Classic Piña Colada):

  • 2 oz white rum

  • 1 cup pineapple juice

  • ½ cup cream of coconut

  • 1 cup ice

Blue Layer:

  • 1 oz blue curaçao (for a float) or

  • ¼ cup frozen blueberries blended with a splash of pineapple juice and ice

Garnish:

  • Pineapple wedge

  • Cherry

  • Mini flag or festive drink pick (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Blend the Red Layer: In a blender, combine frozen strawberries, rum, pineapple juice, simple syrup, and ice. Blend until smooth and pour into the bottom of two glasses.

  2. Blend the White Layer: Rinse the blender, then blend the piña colada layer: white rum, pineapple juice, cream of coconut, and ice. Gently spoon this over the red layer.

  3. Top with Blue: For the top layer, either float blue curaçao gently over the white layer, or blend blueberries with a little pineapple juice and ice for a naturally blue finish. Spoon on top.

  4. Garnish & Serve: Add a pineapple wedge and/or cherry, and you’re ready to sip in stars-and-stripes style.

6. Sparkler Shots

sparkler shots

Serves: 4 (or more, depending on your party energy)

These sparkler shots are small, bold, and guaranteed to steal the show—just like their namesake. Layered with grenadine, blue curaçao, and a splash of cream liqueur, they’re sweet, striking, and surprisingly smooth. Plus, they look like they belong in a fireworks display—minus the fire hazard.

Ingredients (per shot):

  • ½ oz grenadine

  • ½ oz blue curaçao

  • ½ oz Irish cream liqueur (like Baileys or similar)

  • Whipped cream and sprinkles, for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Start with the Grenadine: Pour grenadine into the bottom of each shot glass.

  2. Layer the Blue Curaçao: Slowly pour blue curaçao over the back of a spoon to gently layer it on top of the grenadine.

  3. Finish with the Cream Liqueur: Carefully float the Irish cream on top using the same spoon trick.

  4. Serve Immediately: These shots are best served right away while the layers stay crisp and pretty. Garnish with whipped cream and sprinkles, if you like. 

7. Firecracker Martini

firecracker martini

Serves: 1

This firecracker martini brings the bang with a bold blue twist. Made with vodka, blue curaçao, and lemon juice, it’s citrusy, vibrant, and just dramatic enough to steal the spotlight at your 4th of July bash. A splash of sparkling water gives it a subtle fizz, and a cherry garnish adds that perfect red pop—because if you’re going patriotic, you may as well go all in.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz vodka

  • 1 oz blue curaçao

  • ¾ oz freshly squeezed lemon juice

  • Splash of club soda or lemon-lime soda (optional)

  • Ice

  • Maraschino cherry or lemon twist, for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Shake It Up: In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, blue curaçao, lemon juice, and ice. Shake until well chilled.

  2. Strain & Pour: Strain into a chilled martini glass.

  3. Top & Garnish: Add a splash of soda for sparkle, and garnish with a cherry or lemon twist for a pop of patriotic color.

8. Red, White, and Blueberry Mojito

red white blue mojito

Serves: 2

This red, white & blueberry mojito is what happens when your favorite refreshing summer cocktail gets a patriotic upgrade. It’s everything you love about a classic mojito—mint, lime, rum, and fizz—with the bonus of fresh strawberries and blueberries stirred in for a red-and-blue twist. Light, bubbly, and not too sweet, it’s basically the 4th of July in a glass.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz white rum

  • Juice of 1 lime

  • 1 tbsp sugar (or simple syrup)

  • 6–8 fresh mint leaves

  • ¼ cup fresh strawberries, sliced

  • ¼ cup fresh blueberries

  • Club soda or sparkling water

  • Ice

  • Extra mint and berries, for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Muddle the Good Stuff: In a cocktail shaker or glass, muddle the mint leaves, lime juice, sugar, strawberries, and blueberries until the fruit releases its juices and the mint is fragrant.

  2. Add Rum & Ice: Add the rum and fill the glass with ice. Shake or stir to chill.

  3. Top & Garnish: Pour into serving glasses, top with club soda, and give it a gentle stir. Garnish with extra berries and a sprig of mint.

9. Independence Ice

independence ice

Serves: 2

If your 4th of July cocktail goals involve layers, color, and chill-you-to-the-core refreshment, meet independence ice. This red, white, and blue frozen slush stacks strawberry vodka, coconut rum, and blue curaçao into a layered, boozy snow cone for grown-ups.

Ingredients:

Red Layer:

  • 1 cup ice

  • 2 oz strawberry vodka

White Layer:

  • 1 cup ice

  • 2 oz coconut rum

Blue Layer:

  • 1 cup ice

  • 2 oz blue curaçao

Instructions:

  1. Blend Each Layer Separately: In a blender, pulse ice and strawberry vodka until slushy – depending on the brand of vodka you use, you might want to add a few drops of food coloring to reach your desired hue. Transfer to a bowl and freeze while you repeat the process with coconut rum and then blue curaçao, rinsing the blender between layers.

  2. Layer the Slush: Spoon the layers into the glasses. Don’t worry about perfection—slightly messy stripes still count.

  3. Serve Immediately: Add a straw (or a tiny spoon, if you want to treat it like a cocktail snow cone) and sip before it melts.

10. Patriotic Punch

patriotic punch

Serves: 4

This patriotic punch keeps things simple, classic, and just boozy enough to take the edge off a hot July afternoon. A mix of vodka and cranberry juice makes up the bold red base, while a handful of fresh blueberries and cherries bring the stars-and-stripes flair. It’s refreshing, crowd-pleasing, and ideal for batching ahead—because no one wants to play bartender during the fireworks.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups cranberry juice

  • 1½ cups vodka

  • 1 tbsp lime juice (optional, for brightness)

  • Ice

  • ½ cup fresh blueberries

  • ½ cup fresh cherries, pitted

  • Lime wedges or mint sprigs, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Mix the Cocktail: In a pitcher, stir together the cranberry juice, vodka, and lime juice if using.

  2. Add the Fruit & Chill: Add the blueberries and cherries to the pitcher and chill until ready to serve.

  3. Serve Over Ice: Fill glasses with ice, pour in the punch, and garnish with a lime wedge or sprig of mint if you’re feeling fancy.

11. Star-Spangled Spritzer

star spangled spritzer

Serves: 2

This star-spangled spritzer is here to bring sparkle to your 4th of July—without stealing the show from the fireworks. A crisp combo of prosecco and berry vodka makes for a bubbly, celebratory base, while a swirl of red and blue fruit syrup adds a festive finish. Toss in a few raspberries and blueberries and you’ve got yourself a patriotic pour that’s as pretty as it is refreshing.

Ingredients:

  • 6 oz prosecco or sparkling wine

  • 2 oz berry-flavored vodka (like raspberry or blueberry)

  • 1 tbsp red fruit syrup (strawberry or raspberry)

  • 1 tbsp blue fruit syrup (blueberry or blue raspberry)

  • Fresh raspberries and blueberries

  • Ice (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Build the Bubbles: In a wine glass or champagne flute, pour the prosecco and berry vodka over ice if using.

  2. Add the Garnish: Drop in a few fresh raspberries and blueberries.

  3. Swirl in Syrup: Drizzle the red and blue fruit syrups gently into the glass. Give it a light swirl. 

12. Brave Blue Margarita

brave blue margarita

Serves: 2

This one is a vibrant twist on the classic, made with tequila, lime juice, and blue curaçao for that electric hue and citrusy punch. It’s just the right mix of sweet, tart, and totally sippable—served over ice and garnished with a salty rim and a slice of lime.

Ingredients:

  • 3 oz silver tequila

  • 1½ oz blue curaçao

  • 1½ oz freshly squeezed lime juice

  • 1 oz simple syrup (adjust to taste)

  • Ice

  • Coarse salt, for rimming

  • Lime wedges, for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Prep the Glass: Run a lime wedge around the rim of each glass and dip in coarse salt. Fill with ice and set aside.

  2. Shake the Margarita: In a cocktail shaker, combine tequila, blue curaçao, lime juice, and simple syrup with ice. Shake until well chilled.

  3. Pour & Garnish: Strain into the prepared glasses and garnish with a lime wedge.

Whatever your plans are this 4th July, I hope you’ll love making and serving up these cocktails! Which one will you be trying first? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.