The Best Cocktails for Your 4th of July Celebration

Banana Daiquiri

Skip the blender with this easy and elegant Banana Daiquiri that takes inspiration from the classic, three-ingredient rendition. Created by bartender Meagan Crumpley for San Diego's Ponyboy restaurant in the recently revamped mid-century modern Pearl Hotel, this cocktail uses a split base of white rum and rhum agricole. Banana liqueur, a rich simple syrup, and freshly squeezed lime juice round out this tropical classic.

Dog Days of Summer Ale

Bartender Tristan Willey created this whiskey-beer cocktail while at Brooklyn's Long Island Bar. It features Samuel Adams beer, bourbon, lemon juice, and sweet vermouth. This summer-ready cocktail gets its eye-catching red hue from Cherry Heering, a type of cherry cordial that also adds notes of marzipan, strawberry jam, and pine.

Greyhound

The Greyhound is a simple, mid-century classic made up of only two ingredients: grapefruit juice and a choice of vodka or gin.

Tart, citrus-forward, and refreshing, this easy highball is a no-brainer on a hot summer's day, paired with your favorite item hot off the grill.

Mai Tai (Original 1944)

Though the original 1944 Mai Tai is often misunderstood, the classic tropical cocktail was created by Victor “Trader Vic” Bergeron in 1944, to be a simple blend of rum, lime juice, orange liqueur, orgeat, and simple syrup. Look to this easy-to-make recipe for an authentic classic and a tropical favorite.

Bloody Maria

This tequila-spiked riff on a Bloody Mary, combines the agave spirit with tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and a combination of hot sauces, horseradish, celery salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Though it's often thought of as a brunch staple, the Bloody Maria's savory qualities and medley of edible garnishes make this an ideal July 4th cookout companion.

Jungle Bird

The Jungle Bird, invented by bartender Jeffrey Ong in the 1970s at the Kuala Lumpur Hilton in Malaysia, combines Campari with dark rum, lime juice, pineapple juice, and simple syrup. The tropical classic has bittersweet grapefruit notes with a rosy orange hue.

South Side

This bright, minty classic is a combination of gin, lemon juice, mint, and simple syrup. Likely created in the early 1900s, the South Side follows the sour template, not unlike the Gin Sour. Bright and refreshing, this simple cocktail is guaranteed to become a crowd favorite on a sweltering summer afternoon.

Spaghett

Whether or not it's officially Negroni season, you likely still have a bottle or two of Campari in your home bar. We suggest using them to make a Spaghett, a shockingly simple, crowd-pleasing beer cocktail that comes together right in the bottle.

Painkiller

Similar to a Piña Colada, a mix of rum, coconut, and pineapple, the Painkiller is even more complex with the addition of orange juice and freshly grated nutmeg. The baking spice is a crucial ingredient to the drink, giving it a spicy, tropical aroma that sets it apart from a classic Piña Colada. 

Agua de Jamaica

This nonalcoholic hibiscus agua fresca simply calls for dried hibiscus, agave nectar, and water. This Mexican classic works best when the weather warms up and is a great option for those not drinking. However, feel free to add mezcal or tequila for those looking to partake.