Red, White & Booze: Star-Spangled Sips

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I wave my holiday freak flag high and proud. Any excuse to be fun, festive and celebratory sounds like a good time to me!

On Fourth of July, I like to break out red, white and blue everything —including drinks. These summery cocktails, all made using Ocean Vodka, can easily be created and consumed at your Fourth of July cookouts and parties.

Founded in 2005, the Maui-based Ocean Vodka creates an organic product that supports the local economy and raises awareness for ocean conservation.

Red: Freedom Fizz

Shirley Temple is all grown up! This fizzy refresher is light enough to be enjoyed all day long, whether you’re frolicking at the beach or cruising in your backyard.

Ingredients:

-1 part Ocean Vodka

-2 parts lemon-lime soda

-splash of grenadine

-mixed berries for garnish

Mix the vodka, soda and grenadine. Pour into a glass filled with ice and garnish with the mixed berries.

White: Liquid Liberty

This one is not for the faint of heart — too many and you’ll miss the fireworks! As a twist on a traditional dirty martini, the bleu cheese olives add a deliciously festive touch.

Ingredients:

-2 parts Ocean Vodka

-1 part dry vermouth

-1 part tonic water

-splash of olive juice

-bleu cheese stuffed olives for garnish

Mix the vodka, vermouth and tonic water. Shake well. Pour into a glass filled with ice, splash in olive juice and garnish with speared olives.

Blue: Patriot Punch

The perfect blend of both fruits and fizz, Patriot Punch is a tropical infusion of flavor. The best part? You can easily multiply this recipe for prolonged partying.

Ingredients:

-2 parts Ocean Vodka

-1 part Blue Curacao

-1 part Strawberry schnapps

-splash of lemon-lime soda

-strawberry for garnish

Mix the vodka, Curacao, schnapps and lemon-lime soda. Pour into a glass filled with ice and garnish with a strawberry.