Cocktails to Ease the Heat This July 4th

Who doesn't love the 4th of July? The BBQ's, the fireworks, the cocktails! Up here in the northeast we love our summertime. We only get a few short months to pack all our summer fun in so the 4th is always a big celebration. I want to share with you some of our favorite cocktail recipes and some cool ways to serve them.

It never fails, once the weather starts to warm I'm in the mood for Gin and tonic. It is light, cool and refreshing. To make a gin and tonic simply mix a shot a gin with 4 ozs of tonic water over ice. Add a slice of lime and enjoy!

Another terrific drink to ease the heat on the 4th is Watermelon Slush. What is more American than watermelon? This is a terrific end to the hometown parade. Come home settle in and sip a cool delicious icy treat. To make watermelon slush:

8 cups diced watermelon, plus slices for garnish
8 ounces lemon vodka, chilled
7 ounces simple syrup
1 (17.5-ounce) can coconut juice
1 lemon
Chill watermelon in the freezer for 30 minutes. Put all the ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon. Serve very cold in a chilled glass, and garnish with watermelon or lemon slices.

While we are on the subject of watermelon let me tell you how to make a spiked watermelon. This looks great on the table and everyone will love it.

1/4 cup sugar
4 tablespoons lemon juice
1 (750 ml) bottle vodka
2 fresh mint sprigs
1 whole watermelon, 10 pounds or larger
Dissolve the sugar in the lemon juice. Pour out 1/4 cup vodka and add the lemon mixture and the mint sprigs to the bottle. Cap, shake, and let sit from 1 hour to overnight for the flavors to develop.

Cut a plug from the watermelon about 3-inches deep and as big around as the top of the bottle. Upend the bottle into the hole and let it sit for a couple of hours or until most of the vodka lemonade has been absorbed into the watermelon. Re-plug the watermelon and refrigerate it for a few hours. Slice and serve.

Take this holiday to spend time with those who mean the most to you. Enjoy the warm summer days, sit back and relax. Find small ways to have fun every day!