Perfect Drinks for Your Fourth of July Party

The burgers are on the grill, the potato salad is made, the fireworks are ready for the party, but what do you serve to drink for your Fourth of July party?

Nothing says summer like the classic margarita. The ingredients are simple and your guests will be happy.

Dip the rim of a margarita glass into water, then into margarita salt.

Mix 1.5 ounces of good quality tequila, .5 ounces triple sec and 1 ounce of lime juice. Pour over ice and serve. If you prefer a blended margarita, pour the liquid ingredients into the blender and add 1 cup of ice. Blend until smooth or large chunks of ice are gone. Pour into your prepared glass and garnish with a slice of lime.

For a grown up version of tea, pour glasses of Long Island Iced Tea, and prepared for the kick that will come later. You may see more fireworks than your Fourth of July party.

Combine equal parts of tequila, rum, gin, vodka, and triple sec. Add one and a half parts sour mix. Pour over ice and top with a splash of cola.

Another classic summer drink is the Jack Daniel's Lynchburg Lemonade.

Mix equal parts Jack Daniel's whiskey, triple sec and sweet and sour mix. Pour over ice and add four parts white soda such as Sprite or 7-Up. Garnish with a lemon slice.

Would you like a drink that shows the red, white and blue colors of the Fourth of July? Pour one part UV Vodka (it's a blue vodka) over ice, pour two parts lemonade, and top it with a splash of grenadine for a festive drink.

If you'd like to be a little out of the ordinary, serve an ice cream drink after your meal. A Comfortable Pillow is sure to impress your guests and quench the sweet tooth. Add equal parts of Southern Comfort, Irish cream, and white crème de cocoa to a blender with one cup of ice cream. Pour into a glass and top with cinnamon and nutmeg for a cool and delicious drink.

If your guests are chocoholics, try serving a chocolate martini. This is a delicious and indulgent twist on the classic drink.

Swirl the inside of the martini glass with chocolate syrup. Mix together two ounces of good quality vodka, .5 ounces chocolate liqueur, and .5 ounces of white crème de cocoa into a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into the chocolate lined glass.

Your Fourth of July party is sure to be a hit whether you choose to serve one, or all, of these drinks. Many of these can be made in large quantities and put out in pitchers to make your preparation time shorter and allow you to enjoy more of your party.

Remember to drink responsibly, and make sure your guests do as well.