Celebrate the 4th of July with more than beer

Beer is great in the summer however a signature cocktail is often the stylish edge you need when giving a party. Passing a pitcher around is an elegant way to welcome guests. Quantities of these recipes can be increased to pre-batch drinks for ten or so at a time to make service easier while you are giving a party. It's also fun and fosters guest interaction to put drinks in a punch bowl with some oversize ice.

Here are a couple of hot weather treats. Both are in single serving portions.

From Brazil to the Bay Area: Red White and Blue Caipirinha

Ingredients:

2 ounces Cabana Cachaça (or another type of Cachaça)
1/4 Lime
2 to 3 Fresh Raspberries
2 to 3 Fresh Blueberries
1 to 2 Fresh Strawberries
1 Flat Bar Spoon Sugar
Soda to top the drink off 

 In a mixing glass, muddle sugar, lime, raspberries, blueberries and strawberries. Add the other ingredients and shake them with ice.

From Your Childhood Memories: Bistro Champagne Lemonade
Courtesy of Paul Martin's American Bistro, El Segundo and Roseville, California

Ingredients:
1 1/2 ounces lemon vodka (Charbay makes a nice version)
1 ounce  fresh lemonade
1/2 ounce Ventura Limoncello Originale (or other type of Limoncello)
1/2 ounce simple syrup (equal parts sugar and boiling water, it can also by purchased by the bottle)
2 torn basil leaves
Champagne or sparkling wine to top the drink off

Mix all the ingredients, except the basil and sparkling wine, in a shaker on the rocks and strain into a Martini glass. Garnish with the basil leaves and the sparkling wine. If you are pre batching this drink add the sparkling wine individually to each drink.

Happy 4th,

Liza the Wine Chick