Our Favorite Festive Drinks to Serve on the Fourth of July

If you want to offer a patriotic drink option, opt for just the red-hued beverage seen here. But this is your holiday gathering, so you make the rules—if you'r open to a variety of color options, go ahead and make all three so that there's a Fourth of July drink to suit every family member's preferences.

Here's a bitch-batch fizzy and refreshing big-batch cocktail that can be made ahead of time. It's a riff on the Jasmine, a classic gin cocktail, and the popular Aperol Spritz. You'll find that it's just right for sipping before dinner on a summer's day.

If you want to make a drink that's as rich as dessert, go for this Coquito. Its name means "little coconut" in Spanish and refers to the coconut milk in this classic Puerto Rican rum cocktail. It also contains evaporated milk and condensed milk. You'll need a blender for this recipe, but it makes six stellar drinks.

An update of the Italian-American caffé Romano, an espresso served with a bit of lemon peel, this fizzy incarnation blends tart lemon soda with a cool shot. It tastes bright and full-bodied, like an amplified Arnold Palmer. Mix one up—it's sunshine in a glass.

Make a batch of this caffeine-free citrusy drink to help your loved ones keep cool in the July heat.

If you're looking for a more overtly patriotic option, this shrub is it. We love that it's the perfect combination of sweet and sour, which makes for a flavorful Fourth of July drink. 

Mix up a pitcher of this make-ahead margarita for a cookout. Mezcal, tequila's smoky cousin, gives the drink its signature flavor.

Looking for a fruity big-batch drink for your festivities? Try this mojito. The mango base can be made up to a day in advance. Add mint and club soda just before serving.

There are many variations on this classic beer-tomato-lime cocktail. Our version is slightly spicy, making it just right for a long, hot day.

This refreshing non-alcoholic drink looks sophisticated but is so easy to mix up: Just combine lemon juice, cucumber slices, and good tonic water for a booze-free version of the G&T.

A hollowed watermelon is the perfect serving bowl for a drink made with its juice.

Ideal for kids and those looking for a non-alcoholic option, this drink is a tiki-inspired beverage that will transport everyone to a tropical locale. 

A pitcher of sangria made with white wine, fruit, and orange liqueur will get the party started.

Try this colorful update on the Arnold Palmer: Floral herbal tea combines with bright citrus flavors to create a really refreshing, slightly sweet drink that everyone will enjoy.

Arguably one of the most refreshing Fourth of July drinks around, this frozen treat will delight adults and kids alike. Add a bit of booze to grown-ups' cups for a sweet frozen cocktail. 

Mix a large pitcher of this ultimate warm-weather cocktail to quench your guests' thirst.

Our take on the classic summer quencher includes ginger ale in addition to the usual lemonade. The ginger ale mellows the flavor of Pimm's—a fruity, spicy gin-based liqueur—and makes a celebratory, effervescent drink.

Cooling, sweet, and with just a little caffeine, this long iced drink is just right on a summer afternoon.

Two summer classics come together to create this fruity favorite. It's the perfect sip for a day spent under the sun.

Here's a light, fruity party punch that can be made with any sparkling wine. Macerate sliced peaches, nectarines, and apricots in peach brandy and stir in the bubbly just before serving.