Hello friends, I’m Joaquim Ramos and I love mixing up cocktails that are both delicious and visually stunning. That’s why I’m excited to share my Sparkling Red, White, and Booze: 4th of July Cocktail Extravaganza with you! This patriotic and bubbly drink features fresh blueberries, lemon juice, vodka, and of course, sparkling wine. It’s the perfect signature cocktail to serve at your 4th of July party and impress your guests with!
Joaquim is a graphic designer from Brazil who has always had a passion for mixology. When he’s not creating beautiful designs, he loves experimenting with different cocktail recipes and ingredients.
Joaquim Ramos currently resides in the United States and grew up in Brazil.
As a Brazilian living in the United States, I feel a personal connection to this recipe. It’s the perfect representation of how people from different cultural and culinary backgrounds can come together to create something new and exciting. The US is known for its love of patriotic celebrations, and Brazil is famous for its delicious cocktails – so this recipe is the perfect combination of both! I can’t wait to show my American friends how to shake up a Brazilian-style cocktail this 4th of July.
This recipe is a personal favorite of mine and it’s inspired by my travels to Rio de Janeiro, where I fell in love with the city’s vibrant culture and food scene. While enjoying some drinks at a local bar, I noticed the bartender using fresh blueberry puree in his cocktails, and I thought it would be the perfect addition to a festive 4th of July drink. After some experimentation, I found that the blueberries paired perfectly with vodka, lemon juice, and sparkling wine – and the Sparkling Red, White, and Booze: 4th of July Cocktail Extravaganza was born! I can’t wait for you to try this fun, fruity, and boozy drink – and let me know what you think!
What you need
Looking for a signature cocktail that’s both patriotic and delicious for your 4th of July party? Look no further than my Sparkling Red, White, and Booze cocktail extravaganza! This refreshing and festive drink combines various ingredients to create a fruity, boozy, and sparkling cocktail that is sure to impress your guests. The blueberries add a pop of color and a sweet-tart flavor, while the vodka, lemon juice, and ice add a boozy and refreshing kick. But the real star of the show is the sparkling wine, which provides the bubbly and effervescent finish that makes this cocktail truly special. To make this drink, simply muddle the blueberries, add the other ingredients, shake and strain, then top with sparkling wine and a lemon twist and enjoy! So, raise a glass to America and celebrate in style with my Sparkling Red, White, and Booze: 4th of July Cocktail Extravaganza!
Ingredients:
- Blueberries – Adds the bright blue color to the cocktail and provides a subtle fruity sweetness. Can be replaced with blackberries or raspberries for a different flavor.
- Vodka – Adds a boozy kick to the cocktail that complements the refreshing lemon and sparkling wine. Can be swapped with gin or rum for a different flavor profile.
- Lemons – Adds a tart and refreshing flavor to the cocktail that balances out the sweetness. Can be swapped with lime juice for a different citrusy flavor.
- Sparkling wine – Adds the bubbles and effervescence to the cocktail, making it refreshing and celebratory. Can be replaced with prosecco or champagne for a different type of sparkling wine.
- Ice – Keeps the cocktail refreshing and cold. Can be swapped with frozen fruit for an extra pop of flavor.
Utensils:
- Cocktail shaker – Required to mix and chill the cocktail ingredients together.
- Muddler – Helps to extract the flavor from the blueberries while keeping them intact. Can be replaced with a small wooden spoon or a fork to mash the berries.
- Fine-mesh strainer – Optional, used to strain out the blueberry pulp before adding the cocktail to the shaker. Can be replaced with a regular strainer or skipped altogether if a slightly pulpy texture is desired.
- Martini or wine glasses – Required to serve the cocktail in a festive and elegant manner.
- Ice bucket – Optional, but recommended if serving the cocktail outdoors or in warm weather to keep it cold. Can be replaced with a large bowl or a cooler filled with ice.
Sparkling Wine
When it comes to drinks that are synonymous with celebration, you can’t go wrong with sparkling wine. And when it comes to summer, nothing beats a refreshing glass of bubbly to cool you down on a hot day. While my usual go-to sparkling wine is prosecco, for this cocktail recipe, I recommend using a dry sparkling wine or a brut for a more sophisticated and refreshing taste. The bubbles in sparkling wine come from carbon dioxide, which is infused into the wine, giving it that signature effervescence. Fun fact: Did you know that the famous French sparkling wine, Champagne, can only legally be called Champagne if it comes from the Champagne region of France? So, make sure you’re using the right type of sparkling wine for your cocktail extravaganza!
Blueberries
Not only do blueberries add a patriotic pop of blue to this cocktail, but they also provide a powerful punch of antioxidants and vitamins. Blueberries contain flavonoids, which have been shown to improve cognitive function, and are rich in vitamin C, which is important for maintaining healthy skin and a strong immune system. Plus, they taste delicious! When muddled in this cocktail, the blueberries release their sweet and tart flavor, which pairs perfectly with the fresh lemon juice and sparkling wine. I also love that blueberries are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of recipes, from smoothies to pies to muffins. So next time you’re at the store, make sure to grab a basket of these little blue orbs and enjoy them in all their delicious glory!
What to serve it with?
When I serve my Sparkling Red, White, and Booze: 4th of July Cocktail Extravaganza, I love pairing it with a classic American dish: barbecue pulled pork sliders. The sweetness of the sliders pairs perfectly with the tartness of the blueberries and lemon juice, while the savory notes of the pork complement the boozy kick of the vodka and sparkling wine. Plus, barbecue is such an iconic 4th of July food – it just makes sense! As a Brazilian who loves exploring American food culture, introducing my friends to this classic and delicious dish is always such a joy.
Summary
Thank you for taking the time to explore my Sparkling Red, White, and Booze: 4th of July Cocktail Extravaganza recipe with me. This recipe is truly a labor of love – a fusion of my Brazilian roots and my love for American culture. I hope that when you try this refreshing and patriotic cocktail, it reminds you of the joy of gathering with loved ones and celebrating all that makes this country great.
Now, I want to hear from you! Have you tried this recipe before? Are you excited to add it to your 4th of July celebration this year? Let me know in the comments below – I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
Here’s the recipe:
Sparkling Red, White, and Booze: 4th of July Cocktail Extravaganza!
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
- Muddler
- fine mesh strainer
- Martini or wine glasses
- Ice Bucket
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Blueberries
- 1 cup Vodka
- 2, juiced Lemons
- 1 bottle Sparkling wine
- 1 cup Ice
Instructions
- Muddle the blueberries - In a cocktail shaker, use a muddler to mash the blueberries until they release their juices and become somewhat crushed. - Make sure to not over-muddle the blueberries, as this can cause them to become bitter. You want to release their flavor, not pulverize them.
- Add the other ingredients - Add the vodka, lemon juice, and ice to the cocktail shaker. Close the shaker and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds. - Use fresh lemon juice instead of bottled for the best flavor. And make sure to fill the shaker with plenty of ice to get the cocktail nice and cold.
- Strain and pour - Strain the cocktail through a fine-mesh strainer into a large measuring cup or pitcher, pressing on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids. Pour the cocktail into martini or wine glasses, filling them about 2/3 full. - If you don't have a fine-mesh strainer, you can use a regular strainer or skip this step, but the cocktail will be slightly pulpy. And don't fill the glasses too full, as you want to leave enough room for the sparkling wine.
- Top with sparkling wine - Top each glass of the cocktail with sparkling wine. You can do this by pouring the sparkling wine directly into the glasses, or by pouring it into the measuring cup or pitcher with the cocktail and stirring gently to combine. Stir gently to combine. - When pouring the sparkling wine, tilt the glass at a 45-degree angle and pour slowly down the side, then slowly straighten the glass as you pour to create a frothy head of bubbles. And don't stir too vigorously, as you don't want to lose all the carbonation in the sparkling wine.
- Garnish and serve - Garnish each glass with a lemon twist or wedge and a few fresh blueberries. Serve immediately and enjoy! - To make a lemon twist, use a vegetable peeler or a knife to cut a long, thin strip of lemon peel. Twist it over the glass to release the oils, then curl it around a pencil or your finger to create a spiral.
