Fourth of July Cocktail Recipes and Metrokane Barware Review

As the summer party season goes off full-tilt this weekend with Fourth of July celebrations across the US, it calls for tasty cocktails and happy hours spent with family and friends. I love to entertain so I’m rather excited for the upcoming celebrations, but I’ve come to learn that the best entertaining occurs when the host or hostess actually has time to spend with their guests. So, how does one ensure that their guests are well cared for while enjoying the festivities themselves? Easy … planning and streamlining.

As for the planning part, think through your menu and perhaps opt for casual cuisine. After all summer begs casual. Pre-make as much as you can and don’t be afraid to delegate. As for streamlining, Rabbit Barware by Metrokane offers several super handy gadgets that make cocktail hour a happy one. From opening bottles to mixing cocktails and even preserving wine, all can be accomplished with a touch of a button.

Beginning with Metrokane Rabbit “Electra” Corkscrew ($40), which pulls a cork in 7 seconds and a single charge opens 30 plus bottles, my initial thought was “Wow, lazy much?” but this gadget simply makes life easier. And this is what you’re aiming for when entertaining. Not to mention that the Rabbit Corkscrew looks sleek (available in black and red) and makes a nice looking addition to your bar.

Next up, is the Metrokane Rabbit Electric Cocktail Mixer ($20). I place this on the “essential for entertaining” list. The Rabbit Electric Cocktail Mixer holds 18oz and mixes a cocktail in 15 seconds or less. It’s powered by a 6500-rpm motor, runs off of 2 - AAA batteries and now that I’ve tried it, I can’t imagine entertaining without one.

Lastly is the Metrokane Rabbit Electric Wine Preserver ($40), which is also available in black or red, this gadget pulls a vacuum of 19 Hg in a wine bottle in 10 to 15 seconds and preserves wine’s flavor for up to a week. Now I realize that not everyone has “leftover” wine after a party, but if you do I can comfortably recommend this wine preserver.

Okay, now that you have a few barware recommendations let’s get to a few Fourth of July cocktail recommendations. Chefs Lee Anne Wong and Joey Campanaro, as well as mixologists Alie Ward & Georgia Hardstark have fashioned recipes specifically for this very special occasion of our country’s Independence Day celebration.

Red, White & Blueberry - By Chef Lee Anne Wong

Ingredients:

• 4 parts Maker’s Mark Bourbon
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed and strained lime juice
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed and strained lemon juice
• ½ cup freshly squeezed and strained orange juice
• 1 part simple syrup
• 4 mint leaves, plus more for garnish
• Assorted berries: raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries
• Splash club soda

Directions: Combine the juices, Maker’s Mark Bourbon, simple syrup, and mint leaves in a large shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously. Strain into 2 tall glasses over ice and add a splash of soda. Cut berries and mint leaves as garnish. Serve immediately.

From America to Peru - Now, if you’re feeling a little adventurous and want to depart from a traditional drink, the mixologists at Portón pisco have offered two cocktail recipes to The Daily Dose readers. What is pisco? It is a native Peruvian spirit made from grapes.

Portón Blueberry Cooler

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ part Portón
• ½ part St. Germain
• ½ Fresh Lemon Juice
• Muddles Fresh Blueberries

Directions: Build over ice in a rock glass; garnish with mint leaves

Freedom Lemonade

Ingredients:

1. 1 part Portón
2. 1 part Fresh squeezed lime juice
3. 1 part Simple syrup
4. Splash club soda

Directions: Muddle limes in the bottom of a tall rocks glass. Combine Portón, lime juice and simple syrup in a shaker with ice; shake and strain into glass over ice and garnish with lime wedge.

Orange You Glad It's Got Tequila?

Courtesy of mixologists Alie Ward & Georgia Hardstark

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 oz. Reposado tequila
• 3/4 oz. Orange liqueur
• 3/4 oz. Espresso, chilled

Directions: Add all the ingredients to a tall glass or a cocktail shaker. Add ice and stir for 30 seconds to a minute, and strain into an up glass. Garnish with a strip of orange peel, spiraled inside the glass.

Puttin’ On The Spritz

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Chardonnay
• 1/2 cup lemon-lime soda
• Lemon
• Lime

Directions: Fill glass halfway with ice. Pour Chardonnay over ice and top with lemon-lime soda. Add a few lemon and lime slices to glass, and garnish with lemon wheel

Rabbit Barware is available online at the Metrokane Store and select retailers nationwide. Whatever way that you choose to celebrate our country’s independence, please remember to drink responsibly and Happy Fourth of July!