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! 

Fireworks Injury Incidents and Safety Tips for Your Family

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced on June 26, the release of a special study regarding incidents of injuries surrounding July 4 holiday festivities. The study, conducted by CPSC staff, found that 65 percent (or 7,400) of all fireworks injuries in 2013 were sustained during the 30 days surrounding the Independence Day holiday.

Shockingly, CPSC staff found that there were an estimated 11,400 people who sustained injuries related to fireworks. The 11,400 fireworks related injuries are a swift increase from 2012, which found 8,700 firework related injuries. More than half of these injuries were the result of unexpected ignition of the device or consumers not using fireworks as intended. Fireworks injuries most often resulted in burns to the hands and head, including the eyes, face, and ears. According to the special study, sparklers, firecrackers, and aerial devices were associated with the most incidents.

Whether it is the sparkle of the bright lights, or the thunderous boom of the explosion, there is no denying the thrill that fireworks can bring to an Independence Day celebration. Unfortunately, when consumers get their hands on professional fireworks, the results can be deadly. Last year, CPSC received reports of eight consumers who were killed by either professional-grade or homemade firework devices.

While the majority of fireworks injury reports involve emergency room treatment and release, CPSC is aware of more severe and fatal injuries that are associated with consumer use of professional-grade and homemade fireworks. Reports of faster-than-expected explosions and unpredictable flight paths of aerial devices have resulted in tragic consequences for some consumers.

In the eight reported fireworks-related deaths, the victims were killed when the illegal devices exploded, causing severe trauma to the head and face, and resulting in decapitation in one incident. In other incidents involving professional-grade or homemade devices, the victims reportedly sustained severe burns and the loss of fingers.

CPSC urges consumers to follow these safety steps:

1. Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
2. Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks. Parents may not realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees—hot enough to melt some metals.
3. Always have an adult closely supervise fireworks activities if older children are allowed to handle devices.
4. Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
5. Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
6. Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
7. Never try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Soak them with water and throw them away.
8. Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
9. Light fireworks one at a time, and then move back quickly.
10. Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
11. After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.

CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. For more information please visit CPSC online and for consumer product related questions call the CPSC Hotline at (800) 638-2772. El CPSC estudio está disponible en español.