The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Three cheers for the red, white and blue!
Refreshing, patriotic drinks to enjoy now
Refreshing, patriotic drinks your guests will enjoy as you gather to celebrate the nation’s independence.
Three cheers for the red, white and blue — cocktails! Declare your independence from the same-old sippers and add some sparkle to your celebration, starting with Red, White and Blue Punch
“It’s a fun drink,” said Joanne Levengood of Manatawny Creek Winery in Douglassville. “You go to these picnics, and you just expect something different than a can of beer… Although, I do love beer. Don’t get me wrong.”
She mixes her blueberry wine called Happiness with orange juice, ginger ale, brandy, blueberries, strawberries, lemon and whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a treat that’s “really pretty” and “yummy.”
Or let freedom ring with a patriotic martini. It’s an eye-catching blend of blue Hpnotiq liqueur, citrus vodka and lemon-lime soda. Slowly adding grenadine gives that layered effect.
“You have the three colors of the flag: the red, white and blue,” explained wine specialist Rob Peters of Fine Wine & Good Spirits in Ardmore. “Plus, I think it’s a nice combination of flavors that lend themselves to warm weather.”
How about a Star-Spangled Spritzer? This layered drink features pineapple vodka, blue curaçao, grenadine and club soda.
“The club soda gives you the effervescence and also helps cut down on the sweetness,” he said.
Finally, for something sweet and sour try a Cherry Breeze.
“We’re sort of taking the concept of a whiskey sour and modifying it,” Peters described. “It’s a new expression on a classic theme.”
And “who doesn’t like cherries?”
Red, White & Blue Martini
INGREDIENTS 2 ounces Hpnotiq 1 ounce Smirnoff Citrus Vodka 1 splash lemon-lime soda 1 teaspoon grenadine 3 fresh blueberries INSTRUCTIONS
Combine first three ingredients in a shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Slowly pour in grenadine. It will fall to the bottom of the glass, creating a layered effect. Garnish with blueberries
RECIPE COURTESY OF FINE WINE & GOOD SPIRITS
Cherry Breeze
INGREDIENTS 2 ounces Evan Williams Cherry Whiskey 1 ounce cranberry juice 31/2 ounces lemonade INSTRUCTIONS Combine all ingredients in a shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into a tall glass filled with fresh ice.
RECIPE COURTESY OF FINE WINE & GOOD SPIRITS
Star-Spangled Spritzer
INGREDIENTS
1 ounce Pinnacle Pineapple Vodka (can substitute with Raspberry, Blueberry, Strawberry Shortcake or Vanilla Vodka) 1 ounce DeKuyper Blue Curaçao 1 ounce grenadine Club soda Fresh fruit (optional) INSTRUCTIONS
Carefully pour ingredients separately into a rocks glass. Add ice and garnish with fruit, if desired.
RECIPE COURTESY OF FINE WINE & GOOD SPIRITS
Red, White & Blue Punch
INGREDIENTS
1 bottle Manatawny Creek Winery’s Happiness (blueberry) wine 1 cup orange juice (not from concentrate) 8 ounces ginger ale 1/2 cup fresh blueberries 1/2 cup frozen strawberries 1 lemon, thinly sliced ¼ cup brandy Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream INSTRUCTIONS
We’re using fresh blueberries for the blue component since it’s blueberry season currently and frozen strawberries for the red component since that season is over. And for the white part, top with ice cream or whipped cream depending on how you are serving this delightful summer treat.
RECIPE COURTESY OF MANATAWNY CREEK WINERY