If you’re planning an Independence Day party and need inspiration for some refreshing summer drinks, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you want to match your red, white and blue decor or are looking for recipes that are easy to serve for a crowd, these 4th of July cocktails will fit the bill.
Every year I host a cookout for Independence Day.
And there are two things that I can always be sure of.
It’s going to be hot. And a lot of people are going to show up.
Which means I need to serve refreshing summer cocktails that are easy to make for a crowd.
And they get bonus points if they are red, white and/or blue to match my patriotic decorations.
So that’s where this list of my favorite 4th of July alcoholic drinks comes from.
1 | Layered Red, White and Blue Cocktail
Image credit: Our Crafty Mom Kick off your summer celebrations with a bang by whipping up a vibrant red, white, and blue layered cocktail that’s perfect for Memorial Day, 4th of July, or any festive summer gathering.
This refreshing drink is not only a visual treat with its patriotic colors but also a breeze to make in just 5 minutes.
For those looking for a non-alcoholic version, there’s a kid-friendly twist that swaps out the booze for something everyone can enjoy, ensuring your party is a hit with guests of all ages.
2 | Blue margarita
Image credit: Easy Drinks And Apps One of the easiest ways to get in the patriotic spirit is to have your cocktails match your 4th of July decor.
Which is where this margarita recipe made with Blue Curaçao and Tequila comes in handy.
It looks pretty and tastes so refreshing.
3 | Coconut mojito
Image credit: Easy Drinks And Apps White drinks that go with your patriotic color scheme and also taste summery can be a little hard to find.
But this coconut mojito definitely fits the bill.
It’s a creamy and refreshing cocktail, and tastes like you’re on a tropical island.
4 | Patriotic jello shots
I serve Jello shots at all of my parties because they are super easy to match to a theme.
So it should come as no surprise that I make them for the 4th of July, too.
If I feel like putting in a little more effort, I make red, white and blue layered ones.
If I’m feeling lazy, I make them as individual jello shots. Which is less work, and they still make a statement.
5 | Swedish fish jello shots
Or if you like the idea of making jello shots but want to do something a little different, these Swedish Fish ones are an option.
They always remind me of being at the beach.
And they taste good, too.
You can also browse all of our Jello shot recipes for more ideas.
6 | The Ultimate Blue Motorcycle Drink
Image credit: Enza’s Quail Hollow Kitchen The Ultimate Blue Motorcycle Drink is a vibrant and refreshing choice for your 4th of July celebration, offering a perfect balance of sweet and sour citrus flavors that mask its strength.
Its beautiful blue color and a bubbly twist (thanks to the addition of lemon-lime soda) make it a fun and potent option to enjoy during the warm summer festivities.
7 | Strawberry, Raspberry and lime sangria
Sangria is one of my all time favorite summer party drinks.
It tastes better when it is made ahead of time and is a big batch cocktail by default. So it’s great for serving a crowd.
This one is made with summer berries like strawberries, raspberries and blueberries with some lime juice to cut the sweetness. Very refreshing!
Variations: Summer sangria recipes8 | Red, white and blue sangria
Image credit: Ann’s Entitled Life Or if you want to make a Sangria that is specifically a 4th of July drink recipe, this could be what you’re looking for.
It uses red, white and blue fruit and cuts some of them into star shapes to add to the patriotic theme.
For more ideas, check out our list of the best summer Sangria recipes.
9 | Watermelon Sangria
Watermelon is another 4th of July staple at my house. It’s such a refreshing fruit on a hot summer day that I have to buy at least one.
And it’s great for making summer cocktails, too.
Like this watermelon sangria that uses frozen watermelon cubes to keep it cold. So tasty!
10 | Frozen watermelon margarita
Speaking of watermelon, if you want something a little stronger than Sangria, this frozen margarita recipe may be just what you are looking for.
It’s made with fresh watermelon and tequila (of course!). And it looks as summery as it tastes.
11 | Mixed berry frozen margaritas
If you prefer summer berries to watermelon, try this mixed berry margarita.
It is also frozen to help beat the summer heat, and is super easy to put together.
12 | Jolly rancher cocktail
Image credit: Easy Drinks And Apps For something a little different, try this Jolly Rancher cocktail.
It uses peach and apple flavors to create a summery drink that is also super easy to make.
13 | Orange creamsicle cocktail
This cocktail does not go with the red, white and blue color scheme at all.
But it tastes so much like my favorite frozen summer treat (Creamsicles) that I just have to serve it at my 4th of July party anyhow.
It’s made with whipped cream vodka and orange soda. And tastes just like the original, with a bit of a kick.
14 | Strawberry Mojitos
Drinks Made with mint and lime, Mojitos are the ultimate summer drink.
For even more summer flavor, this recipe uses fresh strawberries that look so pretty in the glass. And go with the patriotic color scheme.
15 | Blueberry Mojitos
Or if you’re looking for more a blue color, you can make a blueberry Mojito instead.
It’s an easy cocktail that is equally as tasty and refreshing.
16 | Blueberry lemonade mimosas
You could also combine blueberries and lemonade with sparkling wine (or champagne) to create these blueberry lemonade mimosas.
It’s really easy to create a big batch of the blueberry lemonade so you don’t have to do much mixing at serving time.
And everyone can choose how much or how little alcohol they want to add.
17 | Strawberry mimosas
Because I love strawberries so much, I had to make a strawberry mimosa recipe, too.
Another fourth of July cocktail that tastes so good on a hot day.
Have comments or questions about our 4th of July cocktails? Tell us in the section below.
This post was originally published on June 12, 2023 but was updated with new content on March 29, 2025.