The Perfect 4th of July Cocktail

The 4th of July. No work, no worries, and a full day dedicated to barbequing and relaxing. I can think of no better way to celebrate independence from our current best ally than sitting on a back porch (or fire escape, whichever suits your needs) and drinking a nice cool glass of something alcoholic.

Have I got the perfect girly cocktail for those 4th of July needs. It’s chilled, fruity, and when served with blueberries and a hint of whipped cream, it’s patriotic.

Watermelon Mellow

• 8 cups diced watermelon (about 1/2 of a small watermelon, plus slices for garnish)

• 8 ounces lemon vodka (make sure it’s chilled)

• 7 ounces simple syrup*

• 1 can coconut juice

• 1 lemon

Put your diced watermelon in the freezer for 30 minutes. Afterwards, put all the ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth. Squeeze some fresh lemon into the mixture, and serve very cold in a chilled glass. Feel free to garnish with watermelon, a few blueberries, and the slightest hint of whipped cream.

(*simple syrup is easy to make. Take 1 cup sugar and 1 cup of water and pour both into a small saucepan. Cook on low heat and stir until the sugar dissolves.)

Have a great 4th, and always remember to drink responsibly. Being wasted while fireworks are booming overhead can be very disorienting…and nobody likes a confused drunk.