Americans are poised to spend billions of dollars on alcoholic beverages to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday weekend. In fact, it is estimated one out of every two U.S. adults will buy alcohol this weekend, spending an average of $72.
While a lot of that money is likely going toward six-packs, Americans shouldn’t forget that this is also an ideal time to get creative and concoct an ambitious summer cocktail.
Industry advocate Distilled Spirits Council tells Fortune there has been heightened interest in cocktails, especially as mixologists become more playful with their creations. They’ve also brought back classics like the Negroni or Old Fashions, and are even updating those drinks as well.
“With consumers’ interest in more complex and classic cocktails, they are elevating their drink offerings at gatherings to cocktails with fresh and more sophisticated ingredients,” says Kelley McDonough, director of public relations at Distilled Spirits Council. She adds that people are putting more effort into intricate mojitos and punches.
12 great wines under $20 a bottle
Looking for a fresh idea? Fortune has six for you to consider.
Casamigos Watermelon Punch
1 Liter Casamigos Blanco
12 Parts Fresh Watermelon Juice
8 Parts Fresh Lime Juice
4 Parts Orange Liqueur
4 Parts Agave Nectar
Directions: Add all ingredients to a punch bowl. Stir in ice to fill and dilute. Garnish with watermelon and mint leaves. Stir before each serving, as the agave will settle to the bottom.
Samuel Adams Summer Ale Sangria
4 and 1/4 bottles Samuel Adams Summer Ale
2 bottles of light white wine, like a sweet Riesling
2 oz soda water
1/2 cup of cognac
1/2 cup of apple schnapps
1/2 cup of simple syrup
2 honeydew melons, peeled, sliced and diced
4 oranges, cut in to wheels
Directions: Mix all ingredients except soda water together in a large bowl, and refrigerate overnight. Add 2 oz. of soda water, and serve.
Lemon Tell You Somethin’ Honey
1.5 parts Auchentoshan American Oak Single Malt Scotch Whisky
1/2 part Honey Syrup
1 part Fresh Lemon Juice
3 parts Belgian wheat beer (aka witbier)
Directions: Build in a tall glass or beer stein filled with ice. Stir. Garnish with lemon peel. (Honey Syrup: 1 part honey to 1 part water, boil and cool before using).
The Ginger Cooler
3 oz Lipton Pineapple Chamomile Herbal Tea, chilled
1/4 oz fresh lemon juice
1 oz Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur
1/2 oz Vodka, Bourbon or Cognac
Directions: Pour ingredients over fresh ice in a Collins glass. Stir in one strawberry, sliced. Garnish with a lemon wedge.
The Giddy Up
6 cold coffee
3 oz Hochstadter’s Slow & Low Whiskey
2 oz Heavy Cream
0.5 oz John D Taylors Velvet Falernum
Barspoon of honey
Dash of Bittercubes Blackstrap Bitters
Directions: Shake ingredients on ice and strain over coffee ice cubes.
Aperol Spritz
3 parts Cinzano Prosecco
2 parts Aperol
1 splash of soda
Directions: Serve over ice in a stemmed balloon wine glass. Add a slice of orange, pour in the Prosecco, the Aperol and a splash of soda.