Holiday Prep

When we think of "preppers," it's not the people stockpiling food, etc. In our opinion, a proper prepper is someone who has the drinks ready in time. Here are some fresh ideas for the upcoming Independence Day holiday weekend.

The Serrano

1 1/2 oz. Tito's vodka
1/2 oz. Campari
1/2 oz. Villa Massa Limoncello
1 1/2 oz. fresh orange juice
Ice cubes

Combine all ingredients and shake well. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a lemon twist. Not exactly a red, white and blue theme, but it is crisp and delicious.

Summer is always about sangria, but we have one with something a little different.

Hard Cider Sangria

Instead of wine, this juicy sangria is made with hard cider spiked with lemon juice and apple brandy.

1 cup quartered and thinly sliced unpeeled green, yellow and red apples
1 navel orange—quartered and thinly sliced crosswise
1 cup apple juice, chilled
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup Laird's Apple Jack
two 12-ounce bottle Smith & Forge hard apple cider, chilled
Ice

In a pitcher, combine the apples with the orange, apple juice, lemon juice and brandy. Just before serving, add the hard cider. Serve in tall glasses over ice.

Cheers

Rockets' Red Glare

1 ½ oz. Patron Silver Tequila
1 ½ oz. cranberry juice
½ oz. Hiram Walker Triple Sec
1 oz. lime juice
Blue sugar and watermelon star for garnish

Add all ingredients into a blender with ice.  Blend and pour into a blue sugar rimmed glass. Garnish with watermelon star and serve.

Sunset Punch

Because sometimes, a punch bowl is the best choice. And it's a great prelude to a local fireworks show.

Ingredients
8 ounces Woodford Reserve Bourbon
8 ounces white vermouth (Cinzano Bianco)
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice, plus lemon slices for garnish
1/4 cup simple syrup
12 ounces chilled Gosling's ginger beer

In a punch bowl, combine the bourbon, vermouth, lemon juice and syrup. Add the ginger beer and lemon slices and serve over ice.