Here are some delicious 4th of July recipes to make for your party or family gathering, plus fun activities to do!
No matter how much you encourage boys to use their reusable water balloonsThey insist on the bunches that you fill in bulk or giant balloons to make huge water babies. Here they are with a giant water “baby” swinging in the hammock.
Happy 4th of July week!
I hope you’re enjoying a day or two of rest over the holidays. We’re at home stocking up on sparklers and some (legal) fireworks to do with the kids. Don’t forget to Fill your pool bag!
If you’re having a picnic this week and need a last-minute dish to share, I’ll share some festive 4th of July recipes below along with family-friendly activities and some summer home decor ideas.
Recipes for the 4th of July
Smoked salmon burgers
These smoked salmon burgers are SO easy to make and with the addition of some veggies they get even crispier! Make sure to order the delicious Hawaiian rolls.
Party Bean and Corn Dip
This party dip is one of our favorites! And here’s Thomas’ version.
Make-Ahead Toothpick Apps
This post about chopstick apps is one of the most popular on Pinterest! These three ideas for making healthy food with chopsticks help you avoid sharing utensils 😉
Arugula and goat cheese salad
This arugula and goat cheese salad recipe is a fresh side dish that pairs perfectly with grilled burgers and corn on the cob.
Summer Pasta Salad
This is one of those great pasta salad recipes where you can mix and match whatever you have in your fridge or garden. Substitute 2.5 cups of your own summer greens and use whatever combination of fresh and dried herbs you have in your pantry. You can’t go wrong!
Stacked red, white and blue shakes
These stacked smoothies take a little work to make, but wouldn’t your kids love them!
Mini Whole Wheat Blueberry Cobbler Muffins
Another way to use up those juicy blueberries this summer, these blueberry muffins would look so cute in little paper bags.
Some more recipes for the 4th of July friends
Fun activities for the whole family for the 4th of July
- Decorate your driveway with sidewalk chalk: flags, fireworks and more!
- Make homemade popsicles with 100% fruit juice and coconut water for a refreshing treat.
- Or work together to do Kid-friendly gelatin stars!
- Host a lawn games tournament with sack races and water balloon toss!
- Go for a bike ride with your family, dressed in your best red, white and blue attire. Add colorful streamers to your bike and play some patriotic songs on a mini speaker.
Home Decor Finds for Summer
From a chic outdoor fireplace to adorable wicker patio furniture and colorful lawn games, I’ve linked them all These summer outdoor life finds are here.
10 4th of July Themed Cocktails and Mocktails:
1. Red, white and blue sangria:
- Ingredients: Red wine, white wine, blueberries, strawberries, apple slices, club soda, brandy, lemon juice, simple syrup.
- Preparation: Mix red wine with brandy and syrup, white wine with lemon juice and syrup. Add fruit and top up with carbonated water.
2. Firecracker Margarita:
- Ingredients: Tequila, triple sec, lime juice, jalapeño slices, blue curaçao.
- Method: Mix tequila, triple sec, lime juice and jalapeño slices with ice. Strain into a glass and float the blue curaçao.
3. Stars and Stripes Mojito:
- Ingredients: White rum, mint leaves, lemon juice, simple syrup, blueberries, strawberries, sparkling mineral water.
- Method: Muddle mint leaves, lime juice and syrup. Add rum and ice, top up with carbonated water and garnish with blueberries and strawberries.
4. Patriotic Piña Colada:
- Ingredients: Rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice, blue curaçao, grenadine.
- Method: Blend the rum, coconut cream and pineapple juice with ice. Pour the grenadine into a glass, add the blended mixture and then stir in the blue curaçao.
5. Independence Punch:
- Ingredients: Vodka, lemonade, cranberry juice, grenadine.
- Method: Mix vodka, lemonade and cranberry juice in a pitcher. Pour into glasses with ice and add a splash of grenadine for color.
6. Liberty Lemonade:
- Ingredients: Gin, lemonade, raspberries, blueberries, mint leaves.
- Method: Mix the gin and lemonade in a jug. Muddle the raspberries and blueberries into glasses, fill with ice, pour the lemonade mixture over and garnish with mint.
7. American Bengal:
- Ingredients: Champagne or sparkling wine, blueberries, strawberries.
- Method: Place the blueberries and strawberries in a glass and top with chilled Champagne or sparkling wine.
8. Rocket-blasted martini:
- Ingredients: Vodka, blue curaçao, cranberry juice, lemon peel.
- Method: Shake vodka, blue curaçao and cranberry juice with ice. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a lemon wedge.
9. Stars and Stripes Mule:
- Ingredients: Vodka, ginger beer, lime juice, cranberries, raspberries.
- Method: Muddle blueberries and raspberries in a copper mug, add vodka and lime juice, top with ginger beer and ice.
10. Betsy Ross Breeze:
- Ingredients: Rum, coconut water, pineapple juice, cranberry juice.
- Method: Combine rum, coconut water and pineapple juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a glass and float the cranberry juice on top for a layered effect.
Non-alcoholic cocktails:
1. Quick cooler for red fruits:
- Ingredients: Carbonated water, red berry syrup, lemon juice, raspberries, blueberries.
- Preparation: Mix sparkling water, berry syrup and lemon juice. Garnish with raspberries and blueberries.
2. Sunny Citrus Soda:
- Ingredients: Orange juice, lemon and lime soda, grenadine, lemon slices, maraschino cherries.
- Preparation: Mix orange juice and lemon-lime soda in a glass with ice. Add grenadine for color and garnish with lemon slices and cherries.
3. Patriotic coup:
- Ingredients: Cranberry juice, lemon-lime soda, blueberries, strawberries.
- Preparation: Mix cranberry juice and lemon-lime soda in a pitcher. Add cranberries and strawberries for garnish.
