Fireworks, patriotism and guns! It’s the Fourth of July, and the best way to enjoy the
aforementioned Americana is with a drink in your hand.
It shouldn’t surprise anyone that my weapon of choice is a frosty beer. I prefer the warmth provided by a cold brew over the hassle of mixing colorful drinks anyday. However, the fourth of july affords special circumstances, and as your loyal alcohol connoisseur, I'd like to impart some variations on a theme that might just kick that barbecue into party overdrive.
First, you want to be sure the beer you're drinking is representative of the glorious U.S. of A, and that you're not lining some European fat cat's pockets.
Yuengling is America’s
oldest brewery, founded in 1829, and Sam Adams is, by its name alone, the brewer and the patriot.
Anchor Steam was born and raised in the USA and comes from one of America’s first successful
microbreweries, which also makes Anchor Liberty Ale.
Here's a word of warning, my patriot friends: Budweiser,
Miller and Coors are all at least partially owned by foreign companies.
Another good idea for your Independence Day drinking is layered drinks. With a bit of
technique, you can pour layers of red, white and blue liquors or mixers.
To do this, try to determine
the density of your alcohols. If you’re short a hydrometer, you can always experiment until you figure
it out. Pour your heaviest drink into the bottom of a glass and wait a minute or so for it to settle.
Carefully pouring over the back of a spoon to protect the bottom layer, float your next heaviest liquor
on top.
Once the drink settles, pour your third the same way. It might take some practice, but it will be
worth it in the end. Worst-case scenario, line up a shot of each for a more horizontal and less difficult
tricolor effect.
For those without steady hands or patience, it’s easier to layer red, white and blue Jell-O
shots. Just mix and cool the colors one at a time, adding them on top as you go.
For the white layer,
consider a mix of cream, sugar, vanilla, coconut rum and gelatin for extra flavor and texture.
Whether you celebrate our nation’s birth with beer, liquor, Jell-O shots or even soft drinks, make
sure you exercise caution around explosives, campfires and sparklers. You know what they say: “It’s
all fun and games until someone loses an eye or a testicle.”
Here are some Fourth-inspired drink ideas, aptly titled “the preamble,” courtesy of UV vodka.
