Get Your Patriotic Drink On Red, White, and Booze for the Win!
Memorial Day is a time to honor and remember the brave men and women who sacrificed in service to our country. It’s also a time for celebrating with family and friends, often over delicious food and drinks.
If planning a Memorial Day gathering, why not incorporate patriotic colors into your cocktail menu?
Red, white, and blue cocktails are a fun and festive way to toast to our nation’s heroes while enjoying some refreshing drinks in the sunshine.
Here are eight cocktail recipes that are either red, white, or blue in honor of Memorial Day:
Red Sangria: Made with red wine, brandy, fruit, and a touch of sweetness, this classic Spanish drink is perfect for warm summer days, and its deep red color adds a patriotic flair to any gathering.
- 1 bottle of red wine
- 1/2 cup brandy
- 1/4 cup orange liqueur
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 lime, sliced
- 1 cup chopped fruit (such as strawberries, raspberries, and apples)
- Club soda, for serving
In a large pitcher, combine the wine, brandy, orange liqueur, sugar, and fruit. Stir well and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight. Serve over ice, topped with club soda.
Blue Margarita: Made with tequila, blue curaçao, lime juice, and simple syrup, this twist on the classic margarita is perfect for a patriotic party. The bright blue color is eye-catching and unique.
- 2 ounces tequila
- 1 ounce blue curaçao
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- Salt (optional)
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a salt-rimmed glass filled with ice.
Strawberry Daiquiri: Made with rum, fresh strawberries, lime juice, and simple syrup, this fruity cocktail is perfect for a summer barbecue or beach day. The bright red color of the strawberries adds a patriotic touch to the drink.
- 2 ounces white rum
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 3/4 ounce simple syrup
- 4-6 fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
- Ice
Combine all ingredients in a blender with ice. Blend until smooth and serve in a lowball type glass with a fresh strawberry garnish.
Piña Colada: This tropical cocktail with rum, pineapple juice, and coconut cream is a perfect addition to any Memorial Day party. The white color of the coconut cream and pineapple juice creates a refreshing drink that can be sipped all day long.
- 2 ounces white rum
- 2 ounces of pineapple juice
- 2 ounces of coconut cream
- Ice
Combine all ingredients in a blender with ice. Blend until smooth and serve in a highball glass with a pineapple wedge and cherry garnish.
Blueberry Martini: Made with vodka, blueberry liqueur, and fresh blueberries, this martini is perfect for a patriotic toast. The deep blue color and fruity flavor make it a refreshing and unique options.
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce blueberry liqueur
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- Fresh blueberries
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled long stem martini glass. Garnish with fresh blueberries.
Red Velvet Martini: Made with vodka, creme de cacao, and cream, this cocktail has the flavors of a classic red velvet cake. The deep red color and rich taste make it a perfect dessert cocktail for a Memorial Day gathering.
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce creme de cacao
- 1 ounce cream
- Red food coloring
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass. Add a drop of red food coloring to achieve the desired color, and top off with whipped cream.
Blue Lagoon: Made with vodka, blue curaçao, and lemonade, this cocktail is reminiscent of a tropical island vacation. The bright blue color adds a fun and festive touch to any party.
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce blue curaçao
- 4 ounces lemonade
- Ice
Combine all ingredients in a tall glass with ice. Stir well and garnish with a lemon slice.
Watermelon Margarita: Made with tequila, fresh watermelon, lime juice, and simple syrup, this cocktail is perfect for a hot summer day. The bright red color of the watermelon adds a pop of color to the drink, and the refreshing taste is ideal for a barbecue.
- 2 ounces tequila
- 1 ounce fresh watermelon juice
- 1/2 ounce lime juice
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- Watermelon wedge (for garnish)
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a margarita glass with ice. Garnish with a watermelon wedge.
Did you know?
One interesting fact about red, white, and blue cocktails for Memorial Day is that the colors are not just symbolic of the American flag. Still, they also have a special meaning in the world of mixology.
According to bartending lore, the colors red, white, and blue represent the three basic ingredients of cocktails: spirits (red), mixers (white), and ice (blue). So, when you’re sipping on a red, white, and blue cocktail this Memorial Day, you can impress your friends with your newfound knowledge of cocktail symbolism!
A little history:
The history of red, white, and blue cocktails goes back many decades, and their popularity has been tied to various cultural and historical events.
For example, during World War II, cocktails made with red, white, and blue ingredients were popular among American soldiers to show patriotism and boost morale.
Recently, the popularity of red, white, and blue cocktails has been tied to national holidays like Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. Bartenders and mixologists often create unique cocktails for these occasions that feature red, white, and blue ingredients, like berries, cream, and blue curaçao.
The tradition of patriotic cocktails is also a nod to the history of mixology itself. Many classic cocktails, like the Bloody Mary and the White Russian, were created decades ago and have become enduring symbols of cocktail culture.
By incorporating patriotic colors into modern cocktail recipes, bartenders pay homage to traditions while also making new and exciting drinks for the present.
