Celebrate the 4th of July with these festive drinks! They include fruity cocktails, summery spritzes, refreshing non-alcoholic options, and more.
Say hello to our best 4th of July drinks! They include cocktails that range from fruity and fun (looking at you, strawberry margarita) to crisp and classic (like this negroni). You’ll also find several non-alcoholic options here. They’re colorful, refreshing, and just as festive as any of the alcoholic cocktails on this list.
I think drinks are an underrated part of any July Fourth cookout, potluck, or picnic menu. A summery cocktail or a cold pitcher of lemonade will instantly make your celebration feel more festive, and it gives everyone something to sip while you put the finishing touches on whatever’s coming off the grill. So take a look through these 4th of July drinks and choose one to round out your holiday meal. Cheers, friends!
Our Best 4th of July Cocktails
Watermelon Margarita
I never host a July 4th cookout without watermelon on the menu. These margaritas are one of my favorite ways to serve it. Blended watermelon sweetens them naturally and makes them a gorgeous bright pink.
White Sangria
Looking for 4th of July cocktails for a crowd? You can’t beat this white sangria! Prep it a day ahead so that it can steep overnight with the citrus, peaches, and berries. When your guests arrive, this fruity, delicious drink will be ready to pour!
Paloma Cocktail
Margaritas get a lot of love at summer celebrations, but paloma cocktails belong in the mix too. They’re traditionally made with grapefruit soda, but I like to use sparkling water and grapefruit juice for a fresher twist.
Mojito Recipe
Fresh mint and lime juice make this classic rum cocktail so refreshing for summer. Easy to make by the glass or scale up for a pitcher, it’s our most popular 4th of July drink every year!
Aperol Spritz
Bring a little European flair to your Independence Day party by serving these bubbly spritzes! They’re easy to make with a 3:2:1 ratio of Prosecco, Aperol, and club soda.
Tom Collins Cocktail
Basically lemonade’s boozy cousin, this sparkling gin cocktail is perfect for a 4th of July celebration. Serve it in a tall glass with ice and a festive maraschino cherry on top.
Strawberry Margarita
Put the red in red, white, and blue with these strawberry margaritas! Fresh strawberry puree gives them their vibrant color and sweet-tart berry flavor. These are great with classic simple syrup, but I also love them with basil simple syrup for a fun herbaceous twist.
Ranch Water
This 3-ingredient summer cocktail is a less-sweet alternative to a margarita, made with just tequila, sparkling water, and lime. It’s super popular in Austin, Texas, where I live. It’ll be a hit at your 4th of July party too!
Limoncello Spritz
This classic spritz takes me back to my first trip to Italy with Jack. Sweet, fizzy, and bright with lemon, it’s perfect for a hot summer day—whether you’re on an Italian island or in your own backyard.
Moscow Mule
A Moscow mule is one of those classic vodka cocktails that you can make year-round, but I especially love the brightness of the lime and the refreshing bite of the ginger beer in summer. Don’t have copper mugs? These are just as tasty in regular glasses!
Spicy Margarita
Spice up your Fourth of July party with these jalapeño-infused drinks! A Tajín rim makes them look extra-festive and adds another layer of savory, spicy flavor.
Negroni
If Jack were choosing our 4th of July drinks, a negroni would be his top pick. This Italian cocktail is boozy and bitter, with a complex citrusy flavor from Campari. Serve it with a big square ice cube so it slowly dilutes the drink as you sip.
Red Sangria
Just like my white sangria, this red sangria is a perfect 4th of July cocktail for a crowd. The recipe makes a whole pitcher, and you can (and should) make it ahead so the flavors have a chance to develop in the fridge.
Frozen Mango Margarita
What’s more summery than frozen margs?! These ones get their frosty texture from blended frozen mango, which also sweetens them naturally. No simple syrup or agave required!
Hugo Spritz
If you’re looking for 4th of July cocktails that will impress guests, you can’t go wrong with a fizzy Hugo spritz. It’s less famous than spritzes made with Aperol or limoncello…but it might be even more delicious, starring elderflower liqueur and plenty of fresh mint.
Classic Margarita
It’s a classic for a reason.
Non-Alcoholic 4th of July Drinks
Strawberry Lemonade
Move over, pink lemonade mix! This homemade strawberry lemonade relies on fresh lemon juice and strawberry puree for its stunning color and delicious sweet-tart flavor. Adults and kiddos love this one—my son Ollie can’t get enough!
Aguas Frescas
Speaking of 4th of July drinks kids will love, these aguas frescas are another of Ollie’s favorites. You can make my base recipe with almost any fruit. We love pineapple, mango, strawberries, and more. Watermelon would be especially fun for the Fourth!
Hibiscus Tea
With its crimson color, this 2-ingredient hibiscus tea is practically begging for a spot on your Fourth of July table. It has a tart, cranberry-like flavor that’s delicious plain or lightly sweetened. Garnish it with raspberries and fresh mint to take it over the top.
Homemade Lemonade
No one will complain about an ice-cold glass of lemonade on the 4th of July. Make sure to use fresh-squeezed juice—it really sets this recipe apart from store-bought.
Are you making any of these 4th of July drinks? Leave a comment below to let me know which ones you try!
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