The quintessential summer holiday is quickly approaching… Independence Day!

What better way to cool down on a hot (probably humid) day in Tennessee than to kick back with a cocktail, designed to inspire your patriotism? At Bill’s Package Store, we’re ready to help you celebrate the Red, White, and Blue! So before you make your annual stop at the fireworks stand, pick up some tasty ingredients to get the party started.

SPARKLING RED, WHITE AND BLUE SANGRIA

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle dry white wine
• 2 cups (1 pint) fresh blueberries
• 1 cup fresh raspberries
• 1 cup apple juice (or white grape juice)
• 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1 bottle champagne (or any variety of sparkling white wine)
• 3-4 Granny Smith apples
• ice

Directions:

1. Stir together white wine, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and apple juice together in a large pitcher.
2. Cover and refrigerate for 1-4 hours, so that the flavors can meld.  (Heads up that the longer the mixture sits, the redder it will become.)
3. When you’re ready to serve the sangria, gradually stir in the champagne and apples and ice.  
4. Serve immediately.

Recipe by Gimme some oven

PATRIOTIC GIN AND TONIC WITH BERRY ICE CUBES RECIPE

Ingredients:

• 2 Shots Gin
• Tonic
• Blueberries
• Raspberries
• Water

Directions:

1. Place blueberries and raspberries ice cube tray, keeping them separate. Use 3-5 blueberries and 1-2 raspberries per ice cube depending on the size of your ice cube tray.
2. Fill ice cube tray with water and freeze.
3. Once frozen, place ice cubes in glass layering the blueberry cubes at the bottom and the raspberry cubes on top. Use about 3 of each type of ice cube per glass, this may vary based on the size of your glass.
4. Pour gin over ice.
5. Fill the glass the rest of the water with tonic.

Recipe by TastyBev

Red, White, and Blue Snow Cones

Ingredients:

• 1 c sugar
• 1/2 c water
• crushed ice

For red syrup

• 1 c strawberries, halved
• ¼ c white rum

For blue syrup

• juice of 1 lime
• ¼ c blue curacao

Directions:

1. Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat to make simple syrup. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar, and then reduce to a simmer, and stirring cook for two minutes.
2. For red syrup: Pour half of the simple syrup – about 1/2 cup – over the strawberries. Allow to macerate for 1 hour, then puree in a blender with the white rum. Strain through a fine mesh sieve and reserve. (add food coloring for a redder syrup)
3. For blue syrup: Combine remaining syrup, lime juice, and Curacao. Stir to combine completely. Chill syrups until ready to serve.
4. To make ice: Use a snow cone machine or blend ice in a blender (you may have to do this in batches, keeping each batch in the freezer as you make the next one.
5. Scoop crushed ice into glasses, then squirt syrups over packed, crushed ice and enjoy!

Recipe by Clinton Kelly

Before you throw your big Fourth of July Bash, come see us at Bill’s Package Store for the all the ingredients you’ll need to make a taste explosion! Our helpful staff on Ft. Campbell Blvd is ready to assist with all of your cocktail making needs. From spirits to wine, we’ve got you covered!