The Fourth is just around the corner and will be here faster than you think! Be prepared for all of your 4th of July and three-day weekend festivities with sweet treats and drinks that are equally as tasty as they are patriotic. Whether you are attending a party or just lounging in your own backyard, these desserts and drinks will be the perfect sweet ending to your firework filled night.
Layered Red, White & Blue Beverage (Kid-friendly, non-alcoholic)
- 1 cup of Red Cran-Apple juice
- 1 cup of White Sobe Piña Colada flavored drink
- 1 cup of Blue G2 Gatorade
- Ice
The layering aspect of this beverage only works if you pour directly over ice and begin with the drink with the highest sugar content, in this case it is the Cran-Apple juice. Fill the glass 1/3 of the way full with Cran-Apple and then fill all the way to the top with ice. Slowly pour the Sobe Piña Colada drink on top of the Cran-Apple directly onto the ice, and follow with the Blue Gatorade. Consider using festive decorations or straws to add more creativity!
Cookie Pretzel M&M Bark
- 14 Oreo cookies broken into quarters
- 1 ½ cups of broken pretzel sticks
- 1-2 packages of white chocolate candy melts
- 1 cup of Red, White, and Blue M&Ms
Line a cookie sheet with wax paper and spread out the broken pretzels and Oreos. Melt the candy melts in the microwave following the directions on the packaging, once smooth drizzle on top of the crushed base. Make sure to create an even coating over the pretzel-cookie mixture. Before the chocolate hardens, scatter the red, white, and blue M&Ms over the top and push in firmly. Allow an hour or so for the bark to cool, then remove from cookie sheet and break into bite-sized pieces.
Buzzed (or not) Cherries Bites
- One jar of maraschino cherries
- 1 cup of vanilla vodka (optional)
- 1 package of white candy melts
- 1/2 cup of blue sugar sprinkles
These bite sized treats are sure to please any adult or child, if made without the alcohol. To make according to the original recipe for the ‘buzzed’ cherries, remove the cherry juice from the jar and replace with vanilla vodka, allow to sit and soak overnight. Remove cherries from jar and pat dry. Heat the candy melts to a smooth, silky texture per the directions on the packaging. Dip each cherry ¾ of the way into the chocolate and set on cookie sheet. Before the chocolate dries completely, dip bottom half of cherry into the blue sugar sprinkles. If you want to make the cherries without alcohol, just add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the already packaged cherry juice and set overnight, go about the remainder of the recipe the same.
Sweeten up your summer holiday with these drink and dessert options, they will please any guest of any age and bring out the patriotic spirit in everyone! Happy 4th of July & happy celebrating!
