Ask An OC Expert: Fourth Of July Cocktail Recipes

The Fourth of July is right around the corner, and while there is nothing wrong with having a cooler full of beer, and some other party standards, you may just want to create some beverages that your guests will really remember. However, you want to keep them light in the July heat. Robert Hoover of Harlow's Cuisine and Cocktails has the prescription with these light and delicious cocktails

Robert Hoover
Harlow's Cuisine and Cocktails
31111 Rancho Viejo Road
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 240-8100
www.harlowscuisine.com

Robert Hoover has been the head bartender at Harlow's Cuisine and Cocktails since it opened a year ago. Altogether, he has 13 years of experience in everything from dives to sports bars and hotels. The bartenders at Harlow's strive to create culinary cocktails that are "a libation of love for each guest." As for Hoover, he says, "Tending bar for me is not just a job, it's my trade. It's my contribution to this world. It's my craft. This is my personal creed." After seeing these cocktail recipes, you'll agree it's a fine creed.

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The Red, White and Blue

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Hudson Valley White Whiskey
• 3/4 oz fresh-squeezed lemon juice
• 3/4 oz simple syrup
• 3 fresh red raspberries
• 4 ripe blueberries
• Tonic water

Directions:

1. In a mixing glass, smash all berries together.
2. Add the lemon juice.
3. Add the simple syrup.
4. Add the whiskey.
5. Fill the mixing glass with ice, cover and shake.
6. Strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass.
7. Top the drink off with tonic water.
8. Garnish with a raspberry and a blueberry on a pick.

The My My (Miss American Pie)

Ingredients:

• 2 oz of Laird's Old Apple Brandy
• 1 oz raw apple juice
• 3/4 oz maple syrup
• 3/4 oz fresh-squeezed lime juice
• Seltzer water

Directions:

1. Combine all of the ingredients except the seltzer water into a mixing glass.
2. Add ice, cover and shake.
3. Strain into a tall Collins glass filled with fresh ice.
4. Top with seltzer water.
5. Garnish with a slice of apple.

The Lemonade Stand

Ingredients:

• 3 oz of your favorite clear spirit
• 3 oz of freshly-squeezed Meyer lemon juice
• 2 oz of honey-water syrup (equal parts honey and water)
• Freshly-cut lemon pinwheels
• Lemon-lime soda

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients except the lemon-lime soda in mixing glass.
2. Add ice, cover and shake.
3. Layer the lemon pinwheels on the wall of a new Collins glass and then add fresh ice.
4. Strain the mixture into a tall Collins glass.
5. Garnish with one more lemon pinwheel.

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