4th of July Cocktail
Celebrate Independence Day in style with this stunning 4th of July Layered Cocktail recipe! Learn how to easily create beautiful, distinct layers with vodka, lime, grenadine, and blue curaçao (or a fun blue Gatorade option!). This easy-to-follow guide ensures a show-stopping, refreshing cocktail for your holiday barbecue or party.
Yield: 1 cocktail
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Special Equipment: pint glass, cocktail shaker, bar spoon
Ingredients
2 oz Vodka, chilled
1 oz Lime Juice, freshly squeezed for best results
2 oz Grenadine
2 oz Blue Curaçao or 2 oz Blue Raspberry Gatorade for a non-alcoholic or less alcoholic blue layer
Plenty of Ice Cubes
Directions
Red Layer: Begin by pouring the 2 ounces of vibrant grenadine into the bottom of your chosen tall, clear glass. This will form the red base. Now, fill your glass generously with ice cubes.
White Layer: In a separate cocktail shaker or a glass measuring cup with a spout, combine the 2 ounces of vodka with the 1 ounce of lime juice. Shake or stir them together until well mixed. This is a crucial step for clear layers. Slowly and steadily pour the vodka-lime mixture over the ice in your glass. While some suggest pouring over the back of a spoon for this layer, a very slow and consistent pour directly from a spout often works best, minimizing splashes and allowing the white layer to settle gracefully above the red. Take your time!
Red Layer: For the final, eye-catching blue layer, place a spoon upside down just above the white layer, resting the tip against the inside rim of the glass. Very slowly pour the 2 ounces of blue curaçao (or blue Gatorade) over the back of the spoon. This technique, similar to how bartenders create a "Black and Tan," helps to cascade the liquid gently, allowing it to float on top of the white layer without mixing. The purpose of the spoon is to cascade the liquid because it is heavier than the blue layer.
