If you want to enjoy a patriotic drink without artificial food dyes, this mocktail recipe is for you! It’s easy to make and pairs perfectly with your favorite potluck recipes.
Sip on it while enjoying some July 4th fireworks! It’s also perfect for any other patriotic holiday, like Memorial Day or Labor Day.
Patriotic Mocktail Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Lemon juice. Freshly squeezed lemon juice tastes better than the bottled stuff from the store. You can also substitute lime juice, if you prefer, but you’ll get more juice from lemons.
- Simple syrup. I use honey for a naturally sweetened simple syrup , but you can also purchase a store-bought option to save time.
- Sparkling water. Plain club soda or a fruity sparkling water will add bubbles to your mocktail, making it feel more special.
- Fresh fruit. You’ll need a green apple (because it’s less prone to browning), fresh strawberries, and blueberries to complete the red, white, and blue garnishes.
How to Make Mocktails for 4th of July
Step 1:
Prepare a batch of honey simple syrup if you haven’t already. It’s simply 1/2 cup of honey mixed with a 1/2 cup of boiled water.
Whisk well until the honey has dissolved, then it’s ready to use.
Step 2:
In a serving glass, combine three tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, three tablespoons of simple syrup, and 3/4 cup of sparkling water. Stir well to combine, then top it off with ice.
To prepare the garnish, thinly slice a green or yellow apple on a cutting board. (These apples won’t brown as quickly as some red ones do.)
Then use a small star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out a star shape from the apple.
Step 3:
Add a star to each glass you make, along with a few fresh red and blue berries. Sliced strawberries or raspberries will work for the red color! Or you could even use a slice of watermelon.
Finish it off with straws and serve right away. You can also garnish this refreshing drink with fresh mint leaves or any other extras you love.
Note: This ratio is simply a suggestion! To lower the sugar content, use less simple syrup than this recipe calls for. For a non-sparkling drink, swap the club soda for coconut water and stay extra hydrated in the summer heat.
Star Cookie Cutters
Paper Straws
Lemon Juicer
Ingredients1x2x3x
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons honey simple syrup
- ¾ cup sparkling water or club soda
- ice, for serving
- sliced strawberries, green apple, and blueberries , for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the mocktail by combining the lemon juice, simple syrup, and sparkling water in a serving glass. Stir well then top it off with ice.
- Thinly slice the green apple into rounds, then use a star-shaped cookie cutter to press a star into each round. (See the photos in the post for guidance.) You’ll need to cut the stars shortly before serving, so they won’t turn brown.
- When you’re ready to serve the drink, top it off with a few sliced strawberries and blueberries for the red and blue color. Then add an apple star to finish off the look!
Notes
Nutrition
4th of July Mocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons honey simple syrup
- ¾ cup sparkling water or club soda
- ice, for serving
- sliced strawberries, green apple, and blueberries , for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the mocktail by combining the lemon juice, simple syrup, and sparkling water in a serving glass. Stir well then top it off with ice.
- Thinly slice the green apple into rounds, then use a star-shaped cookie cutter to press a star into each round. (See the photos in the post for guidance.) You’ll need to cut the stars shortly before serving, so they won’t turn brown.
- When you’re ready to serve the drink, top it off with a few sliced strawberries and blueberries for the red and blue color. Then add an apple star to finish off the look!
