Ah, fireworks. Summer’s most stunning display is a favorite for any American, and just about every city and town across this great nation hosts a firework show of its own.
Whether you’re bringing your kids, gathering with family or just hitting the park with friends, Fourth of July fireworks are an absolute must, and it’s better when you make a day of it.
Grab some snacks, make a few delicious drinks and have an Independence Day picnic in style. We make it easy for you with the staff-picks and hand-crafted recipes below.
See also: Fourth of July Fashion: Outfits for your Parties
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Heating and Plumbing London might be a British company, but we’ll let it slide when it comes to these wonderful, waterproof picnic blankets and rugs. Made from pure new wool in a variety of colors and patterns, each blanket comes with a leather carrying belt, so you can roll up and tote your rug, and look good doing it. The company also sells perfectly-paired cushions and portable champagne buckets, if you’re ready for the full set.
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Not in the mood to lounge on the grass? Maybe you’ve got a family of four or more to entertain. For bigger adventures, we suggest this handy, easy-to-unfold portable picnic table from Kamp-Rite. The Kwik Set Table and Benches is good for indoor or outdoor dining, featuring two folding benches and a table that can be adjusted for height. The whole set packs and folds into a roughly four-foot long carrying case, so you can pack it and set it up just about anywhere.
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Comfort is king in these Cliq travel seats. They fold up to a size no larger than a wine bottle, which is a lot easier to deal with than your average lawn chair. It’s made for durability with aircraft-grade aluminum and twice-stitched ripstop ballistic nylon, capable of holding up to 300 lbs while only weighing 3.5 lbs in your hand.
Hard seltzers are all the rage, but we love a good, crisp, refreshing cider. Original Sin is a New York-based company brewing up some of the most inventive ciders on the market, and founder Gidon Coll isn’t letting the holiday pass without a hat tip to the red, white and blue. In honor of the company’s 25th anniversary, Original Sin has announces the New York Dry in a patriotic can. Made from a blend of freshly-pressed, New York-grown McIntosh, Ida Red and Cortland apples, this fizzy brew will quench your thirst and brighten your independent spirit.
All American Punch Recipe
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Bespoken Spirits is a Bay Area-based distillery that takes a sustainable, scientific approach to its whiskey. Rather than aging its alcohol in a barrel, Bespoken uses proprietary ACTivation technology to infuse its spirits with enhanced aroma, color and taste. You can buy their liquors ready-made, or distill and mature your own blend. That being said, they hooked us up with an All American Punch recipe perfect for your Fourth of July celebrations.
Honey simple syrup:
Punch:
Americana Frozen Cocktails
We also caught up with celebrity caterer Andrea Correale of Elegant Affairs, who taught us how to make a fun and vibrant, red, white and blue cocktail fit for the ‘gram.
Blue Ingredients:
White Ingredients:
Red Ingredients:
Instructions:
Correale also shared with us a delicious recipe for blueberry crumble. Not only is this All-American recipe delicious, it’s colorful and fun. Bring this to your firework picnic or backyard barbecue and watch everyone come back for seconds. Pair it with some vanilla ice cream, and you’ve got yourself a slice of heaven.
All American Blueberry Crumble
Yields: 6 Servings
Blueberry Filling Ingredients:
Crumble Ingredients:
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix the blueberries with all the ingredients, minus the crumble ingredients.
3. Add the coated blueberries to a cast iron skillet or Pyrex dish, and pat down lightly until the mixture is evenly distributed.
4. In a separate bowl, mix the crumble ingredients together.
5. Using your hands, crumble the mixture on top of the blueberries in the pan.
6. Bake uncovered for 40 minutes. The top should be slightly browned.
7. Remove from the oven. Let sit for 25 minutes, then serve and enjoy!
Photography by: Designecologis / Unsplash; Dan Morgan; Courtesy Elegant Affairs
