Celebrate Your Freedom & More This Fourth of July
The right drink in your hand can truly make an Independence Day get-together memorable―and we have you covered with refreshing summer sips that are sure to fit in with any spread.
Where to Celebrate
Looking for a cool view to take in the fireworks? Take a look below for the hottest places and ways to see the fireworks!
Gitano Island
Looking for a tropical getaway for Fourth of July weekend but can’t make it out of the city? Well, look no further!
Gitano Island is back and better than ever for their second season on Govenor’s Island! Gitano Island is a spectacular, waterfront restaurant and beach lounge set in a 27,000-square-foot palm tree jungle with twin wood dining pergolas, beach cabanas and sweeping city views.
Just a 5 minute ferry ride from downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn, this tropical oasis of lush greenery and bohemian brio will bring New Yorkers to the delectable delight of Tulum without ever leaving the concrete jungle!
This season, Gitano has a new menu from chef Adam Maldonado, bringing Mexican cuisine to New York City. New items include homemade tortillas for Guacamole and Short Rib Birria, Grilled Octopus Zarandeado, Duck Carnitas Huarache, Black Truffle Sopes, and more. In addition, the new menu will feature GITANO Caviar, with sopes, a chipotle créme fraiche and traditional accompaniments.
Arlo NoMad
This year, New York City’s 47th annual Macy’s 4th of July fireworks display will take place over the East River, with five barges centered all across Manhattan. Arlo NoMad is centralized among the city’s eclectic shopping, must-see attractions and red-hot culinary scene on the eastern side of Midtown.
On the 31st floor is ART NoMad, a rooftop lounge boasting jaw-dropping views of the iconic skyline where guests can partake in a classic NYC Fourth of July experience: fireworks, food, drinks, and good vibes. From 8pm-11pm, guests can enjoy a 3-hour open bar, American food buffet (hamburgers and cheeseburgers, hotdogs, waffle fries, & more), and views of fireworks on the East River. First come first serve open seating. Tickets can be purchased here. Ticket price ranges from $100–175.
Watermark — Seaport District, NYC
Watermark, the 10,000 square-foot outdoor bar and restaurant located at the end of Pier 15, is hosting a July 4th All Day BBQ Beach Bash at 12:00 pm, 3:00 pm, and 6:00 pm by palm trees and cabanas on the water, featuring unobstructed views of the Brooklyn skyline and a 40-ft long bar. See details below:
Featuring a rotating lineup of DJs
Tropical cocktails and fresh-off-the-grill bites
The daytime session runs from 12 pm-3 pm, the afternoon session runs from 3 pm — pm, and the evening session runs from 6 pm — Midnight
Walk-ins and reservations are welcome
Tickets start at $25/person; Reservations can be made here
The Rockaway Hotel + Spa — Rockaway Beach, Queens, NY
Celebrate Fourth of July weekend at The Rockaway Hotel + Spa, an urban beach getaway for surfers and cultural enthusiasts alike. Ideal for day trippers looking to purchase a day pass, or overnight guests, visitors can experience the buzzy outdoor heated pool surrounded by loungers and cabanas for rent, followed by sunset DJ performances on The Rooftop. The hotel will host American rapper Action Bronson on Sunday, July 2nd, where he will play his greatest hits like Baby Blue, Solid Plan, Imported Goods, and more.
Mezze on the River — Battery Park City, NYC
Located directly on the waterfront along the Hudson River, the restaurant boasts two outdoor terraces, which double as private cabanas, and patio seating with direct river views, giving guests an unobstructed view of the passing boats in the nearby North Cove Marina, in addition to the Jersey City 50 star fireworks.
To celebrate, Mezze will be open for brunch (11:00 am — 4:00 pm) and dinner (5:00 pm — 11:00 pm) on July 4th, with three dinner seating options at 5:00 pm, 7:00 pm, and prime time pix fixe at 9:00 pm. Mezze is offering a la carte dining for the whole day until 8:00 pm when they switch over to the prix fixe menu, which includes Greek Salad, Fried Calamari, Squid Ink Truffle Lobster Pasta, Whole Grilled Branzino, and more.
Rosewood Washington, D.C.
Rosewood Washington, D.C. is the best place to stay for Fourth of July. Creating a memorable experience for this year’s holiday is a July 4th Celebration atop the hotel’s rooftop bar CUT Above. Guests can indulge in Chef Andrew Skala’s family-style menu while having the best views of the city for the fireworks. Welcomed with champagne, the three-course menu showcases the best ingredients and resources from local purveyors. Dishes include a Jumbo Lump Blue Crab Salad with grapefruit, avocado, basil, and pink peppercorn; ‘Cote De Beouf’ Bone-in Ribeye accompanied by Argentinian chimichurri; and end the night with refreshing Strawberry-Watermelon Popsicles.
The hotel also offers a variety of accommodations for all party sizes staying for the holiday weekend, including six one-of-a-kind standalone Townhouses that offer an entirely residential experience unavailable anywhere else in Washington, providing unmatched privacy coupled with elevated guest services for the perfect getaway within the city. Each suite is approximately 1,000 sq. ft. in size and boasts private entrances, dedicated living spaces, fully equipped kitchens, and private back courtyards.
Weekend-Long Fourth of July Celebration The Gabriel Miami
Start your Fourth of July festivities early at The Gabriel Miami for an incredible celebration filled with fireworks, poolside relaxation, irresistible drinks and scrumptious food specials.
From Friday, June 30, to Tuesday, July 4, the hotel will offer guests savory menu options such as the BBQ Pork Sandwich, BBQ Chicken Sandwich, South Beach Burger, Hot Dog and Corn on the Cob. Specialty cocktails like the Mescal Sunrise and Bobby will also be available. On the Fourth of July, the hotel will feature an all-day happy hour with $2 off beer and wine and $3 off all cocktails. The rooftop pool will stay open until 10 p.m. so guests can enjoy the Bayfront Park fireworks display, set to begin at 9 p.m.
“Best Seat in the House” Views at The Elser Hotel
The Elser Hotel, now the #1 hotel in Miami on TripAdvisor, is just a half-mile from Bayfront Park, which will have special Fourth of July music performances, bounce houses and a diverse selection of food trucks. Book a room at The Elser and pick a spot on the expansive sundeck to catch the epic fireworks show, or enjoy from the comfort of your hotel room’s balcony.
Salute the Veterans at The Balfour Hotel
The Balfour Hotel in Miami Beach’s South of Fifth neighborhood welcomes all U.S. veterans to celebrate this Fourth of July. The hotel is offering a 20% discount on all F&B for those who present a veteran ID. Other weekend specials include a Bucket of Beer + Wings ($39). BBQ Sliders ($18) and Sliders ($14). The hotel will also host a fireworks watch party on its rooftop from 8–10 p.m. with an all-you-can-drink bar ($30 per person).
Cocktails to Enjoy
Nothing says liberty — like a wonderful cocktail to make you forget the day-today issues of our country today, so gather your friends for a 4th of July party that will be sure to have them feeling liberated!
Tequila Don Julio Spicy Margarita
Ingredients
1 1/2 oz Tequila Don Julio Blanco
1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
1/2 oz Agave
Muddled Jalapeno
Method
Muddle jalapeno in a shaker.
Add remaining ingredients to the shaker including Tequila Don Julio Blanco, fresh lime juice and agave; add ice and shake well.
Strain contents into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
Garnish with a salt rim and lime wheel.
Cierto Aire Libre
Ingredients
1½ oz Cierto Tequila Private Collection Reposado
½ oz Fresh Lime Juice
½ oz Mayan Honey Syrup
1 oz Champagne
Method
Add all ingredients (minus Champagne) and shake with ice until chilled. Strain into a flute glass, top with Champagne and garnish with a lemon twist.
MEXICAN NEGRONI
Ingredients
1oz Volcan De Mi Tierra Tequila Blanco
1oz Campari
1oz sweet vermouth
Method
Pour all the ingredients into a mixing glass. Add ice into the mixing glass. Stir until chilled. Fill rocks glass with ice. Strain the liquid into the glass. Strain the liquid into the glass using a julep strainer. Garnish with an orange or pink grapefruit wedge
The Zesty One
Ingredients
1.5oz Belvedere Vodka
2/3oz Lime Juice
1/3oz Sugar Syrup
Method
Add all ingredients to cocktail shaker and shake over cubed ice. Fine strain into chilled coupette. Garnish with a lime zest.
THE ORANGE HIGHBALL
Ingredients
2oz Glenmorangie Original
1/2 an Orange
2oz Tonic water
2oz Soda water
Orange wedges, to garnish
Method
Juice half an orange.Then fill a highball glass with ice cubes and thick wedges of orange. Finally, pour all your ingredients over the top and enjoy.
Martini & Rossi Americano
Ingredients
1 oz Martini & Rossi Riserva Speciale Bitter
1 oz Martini & Rossi Riserva Speciale Rubino
3 oz Soda water
Orange wedge
Method
Fill a highball glass with ice cubes. Pour in the Rubino and Bitter, top up with soda water. Stir gently, then garnish with an orange wedge. Enjoy!
BACARDÍ Miami Vice
Ingredients
1.5 oz BACARDÍ Superior or Coconut Flavored Rum
1.25 oz Coconut Cream
1.25 oz Pineapple juice
1 cup of (crushed) ice
Method
Combine the Piña Colada ingredients in a blender and blend into a slushy consistency. In a separate blender combine the Strawberry Daiquiri ingredients and blend into a slushy consistency. Pour both blended cocktails side by side or layered into a single glass.
Bombay Sapphire Sunset & Tonic
Ingredients
50 mL Bombay Sapphire Sunset
Premium Tonic Water (Preferably Fever-Tree)
Orange wheel
Star anise
Method
Fill a copa or balloon with cubed ice. Squeeze an orange wedge over the ice and discard. Pour 50 mL of Bombay Sapphire Sunset. Top with chilled tonic water. Add your orange wheel garnish. Finish with star anise. Stir and enjoy.
Dewar’s Lemon Wedge
Ingredients
1 ½ oz Dewar’s 12 Year Old
3 oz Club soda
2 oz Lemonade
Method
Combine all ingredients over ice in a Highball glass. Stir to incorporate. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a “golf tee” cocktail pick.
Rosarita
Ingredients
1 ½ parts Avion Silver
½ part Fresh Lime
½ part Fresh Lemon
¼ part Rosé
½ part Agave Nectar
Method
Combine all ingredients
Shake vigorously
Strain into a wine or rocks glass with crushed ice
Garnish with lime wedge
The Mint Julep
Ingredients
2 oz of Rémy Martin VSOP
0.50 oz Sugar Syrup
Method
Add 8 mint springs an the sugar syrup to a mixing glass
Add crushed ice and 2 oz Rémy Martin VSOP
Shake until frosted, then pout the cocktail into a rock class
Garnish with a mint sprig
Fourth of July Fizz
Ingredients
1 cup blueberries
2 1/2 cups Ocean Spray® Cran•Grape® Grape Cranberry Juice Drink
2 cups blueberry vodka
2 1/2 cups ginger ale
2 1/2 cups club soda
1 lime, juiced
Method
Smash blueberries into the bottom of a drink pitcher with a large spoon. Add the rest of the ingredients into the pitcher, stir and serve over ice.
Tip: Freeze extra juice in advance into ice cube trays to add to the pitcher to keep it cold without diluting.
For one serving: Add 2 tablespoons of blueberries to a glass and smash with a spoon or fork. Add in 2 ounces of blueberry vodka, 1/4 cup of the juice, 2 ounces of ginger ale, 2 ounces of club soda and squeeze the juice of 1 lime wedge.
