The 4th of July is a fun holiday for a lot of reasons. The weather is ideal in many areas of the country right now and this year the festive day falls on a Monday, making a three-day weekend a natural occurrence for many people. The extra time off from work creates an ideal situation for neighborhood parties, backyard get-togethers, and celebrations of all sorts.

You may be throwing a party of your own or attending one (or more!) so if you are looking for a few great ideas for food, décor, and beverages, you’ve come to the right place.

4th of July Food Means BBQ

For many food lovers, the hot months of summer mean- it’s BBQ time and the 4 ^th of July is an ideal opportunity to try your hand at some crowd-pleasing recipes. Celebrate independence with a simple store-bought sauce served along-side pulled pork or shredded chicken for an easy to handle option. Keep the kitchen cool by using your crock pot to cook the meat.

Here is a delicious and easy recipe to follow:

• Simply put 4-6 pounds of boneless skinless chicken breast or pork roast in a large crock pot, add a can of Coke, Pepsi, or Dr. Pepper, put the lid on, and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

• Remove the meat, let it cool, and pull it apart with two forks.

• Remove all of the leftover juice except ½ cup, place the meat back into the crock pot, set it to “keep warm” and enjoy!

Provide a mild BBQ sauce as well as a spicy variety. Don’t forget the ketchup, mustard, and pickles. Add a few packages of store-bought sandwich buns and guests can serve themselves.

If you assign side dishes to a few food-loving friends, you’ll have a feast fit for this festive occasion!

Treat your guests to fun 4 ^th of July decorations

Take every opportunity to inject a celebratory spirit into your 4 ^th of July celebration:

• Add a festive look with decorations at the dining table or buffet. Easy additions like a red or blue vase, flowers in the 4^th of July colors help set the right atmosphere.

• Placing small flags and sparklers wrapped with ribbons in the same color scheme add a charming patriotic touch.

• Fill a white plastic tub with a bag of ice and add berry-flavored and cherry flavored sodas in shades of blue and red. Nestle the drinks in before the party starts and let the guests help themselves!  

                                                                                      [Credit: Cost Plus]

• Keep your guests comfortable in the hot sun by providing a relief station complete with bug spray, sunscreen, small red, white, and blue towels, and bottles of water situated in ice. Place these things together in a festive tub in the shade near some comfortable seating to encourage rest and relaxation.

• Adding pillows and blankets to your outdoor patio set inspired by the 4^th of July color scheme help set the mood.

Make a signature drink just for the 4^th of July

For a cocktail option your guests will talk about all year long, try this signature 4 ^th of July drink:

Fourth of July Cocktail

Makes about 10 cups

• Mix 1 ¼ cups watermelon schnapps with 2 ½ cups cranberry juice.

• In a separate container, mix 1 ¼ cups tequila, 1 2/3 cups simple syrup, the juice of one lemon, the juice of one lime, and 1/3 cup blue curacao.

• Put both containers in the refrigerator or on ice until they are chilled through.

• Before assembling drinks, stir each container.

• Fill 10 glasses ½ full with ice, pour 2-3 inches of the cranberry juice mixture into each glass, top with the blue curacao mixture, and garnish with watermelon wedges.

For a kid-friendly non-alcoholic option:

• Simply place frozen blueberries and strawberries in a cup.

• Add ice and top with lemonade or a clear soda like 7-UP or Sprite.

Food, friends, family, and fun don’t have to be stressful! Keep it simple and stick with red, white, and blue for a holiday that will make everyone feel happy and free! Enjoy !!

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