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Ask A Pittsburgh Expert: Fourth Of July Cocktail Recipes

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On the Fourth of July, your regular go-to beer and wine cooler just won't cut it when it comes to delivering big flavor and incorporating a little fun into your party. Celebrating Independence Day in the blistering heat of July calls for the perfect keep-cool cocktails. Toast to the red, white and blue with these three easy-to-make Fourth of July cocktail recipes created by Art of Mixology's Steven Kowalczuk. Each has its own unique flair of fruity flavor as well as traditional summertime beverages that are sure to place them among your Fourth of July favorites.

Steven Kowalczuk
Various Locations
Art of Mixology
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
www.artofmixologyusa.com

Steven Kowalczuk is the mastermind behind The Art of Mixology's three-hour hands-on cocktail course. Since 2008, Kowalczuk has been sharing his cocktail techniques and recipes, as well as the history behind many of his drinks, via his Art of Mixology Educational Series. His award-winning cocktail concoctions have been featured in national publications, including National Restaurant News, InStyle magazine and Nightclub and Bar Magazine. These features have helped Kowalczuk earn his reputation among the county's top 100 mixologists. In addition to his role as owner and educator with Art of Mixology Educational Series, Kowalczuk is the executive producer of Cocktail Chef Productions.

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Grilled Pineapple Martini

Pineapple is the quintessential fruit of summer and you get plenty of it in Kowalczuk's grilled pineapple martini that combines Pineapple Schnapps with pineapple juice for a tangy and delicious burst of flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz. Bourbon
  • .75 oz. Pineapple Schnapps
  • .50 oz. Liqueur 43
  • Splash of pineapple juice
  • .50 oz. simple sugar

Directions:

  1. Shake and then strain into a martini glass.
  2. Garnish with a thinly sliced half-moon piece of grilled pineapple. To do this, start by cutting the bottom and top off the         pineapple. Slice down the center from the top to the bottom. Lay the pineapple on its side and slice to a 1/4-inch thickness.
  3. Lightly oil the grill top to prevent sticking and then lay all of the pineapple slices in the same direction.
  4. Flip the slices in order once the grill marks are established.
  5. Add your pineapple slices to a skewer in an in-and-out sewing motion before spreading the pineapple slices open a little and laying them on top of the rim of the glass.

Related: 8 Skinny Summer Cocktails Under 200 Calories

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Rosemary Lemon Drop

This refreshing rosemary lemon drop is made from everything good about summer: freshly squeezed citrus, garden-inspired flavor and invigorating lemonade. This drink is ideal for incorporating your homegrown herbs and fruits.

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz. vodka
  • .75 oz. Cointreau
  • .75 oz. rosemary lemonade (Take your favorite lemonade and stick several rosemary sprigs in it for 2-4 hours before using.)
  • .75 oz. rosemary simple syrup (Stir and chop rosemary leaves, put them in the basket of a coffeemaker and run a pot—not a full pot—of rosemary tea. Once done, add white granulated sugar until it's thick like a syrup; keep stirring until clear.)
  • Squeeze of fresh lemon

Directions:

  1. Rim the martini glass with sugar.
  2. Shake and strain ingredients into the martini glass.
  3. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary.
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Berry Lemon

Sweet blue raspberry and tart lemons are the perfect pair in this summery cocktail. Its light ocean blue color is sure to put you in the mood for a pool party or backyard barbecue.

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz. UV Blue Raspberry Vodka
  • .75 oz. lemon juice
  • .75 oz. simple syrup (sugar and water syrup)

Directions:

  1. Fill with ice and top with lemonade.
  2. Garnish with your choice of something fun.

Related: Best Cocktail Bars In Pittsburgh

Jessica Wasik lives in Pittsburgh where works as a full-time figure skating coach sharing her passion with todays generation of young skaters. A graduate of Robert Morris University with a degree in English Studies, Jessica is also a contributing writer for Allegheny West Magazine. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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