🍹 Memorial Day Drinks & Patriotic Punch Recipes

Red, White & Blue Punch

Serves: 20-25 | Prep: 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 quart cranberry juice (red layer)
• 1 quart white grape juice (white layer)
• 1 quart blue Gatorade or blue sports drink (blue layer)
• 2 liters lemon-lime soda
• Fresh strawberries, blueberries, and banana slices for garnish
• Ice

Instructions

1. Pour cranberry juice into the bottom of a large clear punch bowl or beverage dispenser.
2. Very slowly pour white grape juice over the back of a spoon so it layers on top.
3. Repeat with the blue drink on top, pouring very slowly.
4. Just before serving, gently add the lemon-lime soda.
5. Garnish with fresh berries and fruit.

Watermelon Margarita Pitcher

Serves: 8 | Prep: 10 minutes

• 4 cups seedless watermelon, cubed
• 1 cup silver tequila
• ½ cup fresh lime juice (about 4 limes)
• ½ cup triple sec or orange liqueur
• 2 tablespoons agave nectar (adjust to taste)
• Salt for rimming glasses
• Ice

1. Blend watermelon until smooth. Strain through a mesh sieve if you prefer no pulp.
2. In a large pitcher, combine watermelon juice, tequila, lime juice, triple sec, and agave.
3. Stir well and refrigerate until ready to serve.
4. Serve over ice in salt-rimmed glasses with a lime wedge.

Classic Memorial Day Sangria

Serves: 10 | Prep: 15 minutes + 2 hours chill

• 2 bottles red wine (Merlot or Pinot Noir)
• 1 cup brandy
• ½ cup orange juice
• ¼ cup simple syrup
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 cup strawberries, sliced
• 1 cup blueberries
• 2 cups club soda (add just before serving)

1. Combine wine, brandy, orange juice, and simple syrup in a large pitcher.
2. Add sliced fruit and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is best).
3. Before serving, add club soda and stir gently.
4. Serve over ice with fruit in each glass.

Sparkling Berry Lemonade

Serves: 8

• 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 6 lemons)
• ¾ cup sugar (or to taste)
• 4 cups cold water
• 2 cups sparkling water
• 1 cup mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries)
• Fresh mint leaves

1. Make simple syrup by dissolving sugar in 1 cup of warm water. Let cool.
2. Combine lemon juice, simple syrup, and remaining cold water.
3. Muddle half the berries and stir into the lemonade.
4. Just before serving, add sparkling water and remaining berries.
5. Serve over ice with a sprig of mint.

Patriotic Shirley Temple

Serves: 1 (easily multiplied)

• 6 oz ginger ale or lemon-lime soda
• 1 oz grenadine
• Maraschino cherry
• Blueberries on a toothpick for garnish
• Ice

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Pour ginger ale over ice.
3. Slowly pour grenadine down the side — it sinks to the bottom creating a layered effect.
4. Garnish with a cherry and blueberry skewer.