For many of us in the United States, the Fourth of July serves as an all-encompassing hallmark of summer. Picnic blankets laid over sheaths of vivid green grass, the blissful air of tranquility, sun-kissed skin tainted white by layers of sunscreen, the carefree giggles of children thrashing around in the water, and of course, the exuberant bursts of red, white and blue fireworks illuminating the night sky.
In preparation for the celebration of American independence, we’ve put together a few different recipes that will make your holiday nothing short of a memento of what makes summer so great. These recipes are not only simple, but they’re perfect for summer with refreshing flavors that capture the laidback, jovial nature of the Fourth of July. Light and fresh, these recipes will also pair perfectly with all the traditional Fourth of July meals that you know and love.
Here’s to a relaxing holiday spent in the sun surrounded by those closest to you- enjoy!
Blackberry Lemon Gin & Tonic
This honeyed drink is perfect to sip on as you lounge on your Explorer Wings Sofa while watching the fireworks.
Photo Credits: Jonathan Stiers, The Stiers
~ Makes 4 cocktails
What You’ll Need
- 12 blackberries
- 20 mint leaves (Extra for garnish)
- 2 lemons (Extra for garnish)
- 1/4 cup simple syrup
- 12 ounces gin
- Tonic water
- Ice
Directions
- Combine 3 blackberries, 5 mint leaves and juice from 1/2 of lemon and 1 tablespoon of simple syrup in each of your four cocktail glasses, preferably high ball glasses.
- Muddle ingredients until combined and berries and fully crushed.
- Fill each glass to the top with ice.
- Add 3 ounces of gin and stir.
- Top with tonic water and garnish with a slice of lemon, blackberry and mint leaves.
Fig & Melon Salad
Wouldn’t this eye-catching salad be beautiful placed atop your Perpetual Teak Olympus Dining Table?
Photo Credit: Not Without Salt; Clive Daniel Home
~ Serves 4-6
What You’ll Need
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3 Tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon champagne vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon heavy cream
- Salt and lots of pepper
- 1/2 head red lettuce, washed and torn into bite-size pieces
- 1/2 small tuscan melon peeled, seeded and cubed or sliced
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 5-7 fresh, ripe figs quartered
- Feta
Directions
- For the vinaigrette: combine the lemon juice, olive oil, honey, champagne vinegar, heavy cream and salt and pepper in a small bowl and whisk to combine.
- Toss the melon, lettuce and red onion in a bowl along with the vinaigrette.
- Put the dressed greens on a platter and finish with the fresh figs and crumbled feta.
Peach, Honey & Thyme Lemonade Popsicles
Perfect for satisfying both adults and children, these extraordinary popsicles will be devoured by your friends and family as they sit back on your Millenia Armless Sections.
Photo Credit: Golubka Kitchen
~ Makes 10 popsicles
What You’ll Need
- 1 bunch thyme – divided
- 3 cups purified water
- About 1 1/2-inch piece ginger – peeled and roughly chopped
- 3 large or 5 small ripe and sweet peaches – pitted, plus more whole slices for decoration
- 1 cup juice from about 5 organic lemons
- 1/4 cup honey
Directions
- Soak wooden popsicle sticks in water for a few hours or overnight.
- Reserve a few sprigs of thyme for decoration and place the rest into a medium saucepan. Muddle with a wooden spoon to release oils. Add 2/3 of the ginger and smash it with the back of a spoon. Add water and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to a simmer and let simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat, cover and let cool to a room temperature.
- Combine peaches, remaining ginger, lemon juice and honey in a blender, blend until smooth. Strain puree through a fine mesh strainer over a pitcher or bowl. Pour the ginger and thyme-infused water through a strainer into the puree, discard cooked thyme and ginger. Stir to combine. Chill well and serve over ice as a lemonade or make popsicles.
- Fill the popsicles molds with the lemonade, 1/2 mold at a time. Add peach slices and thyme sprigs, if desired, then fill the rest, making sure to leave some room for expansion. Cover with the lid and insert soaked wooden sticks. Place into the freezer and let freeze completely. Briefly run molds under hot water before removing popsicles.
Have a happy and safe Independence Day
from all of us at Seasonal Living!