Easy 4th of July Entertaining ideas to make your celebration charming!
4th of July Entertaining Ideas
It’s almost America’s birthday week! We celebrate birthday “weeks” in our house, so I guess we’ll do the same for our good ol’ USA! She’s good to us, so we’ll be good to her. Shoot, now I’m thinking I need to schedule a beach clean-up day or something!
Anyway, if you’re hosting a 4th of July BBQ or having a few friends over for dessert and fireworks I have a delicious Red, White and Blue Velvet Cake recipe (adapted from my fave Cooks Illustrated) and one heck of a good bourbon whiskey punch.
What really says American more than red velvet and whiskey? Okay, maybe beer and McDonald’s, but we’ll skip those for now! Sooo, below are some festive and easy entertaining ideas for hosting a 4th of July par-tay! Be safe and enjoy!
Forget individual cocktails, make a punch! I highly doubt you want to be in your kitchen mixing cocktails while everyone’s watching the fireworks. Instead whip up this crazy good bourbon punch to serve!
A few tips: Don’t add ice until a few minutes before guests arrive and make an extra batch to keep in the fridge for refills!
Buy festive serving ware and details.
Don’t make everything! Seriously, if you’re hosting a dessert party just choose one or two desserts that will stand out (like our Red, White and Blue velvet cake!) and one spiked punch recipe. Then just buy the rest, like the 4th of July cupcakes, cookies, ice cream, fruit, etc. Make it easier on yourself.
Recipe for our Red, White and Blue Velvet Cake
If you’re cooking for everyone too, break out the Crock-Pot! Ohhh yes, the one and only Crock-Pot. Make a big batch of chili to cook all day and then serve chili dogs and chips. Does it get any better? ha!
Make individual containers of 4th of July party poppers. I spruced mine up by adding some red, white and blue crinkle paper I bought at the Dollar Store.
Flowers are EVERYTHING! Really, they add a lot to the decor of a party. Just go to your local mart or grocery store and pick up some red and white blooms. I bought the white peonies and red tulips for $9… a deal I tell you.
Switch it up and serve giant cake slices in these awesome galvanized serving baskets. They’re the perfect size for ice cream (no spills!), cake and fresh fruit!
Bring the ice cream out when cutting the cake and let everyone serve themselves. I actually went to Baskin-Robbins (we have one right by our house) and bought pints of blue and red sorbet and a really cool Spider-Man ice cream which is red and blue swirl… insert Romeo’s happy face.
To make the presentation nice, I transferred the ice cream into my beloved Weck jars. Also, place some waffle cones out for those who want to pass on cake and go for a triple scoop cone! It’s the 4th, let’s celebrate!
And don’t forget the old-fashioned ice pops for the kiddos! Red, white and blue all the way!
Most important tips of all…. BE SAFE, have fun and relax!
More 4th of July Ideas You’ll Love
Watermelon Themed 4th of July Party
Creating 4th of July Flower Arrangement
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American Whiskey Punch
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup orange juice, fresh squeezed
- 1 lemon, just the peel
- 3 cups black tea
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 4 cups cranberry juice
- 1 1/2 cups bourbon whiskey
- 1/4 cup maraschino cherry syrup
Instructions
- Combine the lemon peel with the sugar and muddle together in a large bowl.
- Combine all of the ingredients and mix.
- Add in ice right before guests arrive.
sharon says
i didnt know you love “cooks illustrated”!!! ive seriously thought that i should send you a recipe for blonde brownies that i got from cooks!!! its so good! that cake sounds awesome too! happy 4th!
sharon says
Okay i will send it on at some point. You will love it! I cant believe the 4th is almost here!