Cheers to the Fourth of July in Vermont!

The nation’s birthday, Independence Day, is celebrated in nearly every city and town in the Green Mountain State with fabulous fireworks displays, traditional parades, historic commemorations and summertime fun draped in a sea of red, white and blue bunting.

Vermont’s state capital also o ers a full day of Fourth of July events where residents and visitors can spread their blankets on the State House lawn, bring chairs, and enjoy the Independence Day parade, live music and dance, and spectacular reworks. The perfect cocktail to cap this day would be:

The Firecracker

BY ROBERT COOK

No matter where you find yourself in Vermont this Fourth of July Weekend, chances are you will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the festivities. There are also some great cocktails that can be savored in the name of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Here are just a few of the state’s Fourth of July celebrations and a variety of festive beverages.

The Fourth of July celebration in Williston is always a joy for all attendees. It includes a parade, a running competition, live music performances and more. The icing on the cake is the city's Independence Day Celebration Fireworks, a majestic display that illuminates the sky and gives everyone a sight worth remembering. A great cocktail to complete this Independence Day would be:

1 ounce grenadine

1 ounce citron vodka

1¼ ounces blue mix*

Garnish: lemon wheel

* Blue mix: add ¼ ounce blue curaçao to 1 ounce water and stir to combine.

Add the grenadine into a highball glass over crushed ice. Add the citron vodka. Slowly and carefully layer the blue mix over the top. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

1-inch cubed watermelon chunks

1 ½ ounces aged rum

½ ounce triple sec

½ ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed

½ ounce simple syrup

/6 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Garnish: lime wedge

In a mixing glass, muddle the watermelon. Add remaining ingredients and ice, and shake until well chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Another great event to really get into the Independence Day spirit is to celebrate the 151st birthday of Vermont’s own President Calvin Coolidge. At noon, the Vermont National Guard leads a march to lay a wreath from the White House at the president’s gravesite. The event and activities are free; admission is charged to tour the historic buildings. A ne cocktail to toast President Coolidge is:

The Gin Rickey

2 ounces gin

½ ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed Club soda, to top

Garnish: lime wedge

Fill a highball glass with ice and add the gin and lime juice. Top with club soda. Garnish with a lime wedge.

fresh blueberries

1 ounce blueberry vodka

¼ ounce absinthe

¼ ounce fresh lemon juice

¼ ounce simple syrup

1 dash raspberry brandy Ginger beer, chilled, to top Garnish: sugar cube

What better way to mark Independence Day than to attend a reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Battle of Bennington monument. This victory over the British led by Gen. John Stark in August 1777 lead to a greater victory later at Saratoga, which many historians believe was the turning point of the Revolutionary War. The commemoration continues to downtown with the ringing of the “Bennington Bell.” To say “cheers!” to liberty, raise your glass with this indomitable spirit: syrup,

In a shaker, muddle the blueberries. Add the vodka, absinthe, lemon juice and simple syrup, plus ice, then shake until well chilled. Pour (unstrained) into a highball glass. Drizzle with the raspberry brandy and top with ginger beer. Garnish with one sugar cube.