Ask A Las Vegas Expert: Fourth Of July Cocktail Recipes

The Daily Meal Staff|June 19, 2014 7:00 am EST

Fourth of July in Las Vegas means fun, fireworks and, of course, cocktails. A drink in hand on a Las Vegas rooftop is the best way to beat the intense July heat. Dan Marohnic, corporate mixologist for Park On Fremont, has put together a few recipes that incorporate fresh summer ingredients. These cocktails are all about the muddling – a term for crushing fresh fruit. Serving the drink in glass mason jars gives them a casual summer feel while enabling you to see all of the colors in play. A muddler, crushed ice and a cocktail strainer are all essential tools in creating these Fourth of July concoctions.

Daniel Marohnic
Park On Fremont
506 Fremont St.
Las Vegas, NV 89101
(702) 834-3160
www.parkonfremont.comPark on Fremont is a downtown gastropub designed to resemble a backyard garden. From the eclectic wall coverings to the vintage jukebox, Park On Fremont appeals to hipsters and businessmen alike. The menu includes inventive items like a fried chicken and waffle sandwich, bacon wrapped corn dogs and deep fried Girl Scout cookies. Park On Fremont keeps the party going all week long with $2 tacos and $1 Coronitas on Tuesdays, $5 craft cocktails for happy hour (Mon.-Fri. from 4 to 7 p.m.) and bottomless mimosas for Sunday brunch. Park On Fremont kicks it up another notch with live music on the patio every Thursday night.

Peach Fuzz Smash. Courtesy of Park On Fremont (Credit, Anthony Mair)

Peach Fuzz Smash

Ingredients:

1 shotBourbon Whiskey
4-5Peach Slices
1 1/2 Tbsp.Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
1 1/2 Tbsp.Simple Syrup
4-6Fresh Basil Leaves
Garnish: Basil Leaf/Peach Slice

Directions:

In a tall glass, break up the peaches with a muddler. Add the Whiskey, lemon juice and simple syrup. Add the basil leaves and tap them lightly with the muddler. Be careful, over muddling herbs will give the drink a bitter taste. Put concoction in a mixing glass with ice, shake vigorously and strain over fresh ice into a mason jar. Garnish with basil and a peach slice.

Kumquat Ye Faithful. Courtesy of Park On Fremont (Credit, Anthony Mair)

Kumquat Ye Faithful

Ingredients:

1 ShotLondon Dry Gin
1 1/2 Tbsp.Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
1 1/2 Tbsp.Simple Syrup
3-4 Kumquats
Top: Club Soda
Garnish: Fresh Mint Sprig/Kumquat

Directions:

Slice kumquats and muddle in a tall glass. Add gin, lemon juice and simple syrup. Add mixture into a mixing glass, shake and strain over ice into a mason jar. Top off with a little club soda, fresh mint and a few slices of kumquat.

Busted Cherry Photo Anthony Mair Copy Ask A Las Vegas Expert: Fourth Of July Cocktail Recipes

Busted Cherry. Courtesy of Park On Fremont (Credit, Anthony Mair)

The Busted Cherry

Ingredients:

1 ShotBrazilian Cachaca
HandfulMuddled Cherries
2 Tbsp.Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
1 1/2 Tbsp.Simple Syrup
Garnish: Lime Wheel/Plump Cherry

Directions:

Place cherries in a tall glass and muddle. Add cachaca, lime juice and simple syrup. Shake vigorously with ice and strain over ice into a mason jar. Garnish with a cherry and a lime wedge.

Christa Emmer is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in broadcast journalism. She has experience as a news writer, editor and producer in television news. Christa has been a Las Vegas resident for more than 20 years. Follow her on twitter @ChristaEmmer. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.