This weekend individuals will come together to celebrate the anniversary of our country's independence. Groups of friends and family will gather throughout the weekend to participate in the stereotypical American acts of grilling meat, lighting off fireworks, and -- most importantly -- drinking the day away. For weeks, my friends and I have been discussing possible new cocktail concoctions that we could try out this weekend to make the fourth one to remember. In light of this, I think it is best to share the list of options we have come up with in hopes of inspiring others to get creative this holiday weekend.

Here is a list of fun and interesting 4th of July inspired cocktails to try out this weekend:

*All of the beverages listed below must only be enjoyed by those over the age of 21, and please remember to drink responsibly*

1. Patriotic Celebration

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 ounces cake vodka
• 1 ounce blueberry schnapps
• 3 ounces lemon-lime soda
• 1/2 ounce grenadine

In a shaker, add ice, cake vodka and blueberry schnapps. Shake and dump everything into a cocktail glass. Add more ice until glass is filled 3/4 full. Pour sprite on top. Pour grenadine down the side of the glass.

2. Blueberry Coconut Sparkler

Ingredients:

• 3 cups fresh blueberries
• 3 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 cup coconut rum
• 2 1/2 cups ginger ale
• Ice
• Coconut Flakes (optional garnish)

Muddle the blueberries in the bottom of a medium bowl. Add the lemon juice and coconut rum; stir until well combined. Using a fine mesh strainer, strain the mixture and discard the blueberry skins. Add the ginger ale and gently stir until combined. Garnish rims of glasses with coconut flakes (optional). Fill glasses with ice and add Blueberry Coconut Sparkler.

3. The Party Starter

Ingredients:

• 2 cups tequila
• 3/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 seedless watermelon (about 6 lbs.)

Cut melon into chunks and discard rind. Purée chunks in batches in a food processor. Pour mixture through a strainer into a bowl. Pour 4 cups into another bowl; whisk in lemon juice. Save any remaining watermelon juice for another use. Pour juice mixture into 4 ice cube trays* and freeze until firm, at least 3 hours or overnight.

Whirl half the watermelon cubes in a food processor until broken up, then add 1 cup tequila and whirl until blended. Pour into a pitcher and repeat with remaining ingredients.

4. America the Beer-tiful

Ingredients:

• 12 oz. pale ale beer
• handful blackberries
• juice of 1/2 lemon
• mint for garnish

Muddle blackberries in bottom of glass. Squeeze lemon juice over blackberries. Pour beer into glass and garnish with a generous sprig of mint.

5. Stars and Stripes

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. New Amsterdam Vodka
• 1 oz. pineapple juice
• 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream

Add to a blender and blend. Pour out into a short glass. Garnish with a cherry and lime wheel.

6. Red, White, and Blue Sangria

Ingredients:

• 2 bottles dry white wine (Sauvignon Blanc is good)
• 1 cup triple sec
• 1/2 cup berry-flavored vodka
• 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 cup simple syrup (see tips below)
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 1/2 cups hulled and sliced strawberries
• 1 cup raspberries
• 1 1/2 cups pineapple chunks

Combine all ingredients in a large punch bowl or pitcher and stir well. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours. Serve well-chilled with a good scoop of fruit floating in each drink, or serve over ice.

7. Lady Liber-tea

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 oz peach liqueur
• 1 oz spiced rum
• 1 oz peach schnapps
• ½ oz vodka
• 5 oz sweet tea
• Lemon wedge

Combine all of the spirits in a large glass with ice. Stir the iced tea into the glass. Garnish with a lemon wedge.