There are not many days more patriotic around the world than America's Independence Day. It's a celebration marking the day in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was signed, a mere two days after the United States had said its farewells to Britain and struck out on its own.
Back in 1776, news of the Declaration of Independence didn't reach Great Britain until the 11th of August. The 10-13 August 1776 issue of the London Chronicle reported the breaking news, "Advice is received that the Congress resolved upon independence the 4th of July; and, it is said, have declared war against Great Britain in form."
Back then, the United States of America included just thirteen states - the former colonies - so the first Independence Day celebrations featured thirteen-gun salutes. Today, a fifty-gun salute is fired at noon to celebrate all fifty states of the Union.
Here at Difford's Guide, we've a soft spot for the nation that gave us Jerry Thomas, American whiskey in all its incarnations, the legend of rum runners, speakeasies, and the cocktail bar-crawling paradise that is New York City, and indeed numerous other cocktail bar-rich cities.
But, with so many American Cocktails, which one should you celebrate with? The Appletini was created in West Hollywood, California, on this very day in 1996, so would seem thoroughly appropriate. However, judging by the Interweb, layered red, white and blue cocktails seem in order. Rather than a stripy Fourth of July Shot, we suggest a Forth of July Margarita.
More American cocktails
As mentioned above, New York City is home to many of the world's most famous and regarded cocktail bars, and it also boasts a surprising number of cocktails named after its neighbourhoods.
Numerous other American cities rank highly in the world cocktail city stakes, but New Orleans' cocktails are perhaps the best known. See:
New Orleans Classic Cocktails
New Orleans Contemporary Cocktails
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