Looking for a refreshing summer cocktail to celebrate Independence Day? The Daiquiri’s a classic—simple, delightful, and honestly, it comes together in minutes. You get rum, lime juice, and sugar, and suddenly you’re the hero of the July 4th cookout.

This Independence Day Daiquiri puts a patriotic spin on the old favorite. You get layers of red, white, and blue—think strawberry puree and blue curaçao. Serve these beauties in clear glasses, and the American flag colors will pop. Your guests will definitely notice at the barbecue or while you’re waiting for fireworks.

Rum cocktails have deep roots in American culture, so the Daiquiri just fits for the Fourth. Plus, that sweet-tart flavor? It goes so well with burgers, hot dogs, or whatever you’re grilling up.

Independence Day Daiquiri Cocktail Recipe

Here’s a red, white, and blue layered daiquiri that’s practically made for Fourth of July. The colors are festive, the flavors are summery, and it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

John

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Serving Size

Equipment

Blender
Cocktail shaker

Jigger or measuring cup
Tall glasses (hurricane or collins style)
Long bar spoon

Straws
Ice cube trays
Fine-mesh strainer

Ingredients

Base Ingredients:

6 oz white rum
3 oz fresh lime juice
2 oz simple syrup

Red Layer:

1 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 cup ice

White Layer:

1 cup coconut cream

1/2 cup ice

Blue Layer:

1 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 oz blue curaçao

1/2 cup ice

Garnish:

Fresh blueberries
Fresh strawberries

Small American flags optional

Instructions

Start with the blue layer: Blend blue curaçao, blueberries, 2 oz rum, 1 oz lime juice, and ice until smooth. Pour into glasses, filling about a third of each. Pop them in the freezer for 15 minutes to let things set up.
Next, the white layer: Rinse out the blender. Blend coconut cream, 2 oz rum, 1 oz simple syrup, and ice until creamy and smooth.

Layer it up: Take glasses from the freezer. Using the back of a bar spoon, slowly pour the white layer over the blue. That spoon really helps keep the colors separate. Freeze again for 10 minutes.
Now the red layer: Clean the blender (again, sorry). Blend strawberries, 2 oz rum, 1 oz lime juice, 1 oz simple syrup, and ice until smooth.
Finish the layers: Pull glasses from the freezer and gently pour the red layer over the white, using the back of your spoon.

Garnish: Top with fresh berries and, if you’re feeling festive, a tiny American flag.

Notes

Patience is everything here. Let each layer freeze a bit before adding the next—otherwise, you’ll lose those sharp stripes. If the colors bleed, it’ll still taste good, but the look won’t be quite as Instagram-worthy.

Want a booze-free version? Swap rum for white grape juice, and use blue fruit punch or a blue sports drink instead of blue curaçao.

You can make the layers ahead and stash them in the freezer. Just assemble when you’re ready to serve.

These melt fast in the heat, so serve right away or keep your glasses chilled until go time.

Throwing a big party? Prep the layers in batches and set up a DIY station so everyone can make their own. It’s actually kind of fun to watch people try to get those perfect stripes.

Must Have Ingredients

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Tasting Notes

The Independence Day Daiquiri is bright and super refreshing—kind of perfect for a hot July day. You get sweet, sour, and fruity all at once, and it somehow works.

The first sip hits you with that tart lime, then the sugar smooths things out. Classic daiquiri vibes, basically.

But the real twist comes from the berries. Blueberries add a mellow sweetness and a bit of earthiness, while strawberries bring a juicy, summery punch. And the colors? They’re just fun.

The white rum adds subtle vanilla and tropical notes, but doesn’t overpower the fruit. If you can, use a decent rum—it really does make a difference.

Texture: When shaken right, you get a silky mouthfeel, almost creamy. Those tiny ice crystals are what make it so refreshing.

Aroma: You’ll notice fresh berry scents with a hint of lime and rum. It’s a pretty inviting combo.

Serving Temperature: Serve it ice-cold. As it warms up, the flavors get bolder, but you lose that crisp, refreshing edge.

The finish is clean and crisp—doesn’t overstay its welcome, so you can go back for another sip without feeling overwhelmed. Honestly, it’s hard to have just one.

Substitute

If you’re out of white rum for your Independence Day Daiquiri, don’t panic. There are a couple of decent options that’ll keep your cocktail plans alive.

Rum Alternatives:

Light rum (silver rum) — honestly, this is your best bet if you have it.
Aged rum — it’s a bit richer, maybe even more interesting, if you’re into that.
Cachaça — Brazilian sugarcane spirit, so not quite the same, but it works in a pinch.

Vodka — okay, it’s not rum, but you’ll get a vodka daiquiri out of it.

Lime Juice Replacements:

Bottled lime juice (if you must, it’ll do in a hurry).

Lemon juice — just use about 3/4 as much as you would lime.
Lime cordial — but you’ll want to cut back on the sugar elsewhere.

Sugar Alternatives:

Simple syrup (classic and easy).
Agave nectar — kind of trendy, but it works.
Honey syrup — just mix equal parts honey and warm water so it blends in.

Maple syrup — it’s different, but honestly, not bad.

Try tossing in some frozen berries if you want a burst of color. It’s festive and, hey, it’s Independence Day—why not?

No cocktail shaker? Grab a mason jar with a tight lid. Shake it up with ice and strain it out with a fine mesh strainer.

If you want to go non-alcoholic, look for zero-proof rum alternatives. Or, you could mix apple juice with a splash of almond extract to sort of mimic that rum vibe.

Independence Day Daiquiri Cocktail Recipe