The Afrobella Fourth of July Menu!

It’s the Fourth of July weekend, tis the season for grillin’ and chillin’. The weather’s warm and around the world Americans are celebrating with beer and barbecue and summertime fun! I’m not sure what all my husband and I will be getting into this long weekend, but I can guarantee you that the grill will be lit, and merriment will ensue. Here’s what’s on my Fourth of July menu!

I’m trying to be healthier in what I consume, and think more carefully about processed foods. Black Girl’s Guide to Weight Loss has been a GREAT guide for me. I recently purchased the Black Girl’s Guide to Weight Loss meal plan — click here to get yours! In the meal plan Erika outlines a guide to being more cognisant of what you eat, teaches the lost art of snack fu, and shares some recipes that are off the chain yummylicious. The Juicy Lucy burger is INSANELY good, and proves you can enjoy Fourth of July faves without sacrificing your overall health. What’s a Juicy Lucy? It’s a cheeseburger with the cheese stuffed inside the burger instead of on top. So. Yummy. Makes a turkey burger rich and delicious. It’s a must for my Fourth of July menu. Click here for the recipe!

If you’re looking to grill this weekend, you definitely should check out this helpful blog post by Chef Julius so you’ll know the difference between barbecue and grilling and make the best ribs on the block. Mmmmmmm. Ribs.

Berries are THE go-to Fourth of July dessert, and if you want to do it the traditional way, consider the berry Flag Cake. It you want to make something a little less formally decorated and lighter (but still more decadent), you can serve a warm berry drizzle over angel food cake. Just take your favorite berries (can use frozen), and sautee them over low heat with a little riesling and two tablespoons of sugar. Cut thick slices of angel food cake, and drizzle your berries over the cake when you serve. Whipped cream and sprinkle of confectioner’s sugar optional (but delicious).

Bellas over age 21 — can we talk about libations for a minute? They make a fourth of July fiesta complete!

Recently I attended a wedding shower where sangria was the drink of the evening. Served in big beverage dispensers with bowls of fresh cut fruit so you could DIY, I thought it was a GREAT idea. When I make sangria myself, I prefer to use an inexpensive but delicious red or white, and if you’re in the mood to make sangria this weekend I’d recommend you check out Flipflop Wines. They’re super affordable, refreshing and great in sangrias and wine cocktails, and for every bottle of wine purchased, Soles4Souls will distribute a pair of shoes to someone in need. Win win! And did I mention that the moscato is delicious? Cheers!

One thing I love to do on a holiday weekend when we’re grillin’ and chillin’, is to whip up a pitcher of cocktails for us to enjoy while we cook (and eat!). My latest FAVORITE liqueur is X-Rated Fusion Liqueur. It’s a hot pink blend of French vodka and Provence blood oranges, plus mangos and passion fruit for good measure. And it is DELISH. I was recently sent a bottle and followed suggested X-Rated recipes, but I also enjoyed playing around with it myself and coming up with unique flavor combinations. Here are two recipes, in case you feel inspired to bring some delicious cocktails into your summer celebrations!

All American-Tini

2oz X-Rated Fusion Liqueur
2 slices of Peeled Cucumber
12 Red Seedless Grapes

Blend all ingredients with ice in a blender. Garnish with slices of cucumber.

X-Rated Fireworks

2 oz. X-Rated Fusion Liqueur
2 oz. SKYY Infusions Passion Fruit
Splash of Club Soda

I’ve made these cocktails for friends and gotten nothing but compliments!

The Afrobella X-Rated Island Chiller

2 oz. X-Rated Fusion Liqueur
2 oz. vodka of choice
pineapple juice
splash of grenadine
splash of Sprite or 7-Up at the end for a little fizz

The Afrobella X-Rated Berry Splash

2 oz. X-Rated Fusion Liqueur
2 oz. vodka of choice
muddled mixed berries — your choice of blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries
splash of Sprite or 7-Up
Garnish with strawberry and serve in a sugar rimmed glass.

Thanks to Flip Flop Wines and to X-Rated Fusion Liqueur for allowing me to taste their offerings.

Cheers, and bon appetite!

Happy Fourth of July weekend, and here’s to the summertime! How are you celebrating? See any recipes you’re dying to try?