Tomorrow is Independence Day in the US, so I’m celebrating with a red, white, and blue cocktail. Other than that, I’ll be enjoying some fireworks and the company of friends and family. What more could you want out of a holiday, right? Happy July Fourth!

Berry Smash Cocktail
For the garnish, alternate raspberries and blueberries on a bamboo skewer. Freeze for several hours or overnight.

Using a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon, mash 4 blueberries, 4 raspberries, two 1/2″ lime wedges, and 1 Tbsp simple syrup* in a cocktail shaker 4–5 times just to release juices and oils. Add 1/4 cup vodka. Strain into an Old Fashioned glass. Fill halfway with crushed ice, add sparkling water, then mound more crushed ice on top. Garnish with berries.

*Simple syrup: Dissolve 1 Tbsp sugar in 1 Tbsp boiling water