Nostalgic for your childhood? Want to add a little pizzazz to your festivities on the Fourth?

Personalize the fireworks by serving Pop Rock drinks to your guests.

Who can forget Pop Rocks, the candy that "explodes" in your mouth? For maximum effect with every cocktail, dampen the edges of your glass with lemon juice and then dip the rims into a plate filled with the Pop Rocks of choice. The Tropical Blue adds a patriotic note to the palate when paired with any red-colored drinks. Here are suggestions for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Rose Wine Spritzer

  • ½ cup ice cubes
  • 5 ounces rose wine, chilled
  • 3 ounces club soda, chilled
  • 2 watermelon balls, for garnish

Place ice in a 10-ounce cocktail glass. Add wine and club soda. Garnish with melon balls; serve immediately in Pop Rock-rimmed glasses.

Based on Martha Stewart's recipe.

Vodka and Cranberry

  • 1 ounce vodka
  • 4 ½ ounces cranberry juice
  • 1 dash of lime juice

Prepare an old-fashioned glass with Pop Rocks and fill halfway up with ice. Pour all the ingredients into glass. Enjoy!

Bellini (with Zip)

  • 3 ounces prosecco sparkling wine
  • 2 ounces fresh white peach puree

Mix and serve in a champagne flute, its rim covered in Pop Rocks.

Sangria

  • 1 bottle red wine
  • ¼ cup brandy
  • ¼ cup orange flavored liqueur (recommended: triple sec or Grand Marnier)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • ½ orange, thinly sliced
  • ½ lemon, thinly sliced
  • 1 unwaxed apple, cored, and cut into thin wedges
  • 1 bottle sparkling water, chilled

Combine everything but the sparkling water in a large plastic container or glass pitchers. Cover and chill completely, 1 to 2 hours. When ready to serve, add the sparkling water and pour into glasses with Pop Rock rims.

Sangria recipe courtesy of Emeril Lagasse.

Easy Poppin' Ice Tea

  • 2 quarts of water
  • 8 tea bags (your favorite red colored tea)
  • Sugar (or not) to taste

Fill a pitcher (or mason jars) with water and add tea bags. Cover and place in refrigerator for 8 hours. Serve in ice-filled glasses rimmed with Pop Rocks.