Hi nightlifers – I’m sure everyone is gearing up for the weekend ahead, ready for beers, barbecue and bootleg fireworks (just kidding, officer). I found some great ideas for celebrating in style this Independence Day.

First, Natalie from The Liquid Muse blog offers a great recipe to celebrate with friends at home, while honoring one of the nation’s most famous ladies. It’s tasty and simple and looks pretty with blue or colored sugar rimming the glass.

The Betsy Ross

3 ounces Fre Chardonnay (or whatever you’ve got on hand)
1 ounce white cranberry juice
1/2 ounce lime juice
3/4 ounce blueberry syrup

Garnish:
Watermelon cocktail rimmer
2 blueberries with 1 small white marshallow in-between them on a skewer

Rub the rim of a martini glass with a lime wedge, holding the glass upside down. Then, dip the whole rim of the glass into the watermelon cocktail rimmer. Set aside. Pour Fre Chardonnay, white cranberry juice and lime juice into a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice, then shake vigorously. Gently strain the mixture into the rimmed martini glass. Drizzle the blueberry syrup into the drink, allowing it to settle at the bottom of the glass. Lay blue-and-white fruit & marshmallow skewer across the red-rimmed martini glass.

Next, Colleen at cocktails.about.com has compiled a long list of fun and easy cocktails online, including classics like the Cape Codder, Imperial and the Sapphire Martini. She’s also got funky ones playing off the red, white and blue color scheme like the Red Carpet (using Oval vodka and pomegranate schnapps … which I am very, very excited exists) and the Air Force One (with Hpnotiq liqueur and vodka).

Also worth visiting for weekend plans is an entire blog dedicated to summer fun at about.com that highlights recipes, entertaining tips, and other summertime subjects. Check it out at summerfun.about.com.