This time tomorrow, I'll be heading for the runway at the tiny airport near our beach house in North Carolina, ready to touch down for a weekend of family, sunshine, craziness, and of course, food. We do a traditional cookout on the Fourth - cheeseburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, and corn on the cob. I personally think there's nothing better after a long day on the beach. You can keep it simple like we do, or make your All-American meal as fancy as you want (sriracha corn or bacon bourbon baked beans, anyone?) Or go the surf route instead of the turf and enjoy some good fresh lobstah. According to my personal philosophy, a meal is not complete without dessert, so finish it off with a yummy shortcake topped with the perfect American color-combo: white whipped cream and red and blue berries!
And of, course, how could I forget something to wash it all down with? Crack open one of Budweiser's American-themed bottles to be extra festive (yes, even I will drink Bud Heavy for the occasion). Or celebrate with another summer staple - watermelon. Soak it in tequila, dip it in salt, and you've got a portable margarita! You can sip a strawberry daquiri on the beach, or sit on the front porch and watch the Forth of July parade with some Front Porch Lemonade - a yummy mix of bourbon and ginger and lemonade. (And y'all know how much I like my bourbon.)
Above all, remember this: eat, drink, and be aMERIcan.
CHEESEBURGER / GRILLER LOBSTER / BUDWEISER / STRAWBERRY DAQUIRI / CORN ON THE COB / STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE / FRONT PORCH LEMONADE (WITH BOURBON) / TEQUILA WATERMELON / BACON BOURBON BAKED BEANS
