4th of July Patriotic Holiday Party Buffet Ideas

Red, White and Blue Hostess Foods, Cocktails, Design and Decor

Jun 9, 2009
Gretchen Martin

Red Strawberries, White Banana Slices, Blueberries - Gretchen Martin

Be the hostess with the mostest and celebrate with festive and inspired ideas for your Independence Day, Memorial Day and Election Day gatherings.

Entertain in style for national American holidays with creative party planning.

Flowers With Explosive Firecracker Feel

Red, white and blue is the color palette for patriotic parties. But when it comes to flowers, try mimicing the explosion of fireworks using a variety of starburst flowers in multiple colors, shapes and sizes. Varieties include Wildflowers, Sunflowers, Dahlias and Daffodils. Add a sparkle spray of lights for accentuated evening flare.

Rock the Buffet With Naturally Colorful Foods and Design

Assemble a fruit tray with fresh strawberries, banana slices and blueberries. Add a side of Cool Whip or Whip Cream with a stabilizer such as Whip It (to keep the cream fresh all day or night) for an extra punch of white and flavor.
Include a bowl of assorted red, white and blue corn tortilla chips with red salsas and white and blue cheese dips.
Create a cheese platter with Red Pepper cheese, Monterey Jack and Blue Cheese slices.
Garnish the table with an upside-down Caprese salad: tomato slices with buffalo mozzarella on top and basil leaves on the bottom. Drizzle with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper.
Don’t underestimate camouflage tablecloths, napkins, etc. to contrast the American flag colors. Other decorative accents can include star shapes, bells, elephants and donkeys, gun cannons, scrolls, banners, eagles, American classic car replicas, handmade items, diner style tchotchkes, American memorabilia, quilts, wigs, Statue of Liberty, Uncle Sam and DC monument momentos and more.

Nothing Says American Food Like a Barbecue

The backyard barbecue is the epitome of American culture. Not only is an old-fashioned BBQ probably the best bet for a red, white and blue party, but it is almost expected. Make a barbecue stand out with an explosion of flavor. Try Bulls Eye Barbecue sauce on pork ribs and other meats. Add ground mustard, a secret ingredient for many award-winning BBQs. Other secrets include injecting meats with flavor concoctions and herb infusions. For a more simple spruce up, decorate meats with fresh or dried herbs direct from the garden. Rosemary is ideal for meats and potatoes.

Grill tomato, onion and eggplant on kabobs for vegetarian friends and as a side dish.

Play with burger garnishes by assembling red ketchup and white mayonnaise condiments in adjacent containers. Position tomato and swiss cheese slices in an alternating pattern on a platter to mimic the stripes of the American flag.

Use festive toothpicks with confetti tops in assorted colors alongside flag picks.

Alcoholic Drink Cocktails Recipes and Ideas

Red White and Blue Martini Bar

Cosmopolitan

2.5 oz. Vodka

1 oz. Cranberry Juice

1 oz. Cointreau or Triple Sec

Lime twist and garnish

Martini

2.5 oz Vodka or Gin
1 or 2 drops Dry Vermouth
Garnish with lemon or green olives

Blue Martini

2.5 oz Vodka or Gin
1 or 2 drops Dry Vermouth
2 dashes Orange Bitters
2 dashes Blue Curacao

Red and White Wines

Merlot
Cabernet
Chardonnay

Non-alcoholic Drinks and Ideas

Juices for Kids and Adult Mixers

Grape juice
White apple juice
Cranberry juice or Cran-flavored juices including Cran Blueberry, Cran Cherry and Cran Raspberry
Pomegranate Juice

Sodas — Play With Soda Can Colors

Pepsi cans
Coke cans
Hansens Blue Sky Natural Soda
Hansens Natural Sparkling Sleek (sleek silver cans in assorted flavors)
Blue Energy, Blue Throttle Demon Energy Drink or Jolt Blue

Intellectual and Thoughtful Activities for Serious Celebrations

Have a group of friends take turns reading out loud the Declaration of Independence, Constitution or Bill of Rights manuscripts available at the National Archives and Records Administration. If reading is not your thing, create your own oversized document and have party guests sign their signature to reenact the historic event and as a keepsake guestbook.

Have an Election Day Pool using electoral vote counts in a grid for candidates. Guests buy a box and whoever gets the closest to the final electoral vote counts wins the jackpot.

Create a memory wall for Memorial Day to allow guests to leave open notes and photos of the ones they lost and love. Supply small pads of paper and pens beside the wall and allow space for visitors to peruse the thoughts and pictures honoring their loved ones.

Play a state and capitals game. Give out a prize to the person who knows the most United States capitals. For particularly intellectual crowds, have guests guess state Senators and representatives for more prizes.

For the not-so-serious, have a pool party Cannonball Contest!

Don’t Let Them Desert Without Dessert

Bid farewell with an assortment of cheesecakes with blueberry and strawberry syrups or cream cheese toppings or try offering strawberry and vanilla ice cream with blue sprinkles. Scoop into holiday inspired Sundae cups.

Stock Up on Legal Fireworks

Check your local fire department’s website to brush up on current fireworks laws in your area. Many states and counties allow friendly state-approved fireworks that may include spinners, handheld items and even cone and base fountains. Have plenty extras on hand. Add a professional fireworks show nearby and partygoers will be requesting to be on your guest list again and again for years to come.