Independence Day is synonymous with one of Downtown’s favorite F-words: food.
Want to make your Fourth of July barbecue a success? Downtown Magazine has selected our favorite red, white and blue themed recipes from celebrity chef and author Claire Thomas of The Kitchy Kitchen to keep celebrating like it’s 1776.

Photo: Courtesy of Autumn Communications
Cool off from the city heat with a refreshing margarita- and since it’s watermelon, you can pretend it is healthy!
Ingredients: For 1 Margarita
-3 ounces jalapeño infused tequila (or regular repesado tequila)
-3 tablespoons lime juice
-1 teaspoon agave nectar
-1/2 cup chopped watermelon
-1 handful ice

Photo: Courtesy of Autumn Communications
Make your tastebuds explode just like a firework with this fruity refresher.
Ingredients:
-7 fresh basil leaves
-1 lemon half, quartered lengthwise
-3 blackberries
-1 tablespoon simple syrup
-2 ounces bourbon
-crushed ice

Photo: Courtesy of Autumn Communications
Celebrate America’s birthday with the most American thing of all: a hot dog wrapped in bacon.
Ingredients:
-2 tablespoons oil
-1 large yellow onion, sliced
-1 to 2 jalapeños, sliced
-4 hot dogs
-4 slices of bacon (thinner cuts work best)
-4 hot dog buns
-1 tablespoon butter, softened for easy spreading

Photo: Courtesy of Autumn Communications
SHRIMP BURGER WITH WAKAME SLAW
Try this twist on an American Classic to keep your guests guessing.
Ingredients: For 4 Burgers
-1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped basil
-1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
-1 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce
-1 inch lemongrass stalk
-3 tablespoons shallots, finely chopped
-1 inch of fresh ginger, peeled
-2 cloves garlic
-large pinch salt and pepper
-1 1/2 pounds of large shrimp (16-20 per pound size; peeled and de-veined), roughly chopped
-1/2 tablespoon of corn starch
-2 teaspoons vegetable oil
Ingredients: Toppings
-4 burger buns
-1/4 cup mayonnaise
-sriracha
-wakame salad

Photo: Courtesy of Autumn Communications
What is more American than a flag on a cake?
Ingredients: For one 9 x 13 Cake
-1 9 x 13 inch sponge cake (recipe below)
-1 recipe whipped cream cheese frosting (recipe below)
-2 half pint blueberries
-1 half pint raspberries
-1 half pint strawberries
-1 half pint currants or plums or other read fruit
Ingredients: Sponge Cake
-1 3/4 cups cake flour, sifted then measured
-2 1/4 cups sugar
-3/4 teaspoon salt
-1 1/2 cup eggs whites (about 9 large eggs)
-1 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
-1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
-1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
-1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest, packed
-9 egg yolks
-1/3 cup water
Ingredients: Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting
-3 cups heavy whipping cream
-16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature and soft
-1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
-3 cups powdered sugar
-2 teaspoon vanilla extract
-By Audrey DuVall
The post Fourth of July Themed Recipes appeared first on Downtown Magazine NYC.