Drink to independence with these 4th of July cocktails

Ah, the Fourth of July. This year a real three-day weekend (for most of us, anyway), and always a good time for fireworks, and hot dogs and beer.

So maybe you should kick it up a bit and celebrate your freedom with one of these five cocktails.

Margarita, Border Grill, Mandalay Bay (also at The Forum Shops at Caesars), 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South: The lower patio of Border Grill’s Mandalay Bay location, overlooking the pool area, will turn into a pop-up backyard barbecue for the weekend, complete with $7 margaritas.

The Patriot, Rhumbar, The Mirage, 3400 Las Vegas Blvd. South: Star shapes of Angostura bitters are stenciled atop each of these blends of American Harvest Vodka, blue Curacao, lemon juice, simple syrup and egg whites, $12.

The Fiesta Firework, Cabo Wabo, Miracle Mile Shops, 3663 Las Vegas Blvd. South: Strawberry daiquiri is layered with pina colada and blue Curacao in the traditional holiday colors, $19.

Ketel Call, Commonwealth, 525 E. Fremont St., and Park on Fremont, 506 Fremont St.: Beat the heat with this refreshing blend of Ketel One vodka, fresh lemonade and club soda, $8.

Red, White and Boom, Trevi, The Forum Shops at Caesars, 3500 Las Vegas Blvd. South: If you’re looking for something on the sweet side, consider this strawberry margarita that’s a mix of triple sec, tequila, blue Curacao, sweet-and-sour mix, fresh strawberries and lime, $7.99.

Contact Heidi Knapp Rinella at Hrinella@reviewjournal.com. Find more of her stories at reviewjournal.com and bestoflasvegas.com and follow @HKRinella on Twitter.