Red Cherries, White Wine, and Blueberries: Tacoma Boys’ Guide to a Fantastic 4th of July
Independence Day is upon us! If you’re looking for appetizers to wow a crowd, desserts to celebrate summer, and drinks to keep the whole crew cool, look no further. Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce have everything you need to make this a fantastic 4th of July!
The weather has warmed up, Washington is in full bloom, and our favorite summer holiday is on the way! Maybe you’ll be barbecuing in your backyard with your closest friends and family. Or perhaps you’ll spend the day out on the water with a drink in your hand and the sun on your skin. And you’ll likely end the day snuggled up somewhere under a night sky full of fireworks. However you choose to celebrate the birth of our nation, we’re willing to bet food will be a big part of it! So, whether you want to get your party started with red, white, and blue shish kebabs or end your evening with a slice of coconut cream pie, Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce have just the thing.
Tacoma Boys Guide to a Fantastic 4th of July
Struggling for ideas on what to bring? No worries! We’ve come up with a list of perfect Independence Day appetizers, drinks and desserts to make your 4th fantastic.
How Appetizing!
Having a light snack on hand between the moment guests arrive and when the main course is ready is a great way to help them feel at ease and give them something to do with their hands. And appetizers don’t have to be elaborate to be fun and impressive! These simple, easy to prepare appetizers will be sure to set a patriotic tone for your 4th of July celebration.
Patriotic Chips and Dip
While it’s not exactly brimming with originality, all this tried and true classic needs is a slight twist to make it delightfully fresh. For a patriotic vibe, start with Tacoma Boys Blue Corn Tortilla Chips. Then, add one ramekin of cream cheese and another of Tacoma Boys Salsa. Viola! You have a red, white, and blue appetizer that’ll keep your guests coming back for more. If salsa isn’t really your thing, you’ve got to try Tacoma Boys Corn Relish! Delicious on our blue corn chips, our regular tortilla chips, or all by itself, our corn relish is bursting with summer flavors perfect for kicking off your backyard barbecue.
Red, White and Blue Skewers
The concept is simple. It’s just raspberries, blueberries, and cheese on a stick. But you’ll be shocked at how perfectly the flavors complement one another, and your guests will love the colorful nod to the holiday! The key to this fun appetizer is quality ingredients. So, swing by our produce department to find the freshest blueberries and raspberries in town. Then, head over to our cheese section for some Tillamook White Cheddar Cheese. When adding your ingredients to the skewers, be sure to alternate your raspberries, chunks of white cheese, and blueberries for a patriotic vibe. For some variety, substitute squares of watermelon for raspberries or a milder cheese like Red Apple CheeseⓇ Apple Smoked Gouda in lieu of cheddar. Sure to please adults and children alike, these red, white, and blue appetizers will be a great addition to your fantastic 4th of July!
Drink up!
Are your 4th of July memories full of melting popsicles and cannonballs into the pool to keep cool? Ours too! Because, what’s Independence Day without the sweltering heat of a hot July sun? With any luck, the weather will be fine, and you’ll have a chance to serve some of these cool and refreshing drinks!
Summer Berry Sangria
There’s something about a white sangria that just screams “summer celebration.” Even better, this recipe for Mixed Berry Sangria from Taste of Home is–you guessed it–red, white and blue! It calls for a white sparkling wine, so check out our extensive wine selection and take your pick. We recommend 14 Hands “Brut” Sparkling Wine (made right here in Washington State). Be sure to serve this light, bubbly sangria with a spoon, so your guests can enjoy the yummy berries when the drink is gone!
Washington Hard Apple Cider
Hard apple cider is great for barbecues, boats, and backyards. And nobody does it quite like Washington! At Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce, you’ll find an incredible variety of ciders to suit your taste. We recommend One Tree Cider’s “Staycation.” Bursting with mango and pineapple, it’s a vacation in a can! Or, try Whitewood Cider Co.’s Strawberry Rhubarb Shrub Cider Cooler. Made with Washington apples, this cider is an ideal balance of sweet and sour. Both One Tree and Whitewood are here in Washington, so you’ll be supporting local businesses while enjoying some of the best ciders in the PNW.
Sweeten the Deal!
Hopefully by now, you and your friends will be stuffed to the brim with sliders, brats, melons, and potato salad. But if there’s one thing childhood taught us, it’s that there’s always room for dessert! And there’s no better way to end a fantastic 4th of July than with something sweet.
Independence Day Ice Cream
It wouldn’t be a proper 4th of July without ice cream! Give your sundaes a holiday twist by keeping your toppings on theme. Start with vanilla ice cream (we recommend Umpqua, a local favorite). Add FavoritⓇ Sour Cherry Preserves Red Cherries from our jam section. Then, top with blueberries and whipped cream! For additional toppings, consider white chocolate chips, blackberries, or strawberries. Nothing goes better with a firework show than a good old fashioned ice cream sundae!
Coconut Cream Pie
Do you love the idea of pie on the 4th of July, but aren’t in the mood to bake over a hot oven for hours? Have no fear, we have you covered. Simply swing by our freezer section and grab a Cyrus O’Leary’s Coconut Cream Pie. Tired of red, white, and blue? Neither are we! So, serve with Tacoma Boys Blueberry Preserves and drizzle with strawberry sauce for the perfect Independence Day dessert.
Have a Fantastic Fourth of July with Tacoma Boys!
Whether you’re hosting a celebration and need a little support, or you’re looking for a quick something to bring to the party, Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce are your one-stop shop for all your Independance Day needs. Swing by one of our locations today for the quality ingredients you need to make this 4th of July truly fantastic!
