Cast aside your regular cocktails in favor of something a little more inventive this summer. To gear up for this month’s Minnesota Monthly Fine Spirits Classic spirit sampling event on July 24, we asked a few participating mixologists for this summer’s hottest 4th of July drinks. Cheers!
Corn ‘n’ Oil from Bittercube
(Pictured above)
1 oz. Celebration Aquavit
3/4 oz. Falernum
2 dashes Bittercube BlackStrap Bitters
Crushed ice
Black Seal Rum, to taste
Lime wheel
Build first three ingredients in Collins glass and stir with crushed ice. Float rum on top and garnish with lime wheel.
Lazy Old Fashion from 45th Parallel Distillery
2 1/2 parts New Richmond Rye or Border Borbon
1 part Madison Avenue Orangecello 

4 to 8 dashes bitters

1 splash soda water
Shake bourbon, Orangello, and bitters and pour into glass over ice. Top with soda water and garnish with cherries and orange slices.
Schladerer Raspberry Mojito from Niche Wines and Spirits
1 1/2 oz. Schladerer Himbeergeist Black Forest Raspberry Brandy
1/2 oz. fresh-squeezed lime juice
6–8 raspberries
2 t. white cane sugar
2–3 mint sprigs
Ice
Lemon-lime soda, to taste
Pluck mint leaves from stems and gently rub between palms. Put leaves and other ingredients, excluding soda, into a tall glass, add a few ice cubes, and stir well. Top with more ice and tlemon lime soda; add mint sprig and raspberry garnish.
