4th of July: What To Wear, Sip, & Where To Go This Summer Season

RED:

This summer, you need a bag that can travel with you from day to night. We're loving the Dr. Martens bright red patent messenger bag, sturdy enough to take you from a day on the beach to cocktails with friends at night. 

http://www.dmusastore.com/p-4278-small-school-satchel.aspx ($200)

To go with your red bag, how about a refreshing, light red punch? (pictured above) The zing of the grapefruit really works with the flowery notes of the Glen Grant whisky. And yes, tell all your friends: you can drink whisky in the summertime! 

Major's Freedom Punch 

1 1/2 cups Glen Grant ‘Major’s Reserve’ Single Malt Whisky
1 cup Campari
1/2 cup Combier Orange Liqueur

1 grapefruit (cut into slices)

2 cups Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice

1 cup Sparkling Water 

Place grapefruit wedges in a pitcher filled with ice. Add all other ingredients. Pour into a highball glass filled with ice and garnish with a grapefruit wedge.

http://www.glengrant.com/ (29.99)

GO! Check out iRock Jazz on Friday, July 6th at the Sofitel Chicago Hotel (Water Tower). Admission is free, but get there early as seating is limited. Friday's line-up includes the sounds of Nu-Soul. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the music continues with sets at 7:30, 9:30, and 11:30 p.m.

WHITE: 

Swap your white pants for a light-weight cover-up and turn heads at the pool with this EMU Australia summer scarf.

http://www.emuaustralia.com/store/women/accessories/elliot-heads-scarf.html ($69.00)

In keeping with the vibes of the Pacific, we're shaking up a Hibiki Sour, using Hibiki blended Japanese whisky.

This classic cocktail uses a bit of egg whites to add some frothy goodness (and protein) to the drink, and Japanese whisky is a major trend right now from coast to coast.

Hibiki Sour 

2 oz. Hibiki blended Japanese whisky 

1 oz. lime juice

egg whites

Angostura bitters

Shake and strain into a rocks glass. 

http://www.suntory.com/whisky/en/hibiki/ ($49.00)

GO! Grab 10-12 of your closest friends and head to Castaways at North Avenue Beach (Chicago) for your own private soiree! Rent a cabana and soak in the sun (with sunscreen, of course). On July 4th DJ Jem keeps the beats going from 1 - 7 p.m.

BLUE:

Accessories are the perfect way to add a pop of color to your look. The G-Shock: GA150A comes in a variety of summer brights but we're all about this light blue hue! Of course, if you're gonna sport this season's most multi-functional and hardcore watch, you'll need a cocktail to help you kick back. 

http://www.gshock.com/watches/?id=A2B97A88-F1DA-4A2E-BF07-C692F1370419&pline=6F3120BC-F20B-469A-A4CD-B2DC9943F085 ($130)

Using some of London's most historic spirits, the Blue Royale cocktail mixes up The King's Ginger (designed for King Edward VII in 1903) and No. 3 Gin (a London Dry gin, steeped in tradition), as well as some violet liqueur, which gives off a vibrant blue color, naturally of course. 

Blue Royale

1 oz. No. 3 Gin

1 oz. The King's Ginger Liqueur 

1 oz. Creme de Violette 

3 dashes lavender bitters

Top with Champagne

Shake all ingredients over ice. Strain into martini glass. Top with champagne and top with bitters. 

http://thekingsginger.com/ ($39.99)

GO! Tuesdays on the Terrace happens again tonight at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA).  Tonight's performance is by Joshua Abrams. Local radio personalities host Chicago jazz musicians each week during this outdoor concert series. Bring a blanket or rent a lawn chair ($5) for the garden, or reserve a table and dine on a dinner buffet ($24). Hamburgers, hot dogs, and other grilled fare are also available for purchase.

RED, WHITE & BLUE: 

For the Patriotic prepster, this Fred Perry polo is lined in a tasteful red, white and blue stripe and will look great with your Wayfarers. 

We're pairing this look with one of the most classic cocktails, a Tom Collins, which we've given a modern makeover to, by adding in some blueberries and raspberries.

http://www.fredperry.us/ ($90.00)

Patriotic Collins

2 oz. No 3 Gin 

1 oz. fresh lemon juice

3/4 oz. simple syrup

Top with club soda 

3 blueberries, muddled

3 raspberries, muddled 

Lightly muddle berries and simple syrup. Add lemon juice and gin. Top with club soda. Garnish with raspberries and blueberries. 

http://www.no3gin.com/validateage?destination=node ($39.99)

GO!  Head to Arlington Park Race Course for a day of racing and spectacular fireworks after dark! The day’s racing starts at a special post time of 3 p.m. and the racing action will run nearly seamlessly into a spectacular fireworks display that gets underway at nightfall. How Far to Austin, a rock band with a heart made of soul, will be playing live on the band stage in the Park throughout the day and into the evening!

Gates will open at 1 p.m.

The amazing fireworks display, which will run more than 30 minutes, will be synchronized to a mixture of patriotic and popular music, and will encompass the entire infield area of the racecourse.

For tickets, admission prices and general information, go here: http://www.arlingtonpark.com/tickets/fireworks