Make your Fourth of July party truly sparkle with these simple drink additions and kitchen gadgets.

Edible Flowers

Save time on frozen drinks and fancy cocktails by adding an edible flower to your sparkling wine. Make your ordinary glass of prosecco more festive with a wild hibiscus flower. You can find wild hibiscus flowers in syrup at Southern Season at University Place.

Wild Hibiscus Flowers in Syrup from Southern Season

Homemade Popsicles

For a simple dessert, make homemade ice pops. Make them in advance and you’ll have a freezer full of sweet treats for your guests. Use fresh pureed fruit like blueberries, cherries, rasberries and watermelon. Try infusing your popsicles with alcohol for the adults, sangria popsicles anyone?  You can find rocket pop molds at Kitchen Works at University Place and start making your favorite ice pop recipe in a flash.

Rocket Pop Molds from Kitchen Works

Jalapeno Popper Grill Pan

If you love jalapeno poppers but hate the mess then check out this pepper grill pan from Sur La Table. This pan comes with a chili corer to make prep extra easy.

Cocktails with Rock Candy

Dress up your cocktails with a red, white or blue rock candy stirrer.  Keep your cocktail simple to really make the colors pop, stick to vodka or gin mixed with club soda, tonic water or sparkling water. If you can’t find rock candy you can rim your glass with classic pop rocks.

Rock Candy
Oriental Trading

Nonstick Grill Mats

After all that cooking the last thing you want to think about is cleaning up.  Save time and a big mess with a 100 percent nonstick grill mat. These mats are resusable and dishwasher safe. No matter what type of grill you are using these mats make clean up quick and easy.

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