Here’s How to Throw the Ultimate SoFo Foodie 4th

Tips for an inspired holiday 

The 4th of July is here, and that can only mean one thing (besides fireworks): It’s time to dust off the grill, invite over your nearest and dearest, and indulge in the holiday with your feet up and your glass raised high. But what goes into hosting the best 4th of July this summer? A little preparation goes a long way. Here’s how to make your holiday the best one yet. 

Get Creative
Rosé is fun, but what about something a little different? One way to fully embrace the 4th of July holiday is to put a fun twist on the classics. Instead of chilled bottles of rosé, which you can find at local wine stores like Domaine Franey Wines & Spirits in East Hampton, and Herbert & Rist in Southampton, try frosé, a chilled, slushy-like ode to the color pink that will have your guests thankful for summer. (To make this festive drink, pour a bottle of rosé into a shallow pan and freeze for six hours and combine in a blender with a boiled, cooled mix of eight-ounces of strawberries, ½ cup of sugar, and the juice from two lemons.) Or, try your hand at beautiful, boozy popsicles. Rum, lime juice, banana, and coconut milk (two ounces white rum, one tablespoon lime juice, one sliced banana, 1/3 cup coconut milk) can be combined in the blender and poured into your favorite mold for a cocktail on a stick. 

Get Disposable (or Not)
Cleaning up after a gathering can be a real drag. Which is why you should head directly to The Party Shoppe in East Hampton, for all your disposable supplies. There, you’ll find party supplies in every imagined color and design — perfect for tossing out at the end of your fête. If you prefer a more upscale option, you can check out Hampton Balloon & Party Rentals in Southampton. The rental service, which offers both pick-up and delivery, has everything under the sun for your holiday meal, from table and chair rentals to glassware to bespoke balloon sculptures that will really add wow factor to your event. (One of the company’s signature sculptures, the nautical anchor, is made from cobalt blue and bright white balloons, and fully embraces the Hamptons’ nautical feel.) 

Get Snacking
At L&W Market in Bridgehampton, you can find everything you need for the most delicious party possible — and you won’t have to lift a finger. In addition to their full roster of prepared foods, baked goods, and sandwiches, L&W also produces a line of condiments that are exceptional for the backyard barbecue. Pickled local asparagus, ramps, and garlic scapes make for a tasty, snackable plate for guests, and the homemade basil oil is perfect drizzled on everything from a fresh Caprese salad to grilled asparagus. The store even sells a few dazzling, homemade mayonnaises, to up the ante on your burgers. Try the Sriracha mayo for a subtle hint of heat. And don’t forget dessert. If you don’t find what you’re looking for in Bridgehampton, Sag Harbor’s Grindstone Coffee & Donuts has party-friendly cinnamon-sugar donut holes every day, fresh from the fryer.