Red, White & Blue Bites

JULY 4TH LAYERED DRINKS

All you need for these colorful beverages is cranberry-apple juice, white pina colada juice and blue low-cal Gatorade. The secret is in the sugar content. Start with the cranberry juice. Then fill the glass with ice. Next slowly pour in the pina colada juice and the blue G2 Gatorade. With a little bit of patience and lots of ice, you can really wow a crowd.

—KATRINA BAHL INKATRINASKITCHEN.COM

SMOKE BALLS

We love fireworks, so I created these sweet treats with doughnut holes (truffles work, too). Dip in melted candy coating, top with colored sugar and sprinkles, and poke in a licorice lace. Cotton candy “smoke” is the finishing touch.

—NORENE COX PARTYPINCHING.COM