Here at Charles Communications Associates, the Fourth of July is about a lot more than Independence: it's a holiday all about food, fireworks, festivities and, of course, libations. This week on All the Swirl, the CCA team shares our favorite food and beverage pairings to revel in this long weekend.
Kimberly Charles
@cbrulee @MacGeraghty
Food: All beef Giants hot dog served up at AT&T Park, home of three time world series champions #SFGiants
Beverage: A Tommy's Margarita made with 100% agave Tequila, preference El Tesoro Platinum
Story: Yes, it's a classic, but we love our team in San Francisco. The 4th means baseball to me. The SF Giants are a collection of personalities and incredible talent, dubbed "freaks" by more staid baseball announcers, but we love our boys for their athleticism and unabashed originality. I grew up in Hawaii, the South and Europe, in towns where there weren't major baseball teams, so it wasn't until I moved to San Francisco that I caught the fever. We love nothing more than cheering for our boys in orange and enjoying the array of dishes at AT&T Park. Our city is so serious about food that each year our food critics review the new culinary offerings at or near the park. You can slum it with a 100% Beef Hot Dog or go very upscale with the Porcini donuts from Rich Table.
Alex Fondren
Food: Med-rare BBQ cheeseburger, hot off the grill with mustard, lettuce & onion
Beverage: Aperol Spritz
Story: Probably not a classic pairing, but both scream summer to me. And the color is closer to the actual Fourth of July red than most red wine :) Plus beer somehow seems less appealing when imbibing in a bathing suit.
HILLARY LYONS
Photo courtesy of mamaknowshercocktails.com
Food: Alton Brown's angel food cake
Beverage: Strawberry shrub cocktail
Story: To me, the Fourth of July means angel food cake. While my family used to buy one from Safeway (don’t get me wrong - it’s pretty darn good), nowadays I prefer to make my own. That fluffy perfection warm out of the oven, slathered in whipped cream and fresh strawberries is synonymous with summer. While sparkling apple cider used to be my pairing, I prefer something sweet tart, but equally refreshing: a strawberry shrub cocktail, preferably in slushie form.
Anthony Salazar
A Spanish, a German and a Filipino celebrating their first 4th of July in Lake Tahoe. #blessed
Food: Dry rub ribs with grilled bacon
Beverage: Sparkling cucumber mojito
Story: First of all, I love my meat. It may not be the ideal pairing but this will always remind me of my very first Fourth of July celebration last year. I got down and dirty with my ribs and bacon (as you must), yet kept it classy with my Sparkling Cucumber Mojito. This is the reason I can never be vegan. #meatsweats #basicbruh
Jules Lydon
Photo courtesy of cookeatpaleo.com
Food: Steak and grilled zucchini with watermelon
Beverage: Black iced tea with a lemon wedge
Story: Fourth of July isn't complete without watermelon and iced tea. The steak and zucchini may not be the most typical, (I'm looking at you hamburger...) but it's the most personally nostalgic. My ideal fourth of July includes my dad grilling these on our barbecue, surrounded by family and my adorable cousins.
SAM FOXWORTHY
Food: Grilled cheese
Beverage: Syrah
Story: On the Fourth, my family prepares simple and notoriously American dishes: hamburgers, hotdogs, chili...But my all time favorite is the grilled cheese. My dad's preferred fillings were mozzarella, fontina, and gruyere (not to mention bacon and a fresh tomato slice). A flavorful Syrah with hints of fig and pepper would pair nicely with the richness of the cheeses and bacon (my own addition).
Greer Shull
Food: BBQ
Beverage: Red wine blend
Story: Almost every year my family celebrates the Fourth of July by doing a big BBQ with family and friends. Nothing goes better with home made tri-tip, chicken, and garlic bread than a big, red wine blend!
All the Swirl is a collections of thoughts and opinions assembled by the staff and industry friends of Charles Communications Associates, a marketing communications firm with its headquarters in San Francisco, California. We invite you to explore more about our company and clients by visiting www.charlescomm.com.