#CriticalVote Recipes by NerdsVote!

Our friends Courtenay Taylor and JP Karliak dropped by CR Land with a few friends for a special NerdsVote-centric episode of our most random show, #EverythingIsContent. Courtenay curated these special patriotic recipes below to get you energized to review those ballots and head off to the polls.

STARS AND STRIPES SANGRIA

Ingredients

Strawberries, sliced
Blueberries
Pineapple, cut into star shapes
2 bottles dry white wine
1 cup Triple Sec
½ cup berry-flavored vodka
½ cup fresh lemon juice
½ cup simple syrup

Instructions

Combine the ingredients in a large pitcher and stir. Chill in the refrigerator for at least four hours.

Adapted from a recipe by Elegant Affairs and published by InStyle.

INDEPENDENCE ICE CREAM FLOATS

Ingredients

Jones Blue Cream and Cherry sodas
Vanilla ice cream
Clear cups
Red and blue striped paper straws

Instructions

Let guests pour their favorite color soft drinks over scoops of vanilla ice cream. Striped paper straws add opposition and contrast but still coexist happily!

Recipe via Let’s Dish Recipes.

RED, WHITE, AND BLUE KABOBS

Ingredients

Strawberries
Raspberries
Watermelon
Bananas
Blueberries
Blackberries

4 ounces cream cheese, cut into chunks, 1/2 a block
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

Assemble the kabobs by dicing the fruit into bite sized chunks and threading them onto skewers/sticks.

To make the Honey Cream Dip use an electric mixer to combine the cream cheese, heavy cream, honey and vanilla. Start on low and then gradually increase the speed to avoid splatters. Whip for several minutes until thick and creamy.

Recipe via 100 Days of Real Food.