Yes, I like to make fancy cocktails at home for a few friends, but not when I'm entertaining a large crowd. I don't want to spend more than half the party shaking up cocktails or spending a lot of money on a ton of expensive ingredients. So what to do for the Fourth of July? It's hot, everyone is most likely going to get pretty darn tipsy? How about combining a fruit that defines summer with a liquor that defines America?

I first had this Bourbon & Watermelon Cocktail last year at a Fried Chicken Fest in Los Angeles. It was late August and it was really hot out. A giant trashcan of this drink was behind the bar and ready to go for the hundreds of thirsty guests. They used Knob Creek Bourbon, but of course, use whatever you have on hand. I'm a big fan of Bulleit and since all there is in this drink is bourbon and watermelon juice, treat your friends to a decent bourbon.

Each drink should be about 2oz of bourbon to every 3 oz of watermelon juice, so batch it out accordingly. I got you started below.

Bourbon & Watermelon Cocktail - Serves 20

Ingredients:

• 5 cups of bourbon
• 7 1/2 cups of watermelon juice (be sure to run the juice through a fine mesh strainer to get any large chunks out)

- In a large pitcher filled with ice, add the bourbon and juice and stir.
- Serve in a glass filled with ice, or if you're going to get fancy, strain into a chilled coupe glass.

See more at: http://www.thelushchef.com/2012/08/bourbon-watermelon-cocktail.html#sthash.exhytOJ3.dpuf