Nighttime Fourth of July Backyard Party

    This Fourth of July party has been rated S for sophisticated, featuring stylish lighting, stiff cocktails and sumptuous food piled high.
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    menu

    table setting with twinkle lights

    Blackberry-Ginger Sour Highballs

    Stacked BLT Salad

    Double-Decker Stuffed Portobello Sandwiches

    Grilled Strawberry Cheesecake Towers

    extras

    All-American BBQ

    Fourth of July Party

    Throw an Open-Air Party

    Easy Outdoor Lights

    tips + how-tos

    backyard lighting decorations

    tips + tricks

    Bugged Out

    Basil is a natural mosquito repellent, and much more attractive than the alternatives (spray, zappers). We nestled the plants and votive candles into stacked glass cake stands.

    Star Light

    Any twinkle lights will work, but these Aluminum Star Party Lights ($25 a strand, lamplus.com) are just right for the Fourth of July.

    Star Bright

    Sprinkle glow-in-the-dark stars ($12.50, amazon.com) in the grass. As the sky darkens, the lawn will start to gleam. More romantic than fireworks? You be the judge.