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.