July 4th on Cape Cod

It's technically impossible not to love this day on Cape Cod. It's got that open ended beach party vibe. Our most comprehensive guide we can offer has five simple ingredients:
1. A few good friends or fellas...

2. Light Up

Here's the day for fearless grilling on the beach or backyard, try one or all these 21 blissful burgers. Or for a more exotic twist these grilled lobster are beyond imagination fabulous.

Grilled Lobster with Cilantro Chili Butter
http://www. 21 best burger recipes from epicurious.com

3. A variety of festive beverages....some that make you tipsy(mojitos are always a top pick) and some that give you a quick boost and make you feel good all over. This Rosewater-flavored strawberry almond milk smoothie from Have Cake Will Travel.com is divine.

DIY Recipe: Cover strawberries with unsweetened almond milk, add a little amaretto-flavored agave, and a drop or two of rosewater. Voila. Sip up. (These ingredients are easier to find than you think. Try your local super market or health food store. Of course, we like Chatham Natural Foods and Dennisport Natural Market.)

4. For a touch of nostalgia, don't forget about the classic icebox cake. This dessert is a destination in itself. It's like being home when you were 5 years old.

The Smitten Kitchen

Icebox Cake
Adapted from The Magnolia Bakery Cookbook

3 cups heavy cream
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 (9-ounce) packages chocolate wafer cookies [or, make your own!]
Unsweetened cocoa (or chocolate shavings)

In a large bowl, beat cream, sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form.

On a flat serving plate, arrange 7 cookies side by side in a circle, keeping 1 cookie in the center.

Spread with 1/2 cup whipped cream, making a 7-inch circle. Repeat with remaining cookies and cream, making 11 layers of cookies and ending with a layer of cream (there will be a few cookies left over). Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

To serve, dust top lightly with cocoa powder or chocolate shavings.

5. Lastly, Fourth of July just wouldn't be.... without a funny parade and flat out fireworks. Check out this link for the local happenings. Cape Cod Fireworks and Parades

Happy 4th!

(photos courtesy of 123photo.com, hulton/getty,havecakewilleat.com, the smittenkitchen.com)