RAISE A GLASS to 250 Years: A Celebration Menu for America's Semiquincentennial

Jul 2
3 min read

Two hundred and fifty years deserves more than fireworks. It calls for a table filled with good food, great company, and recipes that celebrate the flavours of an American summer. Brought to you by Cape Fear Living, this America 250 celebration menu features a vibrant heirloom tomato and burrata salad, bourbon-glazed ribeye, sweet corn kissed by the grill, and a berry shortcake worthy of the occasion. Designed for lingering conversations and joyful gatherings, each recipe captures the spirit of summer entertaining. Pair it all with the signature America 250 Jubilee cocktail, raise a glass, and celebrate a milestone that honours the past while toasting the future.

America's 250 Celebration Menu

Summer's best ingredients deserve a place at the center of the table. Crisp produce, smoky grilled favourites, sweet seasonal berries, and a handcrafted cocktail come together in this collection of recipes designed for unforgettable meals.

Heirloom Tomato & Burrata Salad with Basil Oil

Serves 6

Ingredients

3–4 large heirloom tomatoes, sliced

2 balls burrata

Fresh basil leaves

2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

1 tbsp basil pesto or basil oil

Flaky sea salt

Freshly cracked black pepper

Balsamic glaze (optional)

Method

Arrange tomato slices on a large platter. Tear burrata over the tomatoes. Scatter basil leaves over the top. Drizzle with olive oil and basil oil. Finish with sea salt, pepper, and a light drizzle of balsamic glaze.

***Heirloom Tomato & Burrata Salad with Basil Oil***

Grilled Bourbon-Glazed Ribeye with Sweet Corn & Herb Butter

Serves 6

Ingredients

For the steaks

6 ribeye steaks

Salt and pepper

2 tbsp olive oil

Bourbon glaze

½ cup bourbon

¼ cup maple syrup

2 tbsp Dijon mustard

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 clove garlic, minced

Simmer until slightly thickened.

Corn

6 ears fresh corn

4 tbsp butter

Chopped parsley

Chives

Sea salt

Method

Grill steaks to your preferred doneness. Brush with bourbon glaze during the last few minutes. Grill corn until lightly charred. Toss corn with herb butter. Serve with grilled asparagus or roasted baby potatoes.

***Grilled Bourbon-Glazed Ribeye with Sweet Corn & Herb Butter***

Berry Shortcake with Vanilla Whipped Cream

Serves 6

Ingredients

6 shortcakes or buttery biscuits

2 cups strawberries, sliced

1 cup blueberries

1 cup raspberries

2 tbsp sugar

1 tsp lemon zest

1½ cups heavy cream

2 tbsp icing sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

Method

Toss berries with sugar and lemon zest. Let sit for 20 minutes. Whip cream with icing sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Split each shortcake. Layer berries, whipped cream, and the top of the shortcake. Garnish with extra berries and fresh mint.

***Berry Shortcake with Vanilla Whipped Cream***

The Jubilee

A 250th birthday calls for something festive, elegant, and unmistakably American. A signature cocktail that nods to the nation's colors without being overly sweet.

Ingredients

2 oz bourbon (a classic American spirit)

¾ oz fresh lemon juice

½ oz maple syrup

2 dashes Angostura bitters

2 oz chilled sparkling wine or dry sparkling cider

A handful of fresh blueberries

Fresh raspberries

Lemon twist and a sprig of rosemary, for garnish

Method

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the bourbon, lemon juice, maple syrup, and bitters.

Shake well until chilled. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass or coupe. Top with sparkling wine or sparkling cider. Garnish with a few blueberries and raspberries, a lemon twist, and a sprig of rosemary.