Wednesday, May 4, 2011

July 4 Party Ideas - Drinks

Obviously, for a July 4 party, you’ll want most things to be red, white, and/or blue, right? If you’re having a meal, getting white, red, and blue tablecloths, napkins, plates, and cups is easy.  You can find them just about anywhere. Have you thought, however, about including some patriotic beverages?
An easy way to do this is to make red and blue ice cubes. Just buy some red soft drink, like Hawaiian Punch, along with some blue soft drink. Hawaiian Punch makes a blue raspberry, and I think Hi-C has a blue drink, too. Fill some plastic ice trays with the drinks and freeze – some blue and some red. Fill clear plastic cups with half red ice cubes and half blue ice cubes, and cover them with Sprite, 7UP, or ginger ale. Not only is this attractive, it also serves a functional purpose. In most parts of the United States, the weather is hot in July. Since most July 4 events are held outdoors, the ice cubes in drinks are going to melt rather quickly. If the ice cubes are the traditional kind made of water, they’ll dilute the drinks. But you won’t have to worry about this with the colored ice cubes because they’re also flavored!
You can do this the other way around, too. Use red or blue punch for the beverage, and make your ice cubes out of a clear soft drink. Freeze blueberries or raspberries inside the ice cubes for a whimsical effect.
Another way to add some colors to drinks is with fruit garnishes. Top the drinks with strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries, or use a partially split large strawberry on the rim of the cup of glass. Or pass a straw through the strawberry before placing it in the glass. For a really neat star-shape garnish, slice some star fruit and use them on the rims of glasses.

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