With the Fourth of July just over a week away, it’s time to start putting together a menu plan for those who are going to be getting together for more than just firework-watching! What barbecue/picnic/get-together is complete without some cool, refreshing drinks?

Whether you’re wanting to keep things non-alcoholic or plan to imbibe over the holiday weekend, you can still keep a festive theme going with tons of summery, delicious drinks. (Just remember that anyone drinking the harder stuff should not be the ones setting off the fireworks!)

Firecrackers
from sofakingdrunk.com

1 1/2 oz Tequila
Cracked ice
Tonic water
Lime wedge

Pour tequila over the ice in a highball glass. Fill with tonic. Stir and garnish with lime wedge.

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4th of July Holiday Punch non-alcoholic
from garvick.com

6 c Orange juice
20 oz Frozen strawberries in syrup
2 c Cranberry juice cocktail
3 c Ginger ale

Blend together the orange juice, strawberries, and cranberry juice cocktail. Add ginger ale immediately before serving drinks. Makes 18 servings.

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July Passion Cocktail Recipe
from drinkswap.com

1 oz Strawberry Liqueur
1 oz Pineapple Juice
1 oz Passion-fruit Juice
1 oz Lemonade

Shake and strain into an old-fashioned glass three-quarters filled with broken ice. Add lemonade, garnish with a sugar-dipped strawberry, and serve.

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Red, White and Blue Shooter
from hubpages

1/2 oz grenadine
1/2 oz vodka
1/2 oz blue curaçao

“The layered effect of this shot will only work if the ingredients are poured in the given order: grenadine, vodka then blue curaçao. Use a spoon to deflect the pouring of the liquor because otherwise the force of each pour will inadvertantly mix all three liquors (and colors!) together.”

[image: flickr]

Even though Memorial Day is celebrated today, instead of on the actual date of May 30, we’ll still see many parades, patriotic celebrations and family gatherings.  Young and old will be watching if they’re not marching.  Some towns hold other festivities and recognition of the men and women who have fought to keep our country free.

When I was a youngster, veterans’ service to our country was well recognized and not criticized as we appreciated being free.  I lived during the years of World War II and knew about black-outs, bomb scares, rationing, scarcity of food, aluminum drives and everyone working together to support the military.

Image: sxc.hu

Then Memorial Day (often called Decoration Day, when we decorated the graves of the fallen military or those who had served and died later) was a time to recognize their sacrifices.

We hung the large flag from our front porch. I still have photos of our family standing in front of it with my uncle who has served in an even earlier war, World War I.

Crafters today often make items with patriotic colors and themes.  My daughter has a number of these she places around the house.  What do you make for patriotic celebrations and family gatherings?

Hope everyone is having a great Memorial Day.

Thank goodness I don’t have any fallen soldiers to remember.

I have lots of veterans though.

My dad recently retired after 30 years in the Air Force and Utah Air National Guard. (Yeah, I’m a total military brat.)

My sister-in-law served 5 years in the Army and is still, knock-on-wood, subject to recall. (End the war quickly, she just had a baby!)

My grandfather served in World War II.

Thanks so all of our soldiers. Hope your weekend has been fabulous.