Carmen's Kitchen: 4th Of July Special: Paint The Drink Red, White And Blue

4th Of July Special: Paint The Drink Red, White And Blue

Posted on Wednesday, July 4, 2012 | By: Carmen Anderson

The Fourth of July brings countless celebrations from coast-to-coast across the US. During this festive time, we stop to think about America’s birthday, and give thanks for our freedom, and in my case, a green card! It is also a perfect dessert holiday, just think of all the fresh fruit possibilities! Add a little red, white and blue to your 4th of July menu with this drink and salad. They are simple enough to be a crowd-pleaser, and tasty enough to be on the menu. Let Freedom Ring!

Red White and Blue Piña Colada

You can make this 4th of July style cocktail with or without alcohol. You can do this with any drinks of any color. Bottoms up!

Ingredients

Sobe Piña Colada drink (white) / Bacardi piña colada (for alcoholic version )
Fruit Punch Gatorade (Red)
Blueberry G2 (blue)

Preparation

Fill cup with ice all the way to the top.
Pour the liquid with the highest sugar content into the cup (In this case, the piña Colada), filling it approximately 1/3 full. For the second layer, pour the second drink with the lower sugar content SLOWLY through the ice to fill approximately the second third of the glass full. It'll mix a little but it separates out again almost entirely.
Finally, pour the sugar-free or lowest sugar drink SLOWLY through the ice

Berry salad with Goat Cheese

Use seasonal berries for this refreshing salad, matching tangy goat cheese with sweet berries, lettuce and walnuts

Berry Goat Cheese salad with chicken

Ingredients

Salad

1 medium onion, halved and thinly sliced
1/4 of lettuce, thinnly sliced
1 cup mixed seasonal berries, such as strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and blueberries (we are using Strawberries and Blueberries)
1/4 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled

Dressing

2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 cup Olive oil
1/2 teaspoons sugar
Salt and pepper

Preparation

Toss lettuce, walnuts, onions, berries and goat cheese in a large serving bowl.
For the dressing, whisk together all ingredients.Taste and adjust seasoning. Drizzle dressing over salad. Serve immediately with meal of your choice.

Husband Says: "So I love the drink. Gulped it down in no time. Non-alcoholic version that is. Have to try the alchy version next. Now, total honesty time. I'm not a huge fan of fruit mixed with salad, so this really wasn't for me. But! Not to say it wasn't good, just didn't suit my tastes. For those of you out there that like a little mix and matchin', this would be a fun dish. To those fruit purists, maybe not. Now that I've officially said I didn't go for one of my beautiful, wonderful, sexy, smart, talented (not enough kissing up yet), and love of my life wife's dishes, I must go take my licks. Here's to hoping I'm allowed at the dinner table tomorrow. Wish me luck!"

Comments (7)

anne said on July 4, 2012 at 9:36 AM
	Delish July 4th food ! Very colorful :D That salad with goat cheese looks really refreshingly yummy ! Enjoy and Happy 4th of July ! Don't forget to shop til you drop ! lol

mireia badia said on July 4, 2012 at 12:00 PM
	Piña colada??? Delicious!!! i want some!!!!

Alida said on July 5, 2012 at 10:09 AM
	this looks lovely. A special and delicious dish!

Angie's Recipes said on July 5, 2012 at 11:29 AM
	What a delicious looking salad! Love your Piña Colada too!

Elisabeth said on July 6, 2012 at 1:23 PM
	Hi Carmen, thank you for your sweet caring and concern about my injured wrist. Never would have thought that picking mangoes from under the tree (windy day) can give you not one, but 2 injuries at the same time. Love your creative 4th of July cocktail, and the salad is divine...so colorful and delicious! Glad you had such a wonderful 4th celebration:D

Soni said on July 8, 2012 at 8:34 AM
	Love the colors here!I love fruits in my salads and this right up my alley :)Will be trying this for sure :)Thanks for sharing Carmen!