The Mother Of All Cocktails

By CHRISTINE JOHNSON

Photo by HATTIE FOOTE

Spring has sprung, and the beauty of new flowers, the smell of orange blossoms, and gorgeous weather is upon us. April is considered the month when nature comes to life and opens up to new possibilities. People are coming out of their winter doldrums, the days are warmer, and to the delight of students everywhere, school is about to end.

April has also long been set aside as the month of awareness. We celebrate Earth Day on April 22 each year. Earth Day was created in 1970 to raise awareness for environmental protection. This green day on the calendar now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by earthday.org, including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries. There is a theme for each year we commemorate Earth Day. 2024 is “Planet vs. Plastics.” The hope is to create an understanding of the health risks of using plastics, as well as a realization of the pollution and harm plastics are creating in our environment.

No matter which side you support on the debates about global warming, electric cars, or plastics, we can all agree that protecting this planet and trying to make it a more beautiful place is the right thing to do. None of these issues have to be a political argument or create a fractured community. It becomes a chance to work together for a cause that affects all of us. If you would like to get involved in Coronado, you can contact emeraldkeepers.org and find out about the volunteer programs they have to keep our island clean.

Take the time to enjoy all April has to offer by sitting on your front porch or roof deck with a cocktail that embodies the colors of our beautiful planet. While enjoying this Mother Earth cocktail, contemplate being a part of the cause to make the Earth a better place for future generations. ◆

Ingredients

1 ounce coconut rum

1 ounce dark rum

2 ounces pineapple juice

1 ounce Blue Curacao

Orange slices

Ice Martini glass

Mixology

Add the coconut rum, dark rum, and pineapple juice to a shaker filled with ice. Shake the ingredients until well-chilled. Pour the blue curacao into the chilled martini glass. Add the shaken mixture to the glass (strained) and top off with an orange slice on the rim of the glass.

Carve the orange slice in the shape of the sun for Earth Day!