This Drink Is The Bomb (Pop)

By Christine Johnson

When I think back to my childhood, I remember Fourth of July being a fun weekend of celebration, barbecues, fireworks, and of course sparklers for the kiddos. I used to love the imagination simple sparklers could ignite in me and my friends. Waving the wand around and seeing the bright colors and writing our names in lights. Ahhh… the days of an innocent childhood.

I am proud to say we continued those traditions when we had my daughter. She has always enjoyed the images of the red, white, and blue, fireworks in the sky, and planning a gathering of friends to celebrate our country’s independence. Is there anything better than hot dogs, hamburgers, beer, and potato salad? No matter where we call home, neighbors come together and enjoy this special day of patriotism, thanks to our founding fathers and those who continue to serve our country. But is there any place better than Coronado to celebrate July Fourth?

My family has been privileged to enjoy this island now for over 15 years. The summer day I look forward to the most is July Fourth. Even the weeks leading up to the holiday are filled with planning the perfect house decorations. Adding colors to bicycles and golf carts, and making sure we display the red, white and blue through shirts, hats and funky sunglasses. I remember the first Fourth we were here, and I saw people decorating their homes weeks in advance of the big day. I started to panic and immedi-

ately ran to the store to add to our already large collection of Fourth of July décor. For the record, our community is not about displaying the flag and colors just to be the biggest and brightest, Coronado is about the true symbol behind these displays. We are proud to live in a military town where our neighbors serve our country. Where we can help families when someone is on assignment and make plans to honor them when they return home.

Symbols of the great U.S. of A. are all over Coronado from the base to the shipyards, military businesses in town, and those we see in uniform grabbing a coffee as we thank them for their service.

So, whether you are visiting Coronado this July Fourth, or lucky enough to live here every July Fourth, make time in your schedule to attend all events you can on this day. I challenge you to not cry as you sit at the parade and watch our men and women in uniform, or the oldest living military hero driving by in a classic car. Even the inflatable Midway brings a tear to my eye because it reminds us of honor and sacrifice. It is a day filled with spirit, love and all that is good about Coronado and the United States of America. The committee that puts this event together works tirelessly to make it perfect – so thanks to them for always getting it right.

With a very special day, we need a special drink. One the adults and the kids can have fun with. Display your red, white, and blue proudly with the BOMB POP.

Bomb Pop

Ingredients

2.5 ounces Vodka

1 ounce Blue Curacao

1 ounce Rose’s Grenadine

1 ounce simple syrup

1 ounce lemon juice

Mixology

Add 1 oz. Grenadine to a tall glass – set aside

In a small pitcher, add 1 oz. vodka, 1 oz. lemon juice and 1 oz. simple syrup – stir

Add ice (crushed is better) to your glass of grenadine

Pour the vodka mixture over the ice

In small pitcher, add 1.5 ounce vodka, 1 ounce Blue Curacao – stir

Add crushed ice again to glass mixture

Pour the blue vodka mixture over the ice

THERE IS YOUR LAYERING OF RED, WHITE AND BLUE – HAPPY FOURTH!

Kid Friendly

Use sprite instead of vodka

Use blue food coloring instead of Curacao