This year, I wanted to make my own version of Patriotic Punch, a fun and colorful 4th of July drink. Patriotic Punch uses liquids with different levels of sugar in them so that the colors stay separated. In other recipes I have seen, the blue layer is some kind of sugar-free sports drink. I knew for our 4th of July drink, I wanted something that paired a little better with Hawaiian Punch, which is what I planned on using for the red layer.
I was scouting the aisles of the grocery store and finding a very limited selection of blue drinks. Then I realized, I could use any clear drink and turn it blue with just a few drops of blue food coloring. I didn’t have to be confined to a sports drinks. I’m thrilled to say, it works perfectly and I’m going to serve these alongside my homemade peach iced tea for a fun and colorful 4th of July drink.
I think my kids will love these as much as the Uncle Sam mustache pops I made last year!
- Hawaiian Punch or any sugary red drink
- Diet 7UP or any no sugar clear soda
- Blue food coloring
- Ice
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Start by adding a few drops of blue food coloring to Diet 7UP.
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Fill glass or punch bowl about 1/2 way with ice.
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Pour in Hawaiian Punch.
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Fill the rest of the glass or punch bowl to the top with ice.
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Carefully pour in blue Diet 7UP.
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Do not mix.
When you prepare the drink, the order is ice, red liquid, more ice, blue liquid. You only need a few drops of blue food coloring. If you use too much, it will sink down and turn the drink purple. The amount of sugar in the layers is key. More sugar is heavier and will be the first layer. Less and no sugar will be the top layer.
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Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
May 7, 2013 at 9:59 amI am in love with this drink!
Trish - Mom On Timeout
May 7, 2013 at 7:06 pmOh my gosh this is just fabulous Melissa! It looks SO refreshing!
Tonia@thegunnysack
May 8, 2013 at 2:41 pmThat looks like so much fun to drink!
Beth
May 9, 2013 at 6:27 pmComing over from the 36th ave party! I am storing this one for later, pinned it!
Beth @ The First Year Blog
Mackenzie
May 9, 2013 at 7:42 pmWe made these last Summer; the kids loved them and everyone was so excited about the layered colors! Such a fun drink! 🙂
Jenn
May 10, 2013 at 7:19 amThis looks so fun Melissa!
kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor
May 10, 2013 at 10:49 pmI’ve always wanted to try a layered drink like this!! It’s absolutely beautiful and no doubt YUMMY!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life
May 11, 2013 at 10:29 amThat is such a fun drink!!! My kids are going to love this!!!
Michelle@yagottahaveahobby
May 12, 2013 at 9:39 pmWhat a cute idea! This looks so refreshing and fun! Thanks for the recipe. 🙂
xoxo
Michelle @ Ya Gotta Have a Hobby
Regina Lane
May 19, 2013 at 8:16 pmjust wondering if anyone has tried this in a drink dispenser; you know the ones w/ the spout on the bottom? Do you think it would work in one or would you just mess the whole thing up?
Melissa
May 21, 2013 at 12:42 pmIt will definitely work in a big drink dispenser, but would eventually mix once people started pouring. I would still do it though! It would be fun to see how long it will stay separated!
Vanessa @ Mom's Menu Planning
May 22, 2013 at 12:28 pmThis looks so good!
Just wanted you to know – I featured this recipe in my Memorial Day Recipe Round Up here -> http://www.momsmenuplanning.com/2013/05/memorial-day-recipe-round-up.html
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats
May 23, 2013 at 12:20 pmLOVE this festive drink! All the Red, White & Blue recipes popping up all over is great!
Jazmine
March 26, 2015 at 7:55 pmI love all ur recipe ideas. keep up the good work.
Yumvilla
October 26, 2017 at 6:52 amyummy – thank you for sharing!