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Nothing beats the Red White and Blue Kid’s Drink at a backyard bash. The colors are so bold, it always grabs attention. Kids’ faces light up when they spot these on the counter. Want an easy crowd-pleaser that gets instant happy cheers? Go with this, no stress needed!
The first time I whipped these up was for a July Fourth block party and, honestly, there wasn’t a drop left when the food hit the table. Adults totally came back for seconds
Vibrant Ingredients
- Patriotic straws: Totally optional, but they make drinks extra fun Search the party aisle for these
- Cherries for topping: The final classic touch Try to grab glossy, syrupy ones for a pop of shine
- Blueberry Kool Aid: Get a blue drink with a vivid shade—Kool Aid, Gatorade, or Hawaiian Punch all work well
- Pina colada mix: Brings creaminess to the middle layer. Coconut cream boosts the flavor a ton if you find it
- Grenadine: Gives that showstopper red. The kind with pomegranate will taste even better
- Cherry 7 Up: Bright, fizzy, and sweet—find the most colorful cherry soda around for a fun red base
- Ice cubes: Makes the stripes and keeps your drink extra cold. Clear cubes look the coolest
Fun How-To
- Add the Finishing Touches:
- Drop in a shiny cherry for that classic look and stick in a festive straw if you want the party vibe
- Pour In the Blue Layer:
- For the very top, slowly let the blue drink cascade over the spoon, so it stays separated and super pretty. Fill right up to the rim
- Layer On the White:
- Next, tip a spoon (flipped upside down!) over your ice and pour in the pina colada mix gently until you reach almost to the top. This gives that cool milky band in the middle
- Make the Red Base:
- Blend grenadine with Cherry 7 Up and carefully pour until the cup is a third full. Take your time for neat layers at the bottom
- Load Up On Ice:
- Fill your glass all the way with ice. It keeps the colors from mixing and makes those stripes nice and sharp
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The best part, honestly, is seeing kids’ jaws drop as those layers appear. My niece calls this her magic lemonade and insists she gets to put together her own cup every summer
Chill Storage Advice
Drinks like this are best put together fresh, but you can have everything cold and ready in the fridge ahead of time. Don’t pour until it’s go-time though, or your colors will mix!
Swap Options
If you can’t get cherry soda, sub in lemon lime mixed with a bit more grenadine for the red. If you’re out of pina colada mix, coconut milk does the trick. Can’t find blue Kool Aid? Blue punch or sports drink will nail it
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Party Serving Ideas
Break these out for big summer holidays like Memorial Day or Fourth of July. For parties, make a “build your own drink” area and let kids add sprinkles or fun stir sticks on their own
Common Recipe Questions
- → What's the trick to keeping the layers from mixing?
Take it slow and pour each drink gently over a spoon sitting inside the glass to keep those colors nice and separated.
- → Need to swap an ingredient for allergies or just for taste?
Go for it! Use blue Gatorade, Blue Hawaiian, or any blue drink you like instead, and you can use any lemon-lime soda if you're skipping the Cherry 7-Up.
- → Why does it show off red, white, and blue colors?
That bottom pop comes from cherry soda and grenadine, smooth white in the middle with piña colada mix, and a blue drink like Kool-Aid or sports drink on top.
- → Is there any alcohol or is it safe for all ages?
There's no alcohol here at all, so it's perfect for everyone, especially kids and family gatherings.
- → What's a fun way to dress it up?
Stick a cherry on top and pop in some festive straws or colorful sprinkles to make it feel like a party.
- → Can you prep this drink ahead of time?
It's better to make it right before you drink so the colors stay sharp and it feels icy cold.