We're closing in on Memorial Day and, for a lot of folks in the U.S., that means a barbecue or some sort of get-together. When there's food; there's drink. Here are a few recipes for you (including non-alcoholic and one for the kids).

ETA: In no way did I intend to downplay the significance of Memorial Day - it's a day to observe the members of military who died in service. I do realize that it IS a weekend when many people have get-togethers or when tourist season kicks off. My sincere apologies to anyone I may have offended.

Easy White Sangria

• 1-750ml bottle white wine
• ¾ cup triple sec
• 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
• ½ cup fresh blueberries
• ½ cup fresh raspberries
• 2-12 oz cans lemon-lime soda or ginger ale

1. In a large pitcher, combine the wine, triple sec, and fruit. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour (it tastes better if it sites in the fridge for a while).
2. To serve: Pour the soda into the sangria and give it a little stir. Pour over ice into glasses. Spoon some of the fruit into the glass.

Aniki’s Note: I have made this with 1 cup of sliced peaches in place of the blueberries and raspberries.

Grapefruit Margarita Slushy

• 12 oz can frozen lemonade
• 12 oz grapefruit
• 12 oz tequila
• 3 cups ice

Combine everything in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve in salt- or sugar-rimmed glasses.

Peached Whale (1 serving)

• 1 oz rum
• 1 oz Malibu rum
• 1 oz peach schnapps
• Orange juice

In an ice-filled shaker, combine rums and schnapps. Shake and strain into a rocks glass (with or without ice). Topewith orange juice.

Sherbert Surprise

• Any flavor of sherbet (raspberry, pineapple, orange, lime, mixed)
• 7-Up or ginger ale
• Rose's grenadine
• Rose's lime juice

1. Pour in enough grenadine to cover the bottom of a tall glass.
2. Add 2 scoops of sherbet.
3. Fill with 7-Up or ginger ale.
4. Top with lime juice. DO NOT STIR!!

For the kids:

1. Make different flavors of Kool Aid and freeze into ice cubes.
2. Add the Kool Aid ice cubes to clear soda (7-Up, sprite, sierra mist).
3. The drink changes flavor as the ice melts!