Lakeland is such a great place for aviation enthusiasts. We have the Florida Air Museum, Fantasy of Flight, Bartow Airbase History Museum and of course the annual Sun N Fun fly-in. This is the week where mere mortals are able to get up close with vintage aircraft, seaplanes, warbirds, home built, show-planes and rotorcraft. But the star of the show has to be the US Navy’s Blue Angels!
Ever since childhood I have been fascinated with the Flight Demonstration Squadron. Formed in 1946 at the end of WW2 The Blue Angels are the world’s 2nd oldest formal aerobatic team. These pilots are the most elite of the elite. Performing incredibly precise maneuvers sometimes as close as 18 inches apart! But these birds are not just for show. With few differences between them and the Navy’s fleet craft, the Blue Angels aircraft can be made combat capable in 72 hours!
In honor of the Blue Angels I give you The Blue Angel Cocktail. This cool, creamy and brilliantly blue cocktail will wow any fan of flight.
Chill a martini glass by filling it with ice water while you prepare your drink.
In a cocktail shaker add ice and the following ingredients:
1 oz Brandy
½ oz Blue Curacao
½ oz Vanilla Liquor
½ oz Half & Half
A dash of lemon juice.
Shake thoroughly and strain into your chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon wedge and sit back and enjoy the show.