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Thursday, August 20, 2020

I wanted a blue-colored drink to celebrate the 2020 Democratic National Convention, and also I wanted to use the blueberry juice concentrate that I bought at IKEA ages ago. So, the cocktail I selected is not exactly a “conventional” shade of blue (pun intended). Then again, this year’s nominating convention is unique, unprecedented, historic, and…wait for it…unconventional, so the cocktail is fitting.

I have been a Democrat all my life. My parents supported Democratic candidates, I grew up in a city run by Democrats, and I even became the president of the College Democrats back in my student days. I remember putting a “Muskie for President” sticker on a school folder back in 1972, and I remember listening to the convention of 1980 on a transistor radio while I was at work. I love the speeches, the emotion, and the roll call. (And OMG, this year’s Virginia’s votes were reported from my town, which made me proud and then profoundly sad when Mr. Khan reminded us that Charlottesville was “attacked by white supremacists” only three short years ago.)

I will be voting, as I always do, and I will be voting for Biden and Harris. Please join me.

This is my version of a Blueberry Vodka cocktail.

Fill a shaker half-way with ice, and add 1 1/2 ounces vodka, 1 1/2 ounces blueberry juice concentrate, and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Shake well and strain into a low-ball glass, and top off with 3 ounces of club soda. Garnish with blueberries.