Concoctions make slurping fun again

Here are bright ideas for quenching summer thirst.
By ALLISON ASKINS
MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS
Here are some fun frozen-drink ideas from McCormick -- just in time for the Fourth of July or a summer-evening party with friends.
I don't know whether you've seen the neon food coloring from McCormick, but it sure brightens up a cocktail. Another way to add spice to your summer cocktails is with extracts. Orange, lemon, rum or coconut are good choices.
Here are some ideas for using each.
GROOVY BANANA BLITZ
This drink is a take on tie dye and is sure to impress the kids in your life.
2 ripe bananas
2 cups ice cubes
6 ounces vanilla yogurt
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon pure orange extract
Assorted neon food colors
Mix all ingredients, except food colors, in blender on high until smooth.
Divide mixture evenly into four portions. Stir 6 drops of a different food color into each portion. To serve, pour the different colors alternately into each of 3 tall glasses. Makes 3 servings.
LI'L PINK LADY
Do you have a child in your life who loves Shirley Temples or, at least, the maraschino cherries you put in them? Here's one for her:
6 ounces frozen limeade concentrate, plus 1 can water
2 cups ice cubes
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons raspberry extract
6 drops pink neon food color
12 ounces ginger ale, chilled
Place all ingredients, except ginger ale, in blender; cover and blend on high speed until smooth. Pour into large pitcher. Slowly stir in ginger ale.
PINEAPPLE-COCONUT COOLER
And for the grownups, try this. (In place of the rum extract, we'd use real rum at our house, but if you would prefer it without, here's the recipe with extract.)
2 cups pineapple juice, chilled
2 cups ice cubes
21/2 teaspoons imitation coconut extract
1 teaspoon imitation rum extract
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4 drops yellow food coloring
2 cups pineapple sherbet
Place all ingredients, except sherbet, in blender. Cover; blend on high speed until ice is crushed.
Add sherbet. Cover and blend until smooth. Garnish with pineapple slices and cherries, if desired. Makes 5 servings.