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Today, rather than feature one of TLM columnist Kylee Van Dillen’s fabulous Girl Friday Happy Hour spots in Los Angeles, I am sharing a cocktail recipe called the Aviator of Hope in honor of 9/11.

While I’m not one to get freakishly patriotic, the anniversary of the terrorist attacks does stir up some feelings of “togetherness” with other Americans. On that fateful day, I was awakened by a 6 am call from France saying “Turn on the TV, they’ve attacked New York!” I had no idea what the heck this froggie friend was talking about at first… but spent the rest of the day glued to the tube, tears streaming down my face. I think we were all in shock.

Americans have many faults, to be sure – demanding, egocentric, pushy, loud, spoiled are a few words that spring to mind when describing our lesser qualities. However, in times of crisis, we band together, we are compassionate, we are generous, we care. I especially experienced these noble characteristics twice:

After the Northridge Earthquake in 1994, which traumatized L.A., but brought everyone together. Rather than cutting each other off in traffic, we were asking our neighbors if they needed help.
After 9/11, our whole country came together in a sad solidarity. I still tear up thinking about the people who jumped out of the World Trade Center, rather than be burned alive, and I can barely choke back a sob remembering stories of passengers on those planes calling their loved ones for a final “good bye” before they crashed.

So, in the vein of rah-rah-America and all that jazz, I’m featuring a patriotic cocktail in honor of the victims of 9/11/01, as well as for the servicemen and women in our armed forces, police, firemen, doctors and those who volunteer to protect others.

Also, today, I especially celebrate President Obama, who is striving toward repairing our relations with the rest of the planet, so that we may all co-exist peacefully. I created The Aviator of Hope Cocktail in his honor during the elections. Here's to the dawning of a new era of optimism and, yes, hope for a better world. Cheers!

The Aviator of Hope

1 1/2 oz gin

3/4 oz maraschino liqueur

1/2 oz blueberry pomegranate juice

1/2 oz lemon juice

6 blueberries (fresh or frozen, thawed)

splash of champagne

Muddle 4 blueberries in the bottom of a mixing glass. Add liquid ingrediens, except champagne. Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass. Top with a splash of champagne and garnish with remaining 2 blueberries.