Drink Umbrella

Drink Umbrellas

Add to summer fun by making these brightly colored drink umbrellas:

You will need: 1.  Colored paper 2.  Scissors 3.  Wooden skewers or long toothpicks 4.  Glue 5.  A bowl or glass (to trace a circle)
	1.  Use the bowl or glass and lightly trace a circle onto the colored paper.
	2.  Cut out the circle.  You may want to use scissors with a decorative edge if you have them.
	3.  Fold the cirlce in half, but don't crease it.  Just lightly press it in the middle with your finger.   Fold it in half in the other direction and lightly press the center again.  When you open the circle, the folded lines should form an X that marks the center of the umbrella.
	4.  The folded lines should also mark quarter sections of the umbrellas.  On the back of the umbrellas, draw a line from the center along one of the folds, all the out to the edge.  Then draw another line about half way in between the two folds.  The two lines will form a pie slice shape, about 1/8 of the circle.
	5.  Cut out the pie shape and dot one edge with glue.
	6.  Fold the edges of the pie shape together, forming an umbrella shape.  Alllow the glue to dry.
	7.  Put a dot of glue in the center of the umbrella.  Gently push the skewer or toothpick through the glue and through the umbrella.  Allow the glue to dry. Find a cool, icy drink.  Insert the umbrella.  Sit back, sip, and enjoy!

No one ever stepped forward to take credit for being the first person to put a mini paper umbrella into a cocktail, but the drink ornaments have been around for over 70 years.  Although their origins are obscure, they are a well know icon of cold summer drinks and tropical dining.