There’s nothing like cracking a cold one with the boys on a sunny summer day. The BBQ is all fired up and you can just sit back and relax while delicious food is on its way.
But having a cold one doesn’t mean just drinking beer. There’s a whole world of BBQ drinks out there just waiting to be explored!
Want to throw the BBQ of the year, complete with drinks that will knock your friend’s socks off? We’ve put together a list of 12 amazing BBQ cocktails that will surely be a hit the next time you throw a backyard party!
Classic Taste, Modern Memories
These cocktails have stood the test of time. Why not use one of these delicious drinks to help create new memories at your next barbecue?
1. Mint Julip
There’s nothing like a mint julep to make you feel like a Southern gentleman sitting out on his back porch on a warm sunny day. Luckily, they’re really easy to make!
Just take simple syrup or sugar and mint and place it in a glass. Using a muddler, muddle the syrup and mint together so that the mint releases its fresh aroma and mixes with the syrup. Lastly, add some nice bourbon to the mix coupled with fresh ice.
2. Gin + Tonic
While not as popular in America, gin is the most consumed type of alcohol in Britain, with sales having tripled since 2009. Try one of these out for yourself and see how they live up to the hype!
It’s a very simple recipe, with 1-3 parts gin and 3 parts tonic. One tip while making a gin and tonic is to use high-quality tonic water. Trust us, it’s worth it.
3. Spiked Sweet Tea
Nothing says BBQ quite like the South and nothing says the South quite like sweet tea. Why not make this classic southern tradition into a boozy bbq cocktail?
The great thing as well is that there are so many different flavor combinations! The basics are adding tea, alcohol, and sweetness together. For example, try combining peach tea with peach schnapps to get a peach sweet tea that will perfectly quench your thirst on a hot summer’s day!
Have a Beach BBQ, But Without the Beach
So maybe your backyard doesn’t look exactly like Maui or Cabo. That doesn’t mean you can’t create that laid-back tropical vibe!
4. Mojito
Thanks to the famous author, Ernest Hemmingway, Mojitos became an international hit after he tried one in Havana, Cuba.
This delicious lime drink is made with white rum, club soda, lime juice, mint leaves, and ice. Take the white rum, lime juice, and mint and shake it before pouring it over ice. Top up with a bit of club soda and there you have it!
5. Margarita
A simple margarita contains tequila, lime juice, and triple sec, but why stop there? Add basil and pineapple for a spin on the well-known cocktail. Or, if you want to try something even more different, add some blood orange to the mix as well.
With a few simple ingredients, you can create a margarita that everyone will want to be trying at home!
6. Hawaiian Iced Tea
A cousin to the much loved, Long Island Iced Tea, this boozy cocktail will have you dreaming of soft sand and crashing waves while chowing down on some BBQ.
To make this tropical cocktail, mix 1/2 ounce of vodka, rum, tequila, gin, and triple sec with 1 ounce of sour mix and 2 ounces of pineapple juice. The basics are the same as a Long Island, with the added bonus of the sweet and fruity pineapple juice!
BBQ's Can Be Classy Too
Maybe you’re barbecuing some nice fish for succulent tacos, or a nice piece of steak for some close family and friends. These drinks can help make your BBQ feel more classy, without sacrificing taste or your wallet.
7. Sangria
Maybe wine would be a great addition to your meal, but you would rather have something a bit more fruity and exciting. Sangria is the perfect combination!
In a pitcher, pour red wine in with fruits like apple and oranges or blackberries and peaches. Add some brandy and sugar then chill. It’s a beautiful cocktail full of lush, summery flavors, and is the perfect addition to any backyard BBQ!
8. Peach Bellini
Maybe wine would be a great addition to your meal, but you would rather have something a bit more fruity and exciting. Sangria is the perfect combination!
In a pitcher, pour red wine in with fruits like apple and oranges or blackberries and peaches. Add some brandy and sugar then chill. It’s a beautiful cocktail full of lush, summery flavors, and is the perfect addition to any backyard BBQ!
9. Moscow Mule
A simple enough recipe made fancy by the copper mugs they are known to be served in. Moscow Mules are both refreshing and crisp with the combination of lime and ginger beer.
The cocktail consists of adding vodka and lime juice to a copper mug full of ice. After, top up with ginger beer and garnish with a lime wedge!
Try Something Completely New for Your BBQ
Even with all of these cocktail ideas, sometimes its nice to try something completely new. Here are some drinks we found from around the world that could bring some extra pizzaz to your next BBQ!
10. Cider
But wait, cider is just beer’s less cool cousin, right? Wrong! Cider is actually having a pretty big moment in the US and there are hundreds of different brands to choose from.
Swedish brand Rekorderlig has some refreshing flavors such as strawberry lime, wild berry, and pear. Another Swedish brand, Kopparberg, also has some delicious flavors to try besides the popular apple flavor.
11. Pimms
If you’ve never tried Pimms, you’re in for a summertime treat. Most popular to drink in England during the summer months, Pimms is a sweet liqueur that makes for a tasty, fruity cocktail.
The traditional Pimms cocktail consists of Pimms, a lemon soda like Sprite or 7-Up, and slices of fruit like strawberry and orange slices. Top with some mint leaves and enjoy!
12. Aperol Spritz
A super popular drink in Italy, this cocktail will transport you straight to Rome.
Just take 2 parts of Aperol to 3 parts prosecco and a dash of soda water, and you have your perfect summertime BBQ cocktail!
BBQ Cocktails to Create a New Kind of Party
Just by changing out beer to something a bit different, your BBQ can go from average joe to something more.
BBQs are all about friends, family, food, and having a good time. This doesn’t mean you can’t create extra atmosphere by serving some cool, refreshing BBQ cocktails as well.
Now that you have the menu set, need some extra ideas to host the party everyone will be talking about? Check out our article on great backyard BBQ party ideas to get started!
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