Whether you’re hosting a cookout or just looking for a way to improve your typical party drink game, there’s no better way to do it than with a cocktail that’s been specifically crafted for the grill.
Not only do these drinks make use of ingredients that are common in barbecue recipes (think ginger, peppers, lemonade), they also give your guests something new and exciting to sip on while they wait for the burgers and dogs to come off the heat.
And if you’re feeling like getting into the spirit of things even more? Well then, put on some country music and start cooking!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Grilled fruits and herbs can add unique and delicious flavors to cocktails. |
| Some popular grill-friendly cocktails include margaritas, mojitos, and sangria. |
| A variety of side dishes, from grilled vegetables to savory appetizers, can be served with grilled cocktails. |
| To keep cocktails cold during a summer cookout, try serving them in insulated cups or glasses, or use fruit-infused ice cubes. |
| Non-alcoholic drink options like fruit-infused waters, iced tea, and sparkling water are refreshing choices for grilling-friendly drinks. |
A Pitcher Of Bloody Marys
Bloody Marys are the ideal drink to serve at brunch, but they’re also great for any meal. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Two cups of vodka (use less if you’re going to use horseradish)
- One cup of tomato juice (no pulp)
- Two teaspoons Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce (or both)
- ½ teaspoon salt and pepper each (to taste)
For serving, add ice cubes to one pitcher and fill with equal parts vodka and tomato juice; stir well.
Add more ice if needed and pour into glasses over celery sticks or olives as desired. Garnish each glass with a skewered caper or other garnish of choice!
Want to take your BBQ game to the next level? Look no further than our guide on 15 Grilled Side Dishes That Will Make Your BBQ the Best on the Block. From corn on the cob to grilled pineapple, these savory side dishes are guaranteed to please your hungry guests.
A Pitcher Of Mint Juleps
A mint julep is a drink with a lot of history, and it’s one of the most iconic Southern cocktails around.
The mint julep was popularized in the mid-to-late 1800s as part of the Kentucky Derby (the race horse industry brought bourbon to prominence in America), but it has its roots in colonial times.
Mint Julep Ingredients
- 2 parts bourbon or rye whiskey (if you’re feeling adventurous, try mixing both!)
- 1 tablespoon simple syrup (or more if your glass is larger)
- 8 sprigs fresh mint, plus an extra 4 for garnish
Mint Julep Recipes
| Recipe | Ingredients | Directions |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Mint Julep | bourbon whiskey, fresh mint, water, granulated sugar, crushed ice | Muddle mint leaves with sugar and water in a glass, add bourbon and mix. Pour mixture into a glass filled with crushed ice and garnish with mint sprig. |
| Peach Mint Julep | bourbon whiskey, fresh mint, fresh peaches, water, granulated sugar, crushed ice | Muddle mint with peaches, sugar, and water in a glass. Add bourbon and mix. Pour mixture into a glass filled with crushed ice and garnish with a slice of peach and a mint sprig. |
| Blackberry Mint Julep | bourbon whiskey, fresh mint, fresh blackberries, water, granulated sugar, crushed ice | Muddle blackberries with mint, sugar, and water in a glass. Add bourbon and mix. Pour mixture into a glass filled with crushed ice and garnish with a blackberry and a mint sprig. |
A Gingery Margarita
1/2 cup tequila
1/2 cup triple sec
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup ginger simple syrup*
2 cups ice
Whiskey Smash
Whiskey smash
- Use a highball glass.
- Add ice cubes and pour in 3 oz whiskey, 1 oz lemon juice, and 1/2 oz sugar. Stir vigorously to dilute the mixture, then place glass in freezer for 10 minutes prior to serving.
- Serve chilled and enjoy!
Nothing pairs better with a grilled burger or hotdog quite like a refreshing cocktail. Take your summer cookout to the next level with our guide on Get Grilled: The Top 15 Grill-Friendly Cocktails for Your Next BBQ. Cheers to good friends and good drinks!
Cafe Con Leche
If you’re the kind of person who needs to start your day with a jolt of caffeine, this drink is for you. It’s simple to make and can be served hot or cold. In fact, it’s probably the closest thing we have to coffee on Earth (at least until we invent something that tastes like instant-coffee milk).
Cafe con leche is also known as Cuban coffee and can be made with any coffee bean—you don’t necessarily have to use Cuban beans or even know where they come from (though knowing that would be cool).
Spiced Chocolate Milk
Chocolate milk is a great addition to your brunch menu, whether you’re serving it to kids or adults. It’s filling and nutritious. It has the same amount of calcium as skim milk, plus plenty of protein but it’s also full of flavor.
You can make chocolate milk in advance and keep it chilled until you’re ready to serve guests at the party (just be sure not to add the rum or vodka until right before).
This recipe makes enough for four servings; if you plan on having more people than that over and want to make more, just double up on everything except for the rum or vodka (which should stay at one shot per four servings).
For each serving:
- 2 cups whole milk (or half-and-half)
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
Why settle for ordinary drinks when you could be grilling up some delicious cocktails instead? Check out our guide on Grill Up Some Delicious Cocktails: 15 Recipes You Need to Try for some boozy inspiration. From margaritas to sangria, these cocktails are guaranteed to impress.
Rum Punch
Rum punch is an alcoholic beverage made with rum, fruit juices and spices. The primary ingredients are rum, lemon juice and sugar.
There are several variations of this drink. A traditional recipe would use dark over white rum, but any variety can be used.
Some people prefer to make their own punch using fresh ingredients while others prefer the convenience of a premade mix.
Regardless of the type you choose to prepare, there are many ways to customize your rum punch cocktail with additional flavors such as pineapple juice or grenadine syrup.
The following recipe is for a basic homemade version:
- One bottle of light or golden rum (approximately 750 ml)
- 5 cups chilled orange juice (or other citrus juice)
- 2 cups cold water In addition to adding sweetness from sugar/honey/syrup; sweeteners like brown sugar add depth & complexity too!
Rum Punch Recipes
| Recipe | Ingredients | Directions |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Rum Punch | dark rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, lime juice, simple syrup, bitters | Combine all ingredients in a pitcher and stir well. Serve over ice and garnish with a slice of orange and a cherry. |
| Coconut Rum Punch | coconut rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, lime juice, cream of coconut, simple syrup | Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend well. Pour mixture into a glass filled with ice and garnish with a slice of pineapple and a cherry. |
| Spiced Rum Punch | spiced rum, apple cider, lemon juice, ginger beer, simple syrup | Combine all ingredients in a pitcher and stir well. Serve over ice and garnish with a slice of apple and a cinnamon stick. |
A Carafe Of Sangria
Sangria is the ultimate summer drink. It combines the refreshing flavors of fruit, red wine and sparkling water and it’s easy to make! To make a carafe of sangria (a pitcher-sized version), fill a large pitcher halfway with ice cubes.
Add fresh fruit to the pitcher: citrus slices are great for this, but sliced apples and pears can also be used. Pour in 1 bottle each of red wine and sparkling water; top off with orange liqueur to taste.
To make individual glasses at home, combine one part wine or sparkling white grape juice with two parts orange juice in a glass over ice; add some lemonade if you want something extra tart!
No BBQ is complete without a signature cocktail. Impress your guests with our guide on 10 Grill-Friendly Cocktails That Will Make Your BBQ a Hit, featuring crowd-pleasers like strawberry basil lemonade and grapefruit tequila spritzers. Cheers to a fun and fabulous cookout!
Cucumber Ginger Fizzes
Cucumber ginger fizzes are a great summer drink. They’re refreshing, simple to make and can be easily adjusted for different tastes.
Ingredients:
- 1 cucumber (peeled, sliced)
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger root
- 8 ounces club soda or sparkling water
- Garnish with mint leaves and lime wedge (optional)
Peachy Lemonade Cooler
- Pour the lemonade into a pitcher, then add the peach schnapps and grenadine.
- Add mint leaves and ice to a tall glass or pitcher, then fill with your preferred amount of lemonade mixture (you can adjust it with more or less lemonade depending on how sweet you’d like it).
- Serve immediately!
An Invigorating Iced Tea
Iced tea is one of the most versatile drinks, and it’s perfect for the grill. If you like to keep things simple, just add some sugar and lemon or lime juice to black tea (you can even use decaf if you prefer).
To get more creative with it, try one of these tasty variations:
Add blueberries or strawberries for a fruity twist on classic iced tea. These fruits are great sources of antioxidants, making them healthy additions to any drink!
For a creamy beverage that’s a little bit sweet but not too heavy on calories, try adding a splash of half-and-half to your favorite iced tea recipe before putting in ice cubes; this will give you an extra silky texture without adding any extra fat content.
To bring out subtle herbal notes in black teas like Earl Grey or English breakfast varieties when making drinks on your grill instead using fresh herbs like mint leaves which can burn easily while cooking over hot coals simply add them after brewing – let steep at least five minutes before straining out loose leaves using fine mesh sieve placed over pitcher (or use strainer inside pitcher).
When it comes to grilling and cookouts, having a good selection of recipes is key. Check out our guide on Impress Your Friends with These Delicious Grilling Recipes for Your Next Cookout for some mouth-watering inspiration. From grilled peaches to BBQ chicken, these recipes are sure to delight your taste buds.
Hibiscus Moscow Mule With Fresh Mint And Lime
The Hibiscus Moscow Mule with fresh mint and lime is the perfect cocktail to make on a hot summer day. The hibiscus tea adds a beautiful orange color and subtle sweetness, while the lime juice helps balance out the flavor of the vodka.
- Fill half of an ice-filled glass with ice cubes.
- Combine 1 part vodka, 2 parts hibiscus tea, and 3 parts fresh lime juice in a cocktail shaker or pitcher with some crushed ice (enough to fill it about halfway). Stir well until chilled. You can also add a little sugar if you enjoy sweeter cocktails; I like mine plain but still sweetened by the hibiscus tea itself!
Strain into an empty glass and garnish with fresh mint sprigs or lemon wheels (or both!). Enjoy immediately!
| Ingredients | Directions |
|---|---|
| 1 cup hibiscus tea | Brew hibiscus tea and let it cool to room temperature. |
| 1/4 cup lime juice | Add lime juice to the cooled tea. |
| 1/4 cup simple syrup | Add simple syrup and stir well. |
| 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves | Add fresh mint leaves and stir gently. |
| 1/4 cup vodka (optional) | Add vodka if desired. |
| 1 cup ginger beer | Pour mixture into a copper mug filled with ice and top with ginger beer. Stir well and garnish with a lime wedge and fresh mint leaves. |
Conclusion
I hope you’re inspired to use one of these recipes for your next barbecue or cookout. If you have any other great ideas, we’d love to hear them!
Let us know in the comments below what kind of drink you like on a hot day, and we can all get together for an online meetup at the bar—er, I mean, kitchen table.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to help you take your grilling and cocktail game to the next level:
Imbibe Magazine: Grilling for Cocktails – Learn how to add smoky, grilled flavors to your cocktails with this guide from Imbibe Magazine.
Garden and Gun: Cocktails – Discover the best cocktail recipes to pair with your favorite grilled dishes with this collection of recipes from Garden and Gun.
Serious Eats: Cocktails for Barbecue – If you’re looking for delicious and refreshing cocktail ideas for your next BBQ, look no further than this guide from Serious Eats.
FAQs
What are some popular grill-friendly cocktails?
Some popular grill-friendly cocktails include margaritas, mojitos, sangria, and citrusy drinks like lemonade and grapefruit spritzers.
How do you infuse cocktails with grilled flavors?
You can infuse cocktails with grilled flavors by grilling fruit, herbs, or other ingredients first, and then muddling them or using them as a garnish in your cocktail.
What are some good side dishes to pair with grilled cocktails?
Grilled vegetables, salads, and savory appetizers like bruschetta and crostini make great side dishes to pair with grilled cocktails.
What’s the best way to keep cocktails cold during a summer cookout?
The best way to keep cocktails cold during a summer cookout is to serve them in insulated cups or glasses, or to use ice cubes made from fruit juice or herbs to add flavor and keep them cold.
What are some non-alcoholic options for grilling-friendly drinks?
Some delicious and refreshing non-alcoholic options for grilling-friendly drinks include fruit-infused waters, iced tea or lemonade, and sparkling water or soda with fresh herbs and fruit.
Hi there! I’m Hellen James, and I’m a grilling enthusiast. I’ve been grilling for years, and I absolutely love it. I love how it brings people together and how you can feed your family with just a few minutes of work.