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24 Awesome BBQ Drinks for Your Next Barbecue

By MixThatDrink

When you’re planning a barbecue, one thing you don’t want is to be playing bartender all night. You want BBQ drinks that can be fixed in bulk and served big batch style from pitchers or even a beverage server.

And you want cocktails that are light and refreshing, so they cut through the grease from those heavy foods. You want these drinks to provide some serious hydration for everyone in that hot sun, with ingredients like soda water.

And finally, they need to stand up to ice, because you’re going to want to serve them over quite a bit of that.

Need some tips on planning your barbecue? Check out how to throw great outdoor parties in your backyard. And check out just how many different BBQ sauces you can make.

BBQ drink on patio table with mint garnish

Presentation tips

Many of these BBQ drinks can be made in pitchers in advance and poured when ready. Some could even be poured into a beverage server for guests to serve themselves.

Others call for blending or the addition of ingredients like ice and soda water at the last minute. There’s an easy way to handle these.

Drinks Station

Set up an outdoor buffet table with signs to guide the guests through the process of making their own BBQ drinks. The first step will be for guests to grab a glass which already has the room temperature ingredients in it.

Then they step to the right and find ice with a sign instructing them to add that to the glass. Then the next step might be to pour in some soda water or add garnish.

And then they come to a beverage dispenser where they can just pull a handle and fill their glass the rest of the way with the mixed cocktail ingredients.

It may sound like you’re asking guests to do some work, but it’s actually fun and engaging, especially if you’ve clearly taken the time to make it look nice. Plus, it means they can fetch their own refills when they want instead of having to find you and ask first.

Glassware suggestions

For an outdoor BBQ party, there is nothing wrong with plastic or acrylic. Check your local dollar stores for glasses that look terrific but are made from shatter-proof plastics.

If you want to use real glasses, mason jar glasses with handles are your friends. Copper mugs also work wonderfully outside.

Note: to make pitchers of cocktails that need to be shaken, just make batches in a shaker and strain them into the pitcher until the pitcher’s full. Store them in the fridge, and they’ll taste fresh and wonderful when you serve them.

24 BBQ Drinks

These delicious BBQ drinks will keep guests cool and refreshed on the hottest of days. They're all light enough to be enjoyed with heavy foods like barbecue and the traditional sides, such as potato salad.

Still didn’t find what you’re looking for? Check out my collection of 49 Margarita Recipes, many of which can be made in big batches.