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Great barbecue drinks pairings

Match your grilled food to one of these top tipples to seriously impress your guests. From fruity cocktail recipes to crowd-pleasing sharers and non-alcoholic classics, we've got you covered.

drinkware RFO

  1. Pimm’s o’clock

    Greet your guests as they arrive with glasses of this fresh and fruity berry Pimm’s. The homemade strawberryade base balances sweet berries and tangy lemon for the perfect welcome drink. What's more, the base can be made a few days ahead and can also be used for a non-alcoholic version, too.

    Pimm’s o’clock
  2. Classics

    If sticking to classic dishes, go for wines that you know and love. Barbecue the perfect steak and match with your favourite bold, fruity red such as a Shiraz or Malbec. For grilled chicken, try a rich, full flavoured white such as Chardonnay or Chablis, or with barbecued fish go for something crisp and zesty like a Sauvignon blanc or Riesling. 

    Classics
  3. Crowd-pleasers

    Feeding a crowd? While you're churning out burgers and hotdogs on the grill, make sure everyone can serve themselves drinks by having large pitchers and jugs to hand. Mix up a big batch of this apple and cucumber gin cocktail for a refreshing yet boozy serve. 

    Crowd-pleasers
  4. Fresh and fragrant

    Complement herby marinades and the alfresco setting with drinks inspired by fresh botanicals. Rosemary is the perfect herb for adding a fresh, fragrant twist to drinks, such as in this rosemary and cirus spritz or sparkling lime and grapefruit water

    Fresh and fragrant
  5. Totally tropical

    If you're cooking with spices, then try a Caribbean-inspired cocktail to add a real taste of the tropics. Balance the fiery heat of something like jerk chicken with a piña colada mocktail or the refreshing fruitiness of this waternelon and lime drink.

    Totally tropical
  6. Best of British

    Embrace the feel of a quintessential British garden with some fruity and floral flavours that will have everyone dreaming of the countryside. Gin is the classic British spirit and is perfect in sharing cocktails. This gin and elderflower fizz recipe has bitter lemon, gin, cucumber and elderflower tonic, while this fruity version pairs elderflower, blackberry and apple with gin for a vibrant party drink.

    Best of British
  7. Go global

    If you're theming your barbecue around an international theme, serve up a drink to match. For example, these paprika-flavoured burgers may go well with a Spanish-style gin and tonic or a spiced sangrita

    Go global
  8. Little ones

    Let the kids enjoy all the barbecue fun as well with a large pitcher of homemade lemonade. This retro classic is easy to make and packed with flavour for a zesty drink that everyone will love. 

    Little ones
  9. Tickled pink

    We don’t need to tell you that a chilled rosé is perfect on a hot summer's day, so why not serve it up both as a drink and dessert? This sweet strawberry syllabub is the perfect easy pud for entertaining, with whipped cream and syrup-soaked berries all infused with rosé wine.

    Tickled pink
  10. Give it some fizz

    If celebrating something special, a glass of bubbly will always make it a real occasion. Add a fruity twist with a classic Buck's fizz or bellini cocktail, or make it even more impressive by serving up an Italian-style Sgroppino – a half cocktail, half dessert combination of fizz and fruit sorbet.

    Give it some fizz