Bank Holiday Hub Guide
A bank holiday weekend lives or dies on two things: the weather, and what is in the fridge. You can plan around one of those. This guide is about the other.
Whether you are hosting a full blown BBQ, a low-key garden hang or a long Sunday lunch, here is how to build a drinks line-up that keeps everyone happy without overthinking it or overspending.
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How to Think About Bank Holiday Drinks
Three rules keep things simple.
One, variety beats volume. Four different things people actually want to drink will always beat a mountain of one thing half of them do not. A lager, a rosé, a cocktail option and something soft covers most of a room.
Two, chilled beats warm, every time. Plan fridge space before you plan drinks. If you are buying more than the fridge holds, a cool box with ice is non-negotiable.
Three, buy one thing that feels a bit special. A nicer bottle of rosé, a decent spirit, a cocktail you can actually make. It lifts the whole day for about five pounds more.
Best Beers for a BBQ
For a crowd, pint cans in multipacks are the smart buy. Better value per pint, fewer runs to the fridge. Crisp lagers like Carling and Cruzcampo work best in warm weather because they are clean, cold and easy going. Save the heavier ales for the autumn.
If you want one beer that pleases everyone, a standard British lager is still the safest pick. If you want to make the day feel a bit more interesting, throw in a citrus-forward option like Cruzcampo Sevilla Orange.
Best Wines for the Garden
Warm weather completely changes what wine tastes like. Heavy reds feel tired in the sun. Lighter, fresher styles come alive.
Rosé is the default summer wine for a reason. Dry Provence styles like Whispering Angel work with almost any food and suit almost any palate. If you are splashing out on one bottle, make it this.
Chilled whites like Yellow Tail Chardonnay or a Sauvignon Blanc are made for grilled chicken, salads and lemony pasta.
For reds, Malbec is the BBQ red. Rich enough to stand up to steak and burgers, smooth enough to drink on its own.
Serve whites and rosés properly cold, around 8 degrees. Serve lighter reds slightly chilled, about 14 degrees. Twenty minutes in the fridge before pouring transforms them.
Ready to Drink Cocktails for Sharing
RTDs earn their place at any bank holiday because they remove the decision. Multipacks of WKD or VK work brilliantly for younger crowds, BuzzBallz add colour and variety, and pre-mixed gin or vodka cans cover anyone who does not want beer or wine.
The trick is to treat them as part of the mix, not the whole thing. A cool box of RTDs next to the beer fridge gives everyone a proper choice.
Easy Cocktails to Make at Home
You do not need a home bar. One bottle of vodka, one bottle of gin and a few mixers will cover most of what you want to make.
Three cocktails that work every time:
- Stoli Strawberry Kiss — fresh, fruity and made for sunshine
- Gin & Tonic with a twist — Gordon’s, Fever-Tree, plenty of ice, grapefruit peel instead of lemon
- Dark & Stormy — Captain Morgan Golden Spiced, ginger beer, wedge of lime
For more serves, have a look at the full Booze Bar cocktail collection.
How Much to Buy Per Person
A rough working rule for a four to six hour bank holiday gathering:
- Beer drinkers: 4 to 5 cans each
- Wine drinkers: half a bottle each
- Spirits drinkers: 3 to 4 serves each (count roughly 6 serves per 70cl bottle)
- Soft drinks: 1 litre per person, more if it is hot
Always round up. Leftover beer keeps. Running out at 4pm does not.
FAQs
What wine goes best with a BBQ?
A chilled Malbec for red meat, a dry rosé for mixed spreads, and a crisp Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc for chicken and fish.
How far in advance should I chill drinks?
Beers and white wines need at least two hours in the fridge, or 20 minutes in an ice bucket with water and salt for a quick chill.
What is a good cheap spirit for cocktails?
A 35cl of Smirnoff, Gordon’s or Captain Morgan will cover most easy cocktails and costs a fraction of a full bottle.
Where can I find deals near me?
Use our store locator to find your nearest store, or browse the latest deals online.
