Best Drinks for a Summer BBQ
A good BBQ runs on three things: something on the grill, somewhere to sit, and a drinks line-up that keeps everyone sorted from the first sausage to the last ember. Get the food right and nobody notices. Get the drinks wrong and everybody does.
This guide covers everything you need to stock the perfect summer drinks table, whether you’re hosting a full garden party or just having a few people round on a warm evening: the best beers for drinking outside, spirits that mix easily in the sun, wines that suit warm weather, and a cocktail that ties the whole thing together.
How to Think About BBQ Drinks
Four principles keep things simple.
One, lighter beats heavier. In warm weather, people naturally reach for lighter, crisper drinks. Pilsners over porters, dry whites over oaked reds, long cocktails over short ones. Save the heavier stuff for the evening.
Two, pint cans are the BBQ format. They’re cheaper per pint than bottles, easier to hold, harder to knock over on uneven grass, and they chill faster. If you’re buying beer for a garden gathering, pint can multipacks are the smart move.
Three, keep spirits simple. You don’t need a cocktail bar. One rum, one vodka or one gin and a few mixers will cover most of what people want to drink. Long serves over ice are the BBQ default.
Four, chill everything properly. Clear the fridge the night before. If you’re buying more than it holds, a cool box with ice and water is non-negotiable. Warm drinks in direct sunlight are nobody’s idea of a good afternoon.
Best Beers for a BBQ
BBQ beer needs to be cold, easy drinking and available in packs big enough that you’re not constantly running to the shop.
Lager is the backbone. Carling, Stella Artois, Madri and Bud Light all work because they’re crisp, clean and disappear quickly on a hot day. Pint can multipacks give you the best value and the least fridge admin.
For something with more character, European lagers like Spaten, Budweiser Budvar and Poretti bring a bit more malt depth and body without tipping into heavy territory. They’re brilliant for people who want something a step up from standard lager but still light enough to drink all afternoon.
Cider earns its place too. A cold Thatchers Gold or Thatchers Haze alongside the beer gives anyone who prefers cider a proper option rather than an afterthought.
The golden rule: buy one more pack than you think you need. Nobody has ever been disappointed by leftover beer after a BBQ.
Summer Spirits for Easy Mixing
The best BBQ spirits are ones that mix long, mix simple and don’t need a recipe.
Rum is the summer spirit. Malibu with pineapple juice is an instant crowd-pleaser. Lambs Spiced Rum with cola and a wedge of lime is dark, warming and dead simple. Mount Gay with grapefruit and soda is the refined option (and the base of this month’s Eclipse Barbados Sunset cocktail).
Bourbon goes with BBQ like nothing else. Jim Beam and cola is the classic, and Jim Beam Red Stag, with its black cherry note, makes a brilliant long serve with lemonade or ginger ale.
Passoa is the wildcard. Mixed with orange juice and a splash of prosecco, it becomes a quick passionfruit spritz that catches people off guard in the best way.
Keep the mixers cold, the ice plentiful and the pours generous. That’s the whole strategy.
Wines for Warm Weather
Warm weather changes what wine tastes like. Heavy reds feel sluggish in the sun. Lighter, chilled styles come alive.
White wine is the BBQ default. A crisp Pinot Grigio or a rounder Chardonnay, served properly cold, pairs with everything from grilled chicken to a green salad.
Rosé works all day. Dry, cold and food-friendly, it bridges the gap between white and red drinkers and goes with almost anything off the grill.
For red wine, keep it lighter. A Shiraz has enough fruit and spice to stand up to burgers and steak without feeling heavy. Serve it slightly chilled, around 14 degrees, and it transforms in warm weather.
Multi-buy deals like 2 for £10 on the Wolf Blass range (Chardonnay, Shiraz, Pinot Grigio) make it easy to grab a white and a red without overthinking it.
BBQ Cocktail: Eclipse Barbados Sunset
Every good BBQ needs one drink that makes people put their phone down and ask what you’ve made. The Eclipse Barbados Sunset is that drink: Mount Gay Rum, fresh grapefruit, lime, soda and mint, shaken, strained and served long over ice.
It’s light, citrusy and built for warm evenings. Make one to test, then batch it in a jug for the table. Full recipe on the Booze Bar.
RTDs and Seltzers
Not everyone wants to mix, and that’s fine. The RTD and seltzer range covers those moments perfectly.
White Claw (Black Cherry, Raspberry, Green Apple) is the seltzer that has earned its place at every outdoor gathering. Low calorie, gluten free and genuinely refreshing, it suits anyone who wants something lighter than beer but more interesting than water.
El Jimador Margaritas (Lime and Mango) bring tequila cocktail flavour in a can, no blender needed.
Both work best ice cold from a cool box. Throw them in an hour before people arrive and let everyone help themselves.
How Much to Buy Per Person
A rough guide for a BBQ lasting four to six hours:
- Beer drinkers: 5 to 6 cans each
- Wine drinkers: half a bottle each
- Spirits drinkers: 3 to 4 serves each (roughly 6 serves per 70cl bottle)
- RTDs/seltzers: 3 to 4 cans each
- Soft drinks: 1 litre per person, more if it’s hot
- Ice: 1kg per person minimum, more for cool boxes
Always round up. Always have more ice than you think you need.
FAQs
What is the best beer for a BBQ?
A crisp lager in pint cans is the safest pick for a crowd. Carling, Stella Artois and Madri are all reliable. Add a European option like Spaten or Budvar for anyone who wants something with a bit more character.
What spirits go well with BBQ food?
Bourbon is the natural match for grilled meat. Rum works brilliantly with tropical flavours and lighter dishes. Both mix long and simple with standard mixers.
How do I keep drinks cold at a BBQ?
A cool box filled with ice and a splash of water chills cans faster than ice alone. Start chilling at least an hour before guests arrive. Keep the cool box in the shade.
What wine goes best with a BBQ?
A chilled Pinot Grigio or rosé for lighter food, a Shiraz for red meat. Serve whites and rosés at around 8 degrees and reds slightly chilled.
Where can I find BBQ drinks deals near me?
