Pull up a camp chair and pour yourself a drink legends, May 13th is World Cocktail Day, and what better way to mark the occasion than by mixing up the ultimate drink lineup for your next backyard BBQ? Whether you’re flipping steaks, smoking brisket, or just standing around the fire talking crap with your mates, the right cocktail can take your BBQ from good to bloody unforgettable.
So here it is: the Top 10 BBQ Cocktails, split right down the middle. Five whisky cocktails for the lovers of dark, smoky, barrel-aged glory, and five other classics and curveballs that bring the refreshment factor in spades.
This one’s for the fire, the meat, and the mayhem. Let’s go.
🥃 Top 5 Whisky Cocktails for BBQ
1. Smoked Old Fashioned
This is the GOAT. Simple, bold, and smoky, the Old Fashioned pairs perfectly with fatty meats like brisket or short ribs.
Here’s my original recipe, or a more basic version below:
Ingredients:
- 60ml bourbon or rye whisky – Smoked (optional, but come on, it’s BBQ!)
- Dash of bitters
- Sugar cube or 1 tsp simple syrup
- Orange peel
Why it works: The bitters and citrus cut through the richness of BBQ, while the whisky complements smoky flavours like they were made for each other. Bonus points if you torch a bit of oak for some proper smoke showmanship.
2. Boulevardier
Think of it as the darker, boozier cousin of the Negroni. Great for sipping while the coals are coming up to temp.
Ingredients:
- 30ml bourbon or rye whisky
- 30ml Campari
- 30ml sweet vermouth
- Orange peel garnish
Why it works: That bitter-sweet combo holds up against bold BBQ flavours. Great with grilled sausages or smoked duck.
3. Whisky Sour (with a BBQ twist)
Sweet, sour, and just a little bit fancy.
Ingredients:
- 60ml whisky (Smoked for that BBQ kick)
- 30ml fresh lemon juice
- 30ml simple syrup
- Egg white (optional, for frothiness)
Why it works: It’s refreshing but still whisky-forward. Add that hint of smoke, and it’s suddenly BBQ royalty.
4. Maple & Smoke Manhattan
Sweet meets heat in this riff on a classic.
Ingredients:
- 60ml rye whisky
- 25ml sweet vermouth
- 5ml maple syrup
- Dash of bitters
- Cherry garnish
Why it works: The maple syrup vibes with smoky pork and burnt ends. It’s a warming sipper for cool nights around the fire.
5. Penicillin
No, not the medicine, but it might just cure your average BBQ drink game.
Ingredients:
- 60ml blended Scotch whisky
- 20ml fresh lemon juice
- 20ml honey-ginger syrup
- Float of smoky Islay whisky
Why it works: That gingery punch is magic with grilled chicken or pork belly, and the smoky whisky float? Dead set delicious.
🍹 5 Non-Whisky BBQ Cocktails
6. Spicy Margarita
You’ve had a Marg. But have you had one with a proper kick?
Ingredients:
- 60ml tequila
- 30ml lime juice
- 15ml triple sec or Cointreau
- 10ml agave syrup
- Jalapeño slices or hot sauce
Why it works: Smoky meats + citrus heat = match made in grilling heaven. Killer with anything charred or rubbed with spice.
7. Paloma
A Mexican classic that’s criminally underrated. Light, fizzy, and full of grapefruit goodness.
Ingredients:
- 60ml tequila or mezcal
- Fresh grapefruit juice
- Lime juice
- Soda water
- Salted rim (if you’re feeling bougie)
Why it works: Cuts right through fatty ribs or rich pulled pork. Mezcal adds smoky vibes, but tequila keeps it clean.
8. Mojito
Refreshing AF and dangerously easy to drink.
Ingredients:
- 60ml white rum
- Fresh mint
- Lime juice
- Sugar syrup
- Soda water
Why it works: Pork and mint are best mates. This one’s ideal for long BBQ sessions where you don’t want anything too heavy.
9. BBQ Bloody Mary
The brunch classic, but make it hardcore.
Ingredients:
- 45ml vodka
- Tomato juice
- Worcestershire sauce
- Hot sauce
- Lemon juice
- Celery salt, pepper
- Garnishes: Pickles, jerky, grilled bacon… you get the idea.
Why it works: It’s practically a meal. Fire it up early with smoked eggs and bacon, or late as a savoury sipper.
Bloody Mary is even its own SCA competition category… doesn’t get more BBQ than that! Here’s a few hand ins from and SCA competition I judged… yep, got to sit and drink Bloody Marys!
10. Dark & Stormy
Simple, punchy, and a bit mysterious… like the uncle who suddenly starts dancing at family BBQs.
Ingredients:
- 60ml dark rum
- Ginger beer
- Lime wedge
Why it works: The spicy ginger kick plays beautifully with grilled lamb or smoked wings. Keep these flowing.
Tips for Pairing Cocktails with BBQ
- Balance rich meats with citrusy or bitter cocktails
- Smoky flavours? Echo them in your drinks with mezcal, Scotch, or liquid smoke
- Hot days? Keep it long, cold, and refreshing (hi, Mojito and Paloma)
- Night cookups call for the slow sippers. Old Fashioneds and Manhattans for the win
Final Sips
BBQ isn’t just about the meat, it’s about the experience. The fire, the friends, the flavours… and yeah, the drinks. These ten cocktails are built for bold palates, slow cooks, and making memories around the flames.
So this World Cocktail Day, don’t just stick to beer (though we love a cold one too). Mix things up, shake things down, and toast to the good stuff.
Cheers, legends. 🔥🥃🍹
If you try any of these, tag me on Instagram @ollies_q I wanna see what you’re mixing with your meat!
A great mix of drinks there. Love that the dark and stormy made it in that list too!
Thanks mate! Thought you’d appreciate the Dark & Stormy. Do Bundy still do the premix bottles?