No BBQ menu is complete without cocktails! Check out these options to sip while you’re grilling and enjoy alongside charcuterie or the main event.
What are the best cocktails for BBQ parties?
The goal for BBQ cocktails is easy, batchable, and adaptable. Any hosting event—from a casual backyard hang to a grad party—is controlled chaos. You’re setting everything up, grabbing snacks, and (hopefully) making sure nothing burns, all while keeping your guests’ glasses topped off. Serving cocktails that are easy to scale for a crowd is key. Savory Bloody Marys complement charred meats with spice, acidity, and umami, while citrus-forward cocktails like margaritas balance smoky grilled foods.
Even better? You can make both in batches ahead of time.
How can I make a batch of Bloody Marys?
Demitri’s Bloody Mary Seasonings are crafted with consistency in mind. You don’t have to meticulously measure the spices and risk going too heavy on Worcestershire or too light on horseradish. Demitri’s Seasonings take care of the hard part, so you can easily create restaurant-quality Bloodys for any event this season.
Easiest batched Bloody Mary recipe (serves 8):
Ingredients:
-
Lime wedges
-
Demitri’s Original or Bacon Rimshot Rim Salt
-
32 ounces tomato juice
-
3-5 tablespoons Demitri’s Bloody Mary Seasoning
-
16 ounces quality vodka
-
Ice
Directions:
-
Moisten the rim of all your glasses with lime wedges, then press each glass into a saucer of Demitri’s Rimshot.
-
Combine Demitri’s Bloody Mary Seasoning with tomato juice, vodka, and ice in a large pitcher. Use a spoon to gently combine all the ingredients.
-
Pour a serving into each glass.
-
Garnish, squeeze lime on top, and enjoy!
How can I set up a DIY Bloody Mary bar for a party?
Bloody Mary bars are super customizable and a surefire hit with your guests.
Tips for setting up a Bloody Mary bar:
-
Mix and match: Let your guests try all four Demitri’s Bloody Mary Seasonings. Classic Recipe is great for traditionalists, Chilies & Peppers for people who want it a little spicier, Chipotle Habanero for those who want it a lot spicier, and Extra Horseradish for umami lovers. You can even make mini Bloody Mary flights to taste each seasoning.
-
Offer a non-alcoholic Bloody Mary: Letting people add their own alcohol or skip it entirely is an easy way to customize drinks while still enjoying the Bloody Mary flavors.
-
Set out an array of garnish: Let the crudités do double duty! Put out fresh celery, carrots, beans, pickled veggies, and herbs as the cherry on top.
-
Turn it into a friendly competition: Who doesn’t love a little entertainment? See who can make the most creative Bloody Mary and crown a winner.
What’s an easy margarita recipe to make in a batch for a BBQ?
Margaritas are a summer BBQ staple. You can make a pitcher in a snap with minimal ingredients, plus you can easily elevate a classic marg with seasonal add-ins like pineapple or watermelon.
Crafted with all-natural ingredients, Demitri’s Margarita Mixes are a great choice at a BBQ because they taste like you squeezed fresh lime without actually needing to. They have no preservatives, gluten, or high-fructose corn syrup—just bright, crisp, complex flavors for a premium marg.
Classic margarita pitcher recipe (serves 8):
Ingredients:
-
2 cups tequila
-
3 cups Demitri’s Margarita Mix: Traditional Organic or 38 Calorie
-
2 to 4 ounces Cointreau
-
Ice
-
Lime wedge
-
Demitri’s Margarita Rimshot Rim Salt
Directions:
-
Rim each glass with lime and dip in salt
-
Shake tequila, margarita mix, and Cointreau with ice
-
Strain over fresh ice and garnish with lime
How can I use Bloody Mary Seasoning as a BBQ marinade?
Demitri’s Bloody Mary Seasonings multitask like a pro: great for drinking and for all your grilling needs. They spice up sauces, marinades, salad dressings, adding top-level flavors to sides and mains alike.
If you’ve never used Bloody Mary Seasonings as a marinade, you’re missing out. The horseradish, Worcestershire, citrus, and spices add savory depth, acidity, and heat to enhance caramelization on the grill. Use enough to evenly coat your meat, let it sit like you would any other marinade, and grill it up.
Ways to use Demitri’s Bloody Mary Seasonings:
-
Classic Recipe: Marinate chicken or steak for a tangy, spicy, robust entrée. Grilled chicken skewers are always a hit.
-
Chilies & Peppers: Make a spicy aioli dip for meat, veggies, or potatoes.
-
Extra Horseradish: Homemade Caesar dressing is a must, and a dash of Extra Horseradish really levels it up—so good you could drink it.
-
Chipotle Habanero: Use it as a marinade for skirt or flank steak to bring the heat. Try it on fajitas or a steak salad made with local produce.
Another win: All of these dishes taste even better with a Bloody Mary or marg in hand.
What BBQ foods should I pair with Bloody Marys and margaritas?
-
Spicy Bloody Mary with smoked brisket: The acidity, horseradish, and spice pair well with smoky beef.
-
Pineapple margarita with grilled shrimp tacos: This flavor combo feels light, bright, and extra refreshing.
-
Classic Bloody Mary with burgers: You can’t go wrong with two classics.
-
Jalapeño margarita with a summer corn salad: The freshness of the salad adds a nice contrast to the heat of the marg.
Demitri’s makes it easy to create versatile cocktails that taste great, come together in minutes, and elevate any BBQ into a celebration.
