Summer BBQ Cocktails to Try on Your Broil King®
BBQ season is about more than just great food. This summer, outdoor entertaining is all about creating the full experience - incredible grilling, relaxed evenings, and refreshing cocktails made right alongside the food.
At Broil King, we love finding ways to bring flavour to the grill, and cocktails are no exception. From grilled fruit margaritas to crisp gin serves, using your BBQ to caramelise fruit and add smoky depth takes summer drinks to another level.
Whether you’re hosting friends for a garden gathering or enjoying a quiet evening outdoors, these BBQ-inspired cocktails are the perfect addition to your summer setup.
Watermelon Margarita
Nothing says summer quite like watermelon.
Fresh, juicy, and incredibly refreshing, watermelon becomes even sweeter when lightly grilled. The heat enhances the fruit’s natural sugars while adding subtle smoky flavour that works perfectly with tequila and lime.
A grilled watermelon margarita is bright, citrusy, and ideal for warm evenings outdoors. Serve over ice with a chilli-salt rim for the perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and spicy.
Perfect with:
- Grilled shrimp
- Mahi Mahi with Mango Salsa
- Al Pastor Tacos
- BBQ chicken
- Fresh summer salads
Click for Recipe:
Apple Gin Fizz
For something lighter and more botanical, the Apple Gin Fizz is a summer favourite.
Grilled apple slices bring a gentle caramel sweetness that pairs beautifully with gin, citrus, and sparkling cider. Fresh thyme or rosemary adds an aromatic finish that feels perfectly suited to outdoor entertaining.
This cocktail is crisp, refreshing, and ideal for long afternoons in the garden.
Perfect with:
- Grilled chicken
- Seafood
- Halloumi skewers
- Summer salads
Click for Recipe:
Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail
The Paloma has become one of the standout cocktails of summer BBQ season, and for good reason.
Grilling grapefruit softens its bitterness and creates a deeper citrus flavour that pairs perfectly with tequila. The result is a cocktail that feels fresh, smoky, and incredibly refreshing all at once.
Add sparkling soda, fresh lime, and plenty of ice for an easy BBQ drink that works with almost any summer menu.
Perfect with:
- Pork tacos
- BBQ chicken
- Grilled seafood
- Charred vegetables
- Spicy BBQ chicken
- Fresh guacamole and tortilla chips
Click for Recipe:
Grilled Pineapple Margarita
If you’re looking for a cocktail that feels made for the BBQ, this is it.
Pineapple caramelises beautifully on the grill, creating rich sweetness and subtle smoky flavour that transforms a classic margarita into something truly special.
Combined with tequila, lime, and a touch of agave, the grilled pineapple margarita is bold, tropical, and packed with summer flavour.
For extra BBQ character, try serving with a smoked salt or Tajín rim.
Perfect with:
- Jerk chicken
- BBQ ribs
- Pulled pork
- Pineapple-glazed dishes
Click for Recipe:
Why Grilled Cocktails Work So Well
Using the grill for cocktails might sound unusual at first, but the results speak for themselves.
Grilling fruit:
- Enhances sweetness
- Adds smoky depth
- Intensifies flavour
- Creates beautiful presentation
- Pairs naturally with BBQ food
It’s also an easy way to make outdoor entertaining feel more elevated without adding complexity.
Turn Your BBQ Into the Ultimate Summer Hosting Space
The best BBQs are about atmosphere as much as food.
Adding cocktails to your grilling setup helps create a complete outdoor experience where guests can relax, socialise, and enjoy flavours straight from the grill.
A few simple additions can make a big difference:
- Fresh herbs for garnish
- Grilled citrus slices
- Large ice-filled pitchers
- Chilli or smoked salt rims
- Fresh seasonal fruit
And because many cocktail ingredients can be prepared directly on your Broil King grill, everything stays centred around the BBQ.
Fire Up the Grill This Summer
This summer, don’t stop at grilling dinner.
From refreshing watermelon margaritas to smoky grapefruit Palomas and crisp apple gin fizz cocktails, there are endless ways to bring bold flavour to your drinks using your Broil King.
Fire up the grill, grab your favourite ingredients, and make this summer’s BBQs unforgettable - one cocktail at a time.
