Raise the bar(becue) with this cocktail & food pairing

Author: The Bar Team

A bottle of Bulleit Bourbon, a pitcher of iced tea, two glasses with lemon and mint, utensils, and a citrus squeezer on a yellow table with a checkered cloth.

Summer entertaining is all about grilling and easy batched cocktails. This cocktail recipe and food pairing menu will inspire your outdoor hosting all season.

It’s officially grilling season. Which means taking all your get-togethers outdoors for the next few months. Of course, with more grilling also comes a need for more large-format cocktails that pair perfectly with what you’re firing up.

The drink

Peach Tea Bulleit Bourbon Punch

In this Peach Tea Bulleit Bourbon Punch, Bulleit Bourbon is married with peach tea, honey and lemon. This classic flavor combo is sure to leave guests asking for another round. Plus, it works great with steaks, burgers and hot dogs, as well as shareable sides and appetizers.

Get the Recipe

Two glasses of iced tea garnished with lemon slices, peach wedges, and mint sprigs sit on a yellow table next to a blue plate and silver cutlery.

In this recipe

Engravable

Bulleit

Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey

750ml

Other Colors Available

Four ribbed glass tumblers in varying shades of green are arranged side by side against a plain background.

LSA International

Gems Tumbler, Set of Four

Jade

Other Colors Available

Seven identical white rods with green circular ends are arranged in a fan shape against a black background.

The Bar

Glass Cocktail Picks

Green

Esquites (Mexican corn salad)

Other Colors Available

A rectangular wooden serving board with natural grain patterns and one corner decorated with white and metallic resin.

Pipsqueak

Olive Wood Cutting Board

Black

Four white napkins with colorful piñata illustrations; two say FIESTA! and two show a resting piñata with the word SIESTA. Confetti surrounds the piñatas.

August Morgan

Cocktail Napkins, Fiesta Siesta

Clear glass bowl with rounded sides and two blue spherical handles on opposite sides, against a plain black background.

Maison Balzac

Dotdot Bowl, Smoke & Blue

Rectangular turquoise tray with scalloped edges and cutout handles on each side, shown against a black background.

Addison Ross

Large Scalloped Edge Tray, Turquoise

A person in a yellow floral dress holds a plate of watermelon and melon slices by a pool, while another hand offers a glass with a drink.

Watermelon salad

You could, of course, just snack on watermelon at a summer cookout — or you can elevate this hot-weather staple with a tasty salad. Feta, cucumber, balsamic vinegar and red onion is all you need to turn the simple watermelon slice into a cookout crowd-pleaser.

Summertime Essentials

Other Colors Available

The Bar

Glass Cocktail Picks

Green

A wicker picnic basket with secured plates and cutlery in the lid, an empty main compartment, plus two cups, a lemon, and a plate placed outside the basket.

Sunnylife

Small Picnic Basket

Seven colorful reusable glass straws, each with a bent neck, are arranged side by side against a plain black background.

Our Dining Table

Reusable Colored Glass Straws, Set of 8

A clear glass cup with a metallic copper-colored lid featuring a small loop on top, set against a plain light background.

Nude

Hepburn Shaker with Metal Top

A rectangular plaid wool blanket with orange, blue, yellow, and brown checks, featuring fringe on the edges and a navy blue corner lining.

Tartan Blanket Co.

Tartan Picnic Blanket

The Bar Team

The Bar Team is a group of behind-the-scenes writers, bartenders and drinks lovers who share tips, trends and easy how-tos. We mix real bar experience with a love of great drinks to help you try new ideas, learn and get inspired.