The Ultimate Guide to Common Barbecue Foods and Summer Cocktails

Few things go together like the summer, barbecue, friends and family, and of course, BASEBALL!

Summer is synonymous with barbecues, where friends and family gather to enjoy delicious grilled foods and refreshing cocktails. Whether you’re hosting a backyard bash or a casual get-together, having the right mix of food and drinks is key to a memorable event. Here’s a guide to the most common barbecue foods for the summer, complete with detailed recipes for each dish and cocktail pairings.

Common Barbecue Foods

1. Classic Burgers
2. BBQ Ribs
3. Grilled Chicken
4. Corn on the Cob
5. Potato Salad

Detailed Recipes

Classic Burgers

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs ground beef (80% lean)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 6 hamburger buns
• Lettuce, tomato, cheese, pickles, and condiments for serving

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Patties: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, onion, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until combined.
2. Shape the Patties: Form the mixture into 6 patties, making a small indentation in the center of each to prevent puffing during cooking.
3. Grill: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Grill the patties for 4-5 minutes per side, or until cooked to your desired level of doneness.
4. Serve: Place the patties on buns and top with lettuce, tomato, cheese, pickles, and your favorite condiments.

BBQ Ribs

Ingredients:

• 2 racks of pork ribs
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 cup BBQ sauce

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Ribs: Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs. In a bowl, mix brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper. Rub this mixture all over the ribs.
2. Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill to 225°F (107°C).
3. Cook Low and Slow: Place the ribs on the grill and cook for 3-4 hours, or until the meat is tender and pulling away from the bones.
4. Sauce and Sear: Brush the ribs with BBQ sauce and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, turning and basting frequently.
5. Serve: Let the ribs rest for a few minutes before cutting and serving.

Grilled Chicken

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken breasts and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
2. Preheat the Grill: Preheat the grill to medium heat.
3. Grill: Cook the chicken breasts for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
4. Serve: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Corn on the Cob

Ingredients:

• 6 ears of corn, husked
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: fresh herbs, Parmesan cheese, lime juice

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
2. Grill the Corn: Place the corn on the grill and cook, turning occasionally, for about 10-15 minutes, or until charred and tender.
3. Season: Brush the corn with melted butter and season with salt and pepper. For extra flavor, sprinkle with fresh herbs, Parmesan cheese, or a squeeze of lime juice.

Potato Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons mustard
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped

Instructions:

1. Cook the Potatoes: Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender, about 10-15 minutes. Drain and let cool.
2. Mix the Salad: In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, mustard, celery, red onion, eggs, salt, and pepper. Add the cooled potatoes and mix until coated.
3. Chill: Refrigerate the potato salad for at least 1 hour before serving. Garnish with fresh dill.

Summer Cocktails

Classic Margarita

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila
• 1 oz lime juice
• 1 oz triple sec
• Salt for rimming the glass
• Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions:

1. Rim the Glass: Rub the rim of a glass with a lime wedge and dip in salt.
2. Mix the Drink: In a shaker, combine tequila, lime juice, and triple sec with ice. Shake well.
3. Serve: Strain into the prepared glass over ice and garnish with a lime wedge.

Mojito

Ingredients:

• 2 oz white rum
• 1 oz lime juice
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 6-8 fresh mint leaves
• Soda water
• Lime wedge and mint sprig for garnish

Instructions:

1. Muddle Mint and Sugar: In a glass, muddle the mint leaves with sugar and lime juice.
2. Add Rum and Ice: Add the rum and fill the glass with ice.
3. Top with Soda: Top with soda water and stir gently. Garnish with a lime wedge and mint sprig.

Watermelon Sangria

Ingredients:

• 4 cups watermelon, cubed
• 1 bottle white wine
• 1/2 cup vodka
• 1/4 cup triple sec
• 1/4 cup simple syrup
• Juice of 1 lime
• Mint leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. Blend Watermelon: Blend the watermelon cubes until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove pulp.
2. Mix Sangria: In a large pitcher, combine the watermelon juice, white wine, vodka, triple sec, simple syrup, and lime juice. Stir well.
3. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Serve over ice and garnish with mint leaves.

The key to being the life of the party is ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy! As the summer gets closer, make sure you have your barbecue plans ready to go!