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To cool down on a hot summer day around the BBQ, nothing beats a refreshingly cold cocktail! While the main attraction is usually the grilling, a barbecue wouldn't be complete without some refreshing drinks. With a few ingredients and a good blender, you can whip up classic or creative cocktails—fruity, tangy, a little spicy—anything is possible! We've compiled 15 easy-to-make recipes that require minimal effort. This summer, impress your guests with your mixology skills by offering them a refreshing and delicious frozen cocktail.
Making frozen cocktails doesn't require as much effort as you might think. Most of them can be prepared quickly in just a few minutes. Plus, frozen cocktails are also a great option for hosts because you can prepare them and store them in your freezer. So, when your guests arrive, simply take them out and serve them immediately.
Prefer to serve non-alcoholic drinks? Check out our full article on mocktails!
Some classic frozen cocktail recipes
When it comes to frozen cocktails, you can't go wrong with the classics. Here are some of the best classic cocktail recipes you can make for your next outdoor party.
Strawberry Daiquiri
This classic drink has a sweet and tangy flavor that's refreshing on a hot day. Make a Daiquiri by adding rum, lime juice, sugar, and ice to your blender. Garnish your glass with a fresh strawberry.
Gin Fizz
Simple yet effective, the Gin Fizz is a refreshing and easy-to-make cocktail with gin, lemon, and a little sugar. Add sparkling water or citrus soda to the glass for an extra touch of fizz.
Frozen Tequila Sunrise
The irresistible combination of tequila, orange juice, and grenadine, reinvented as a slushie for adults. This cocktail will transport you straight back to the 90s, the golden age of this drink, which is making a strong comeback on today's menus.
Piña Colada
The classic cocktail that embodies the warmth of the islands. Fruity and creamy, it's perfect as an aperitif. Blend rum, pineapple juice, coconut cream, and ice in a blender, then pour the mixture into a glass for a delicious frozen cocktail.
Mint Julep
This cocktail, made with Kentucky bourbon and mint, is perfect for cooling down on hot days. It's the ideal cocktail for lovers of rich and complex whiskeys and bourbons.
Some Creative Frozen Cocktail Recipes
These creative frozen cocktails are sure to surprise your guests! Sometimes just a few ingredients are all it takes to transform a well-known cocktail into an amazing recipe!
Frozen Mango and Jalapeno Margarita
Spicy cocktails are all the rage these days. Did you know that hot peppers are used in the cuisine of hot countries to cool down? Indeed, the spiciness makes anyone who eats them sweat and helps lower body temperature. A margarita with fruity mango and tangy, herbaceous jalapenos offers a complete heatwave remedy!
Iced berry sangria
Sangria is a perfect BBQ cocktail, but have you ever tried an iced version of this classic? Simply make red wine ice cubes and a no-cook syrup with brandy, orange liqueur, and sugar. Finally, blend everything with frozen berries, and voilà! Serve with fresh fruit pieces and citrus slices.
Frozen Watermelon Mojito
Fresh and minty, this classic Mojito is made with juicy watermelon for a touch of sweetness. The ingredient list is short: rum, watermelon, fresh mint, lime juice, sugar, and ice.
Fruit martinis are all the rage! The lychee martini is straight out of the '90s and it's still just as good today. It's simple to make, with only four ingredients: canned lychees, vodka, lime, and mint. Add a little ice, and there you have it!
Iced Aperol Spritz
The Italian cocktail that's been all the rage for the past few years, iced? Yes, please! Aperol is a low-alcohol aperitif made from all-natural ingredients, with a lovely fluorescent orange color and a bitter taste. This liqueur is mixed with white sparkling wine, traditionally Prosecco , a splash of sparkling water, and fresh orange slices. For the iced version, it's mixed with orange juice and ice. You can substitute Aperol with a similar liqueur from our own region, Amermelade.
A super simple cocktail in popsicle form, perfect as a digestif after a meal or as a mid-afternoon treat, why not?! Dark rum, cola and lime juice, nothing could be easier!
Frozen Cocktail Recipes That Pair Well with BBQ Grilling
Dare to serve your main meal with an iced drink. Flavor pairings aren't just for wine or beer!
Frozen Apple Martini
Showcase your bottle of Quebec ice cider! Make ice cubes and add them to vodka in your blender to make an apple slushie to accompany your BBQ pork tenderloin.
Raspberry Lemonade Daiquiri
A delicious lemon and raspberry Daiquiri adds a fruity and tangy touch to BBQ grilled meats. Serve with citrus-marinated chicken skewers and fresh herbs for a light meal.
White Peach Sangria
White peach sangria is a refreshing choice for hot summer days. Add fresh peaches and other seasonal fruits for a pop of color. Serve it with grilled white meats and corn salsa for a sophisticated meal.
Strawberry Frosé
Frosé is an icy cocktail made with rosé wine. This recipe adds an extra touch of freshness with strawberries and basil. Serve it with grilled tuna steaks for a stunning pairing!
Some garnishes to add a finishing touch to your frozen cocktails
Here are some tips to make your iced cocktails even more irresistible:
- Add fresh fruit, such as a slice of lemon, lime, orange, or a cherry, to the rim of the frozen cocktail to add color and freshness.
- Make a skewer of fresh fruit and herbs for a herbaceous touch. Basil, mint, and tarragon pair well with various tropical berries and fruits.
- For frozen cocktails like margaritas, use seasoned salt around the rim of the glass to accentuate the cocktail's salty flavor. A little chili powder, chili powder, or smoked paprika will add another layer of flavor to your drink.
- Make ice cubes with juice and alcohol so as not to dilute the taste of the drink with water. Add herbs, edible flowers, or pieces of fruit to embellish them.
These cocktails are perfect for adding a touch of sophistication to your summer BBQ. With a range of flavors and styles to choose from, there's something for every palate. Feel free to get creative with your garnishes or experiment with different spirits to customize the recipes to your preferences. Here's to a summer filled with fabulous cocktails by the BBQ, great food, and fun!
