Every summer we go hog wild over cooking up food on the grill. Burgers, ribs, vegetable skewers, you name it and we're grilling it. The one thing you're probably not grilling, but should be, is your cocktail. Grilled cocktails are the perfect libation to accompany all those yummy foods you're tossing on the barbecue. Infusing it with a smoky char and enhancing the flavor of your ingredients, utilizing the grill for your cocktail can elevate it to the next level.
Next time you gather with your friends for a cookout, try one of these stellar grilled cocktail recipes. From a spicy margarita to a sweet sangria, there's a summertime grilled cocktail out there for everyone.
1. Grilled Pineapple Strawberry Sangria
It wouldn't be sangria without all pieces of fruit soaking up all that booze. This summer, when you're making your sangria with thick, juicy pieces of pineapple, try grilling it first. Grilled pineapple has a sweeter, smoky flavor that pairs beautiful with this white wine sangria.
2. Grilled Peach and Rosemary Prosecco
I simply adore grilled peaches. They're terrific paired with ice cream, wrapped in proscuitto, and even on their own. But using them in a cocktail with prosecco? Now that's even better.
This recipe calls for making a fresh puree out of grilled peaches and a homemade rosemary infused simple syrup. Add some prosecco and a rosemary sprig for garnish, and you have an elevated bellini your friends will love.
3. Grilled Lemon Rose Vodka Cocktail
I love grilled lemons. I love them even more in my cocktail. To mix up this summertime drink, pour vodka into a cocktail glass. Add a dash of homemade rosemary honey simple syrup, fresh rose water, tart cherry juice, and grilled lemon. Give it a good stir, plop in a few ice cubes, and imbibe away.
4. Grilled Pineapple and Jalapeño Mezcal Margarita
If sweet and spicy is your thing then you will be elated about this grilled pineapple margarita. To begin, you'll need to infuse tequila with a jalapeño pepper and let that sit. Next, heat up the grill and toss on some pineapple rings until they develop some nice grill marks. Toss that in a blender with the infused tequila, mezcal, fresh lime juice, and a dash of honey. Pour into a cocktail glass and serve with grilled pineapple for garnish.
5. Grilled Tomato and Toasted Chili Cocktail
This summer trade in your bloody mary for this tomato based cocktail. A little smoky and spicy, it's what you want from a bloody mary with the refreshing qualities you need in the summer.
In order to get the full smoke effect, grill some chili peppers and steep them in mezcal. Then place tomatoes cut side down on a hot grill until they are charred and juicy. The chilis and the tomatoes will get muddled together then strained. Add lime, coriander, and a few dash of Worcestershire to top it all off.
6. Grilled Lemon Passionfruit and Chili Cocktail
If you're really looking to experiment with a grilled cocktail, then give this recipe a try. Extract the juice from fresh passionfruit, grill lemons, infuse vodka with chilies, and mix it together with some simple syrup. It's tropical, it's spicy, and it's grilled.
7. Grilled Grapefruit and Sage Cocktail
Grilled fruit is the way to go and this recipe proves it. A twist on the margarita, grapefruit slices are caramelized on the grill to bring out their natural sweetness. One slice is then placed in a cocktail glass and muddled with sage, honey, and salt. That's all topped with tequila, a splash of lime juice, and sage for garnish. Bring out your inner bartender and mix a few of these up for your friends.
8. Smoky Grapefruit Gin and Tonic
Making this summertime drink recipe is as simple as making a G&T with one additional step added, grilling. But hey, you've already got the grill going. So throw on a grapefruit half cut side down, squeeze it into your gin and tonic, and cheers to the nice summer day.
This post was originally published on August 7, 2018.
