Easy Summer Drink Recipes for Your Memorial Day BBQ

Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time for backyard BBQs and outdoor gatherings with friends and family. And what better way to celebrate this unofficial-start-of-summer holiday than with some refreshing cocktails and mocktails? Whether you are hosting a big party or small get-together, these easy-to-make summer drink recipes are sure to please everyone.

4 Cocktail Recipes for Your Memorial Day BBQ

1. Make a Wings and Rings-Inspired Margarita

Just like the signature Wings and Rings version on our drinks menu, a classic margarita drink recipe is perfect for any summer gathering. Because it has only a few ingredients, be sure to use good tequila, and fresh citrus to really brighten up this cocktail.  

Make It at Home 

Served over ice with a salt-rimmed glass. 

2 oz. Tequila 

1 oz. fresh lime juice 

1 oz. fresh lemon juice (or another citrus of your choice) 

¼ oz. agave nectar 

2. Serve a Mango Mule That’s Made for Summer

Why not go for a tropical twist on a classic Moscow Mule? The secret to crafting a great mule is to make sure you use a smooth vodka and ginger beer, not ginger ale. Ginger ale will make you cocktail overly sweet, which is not what you want here. Then adding in tropical flavors like mango (or whatever other fruit flavors you want, make it your own!) is a great way to upgrade this drink into a true summer sipper. 

Make It at Home 

Served over ice, preferably in a copper mug. 

1.5 oz. Vodka 

1 oz. fresh lime juice 

1 oz. mango puree infused syrup* 

Top off with ginger beer 

Finish with fresh mint 

*Note: You can buy this premade at your local grocer or make your own at home (combine 1 cup mango, 1 cup water, and 1 cup sugar and simmer for 1 hour, then strain). 

3. Liven It Up with Vodka Lemonade

When summer hits, there’s nothing quite as refreshing a glass of lemonade. Inspired by our popular Tito’s Lonestar Lemonade off our drinks menu, you can brighten up your Memorial Day party with this cocktail for your BBQ. This alcoholic lemonade is super easy to mix up in minutes, plus you can make it by the glass or make it by the pitcher for big parties. 

Make It at Home 

Serve over ice and scale to how you want to serve. 

2 parts Vodka 

2 parts lemonade 

Float with sliced lemons 

Note: For extra fruit flavor, add fruit puree infused syrup you can buy at your local grocer or make at home (combine 1 cup fruit, 1 cup water, and 1 cup sugar and simmer for 1 hour, then strain). 

4. Punch Up the Menu with a Peach Whiskey Smash

Boldly boozy and fruity, whiskey-based smash cocktails are a way to get your Memorial Day party going. Inspired by our own signature Peach Whiskey Smash, muddling in sweet summer fruit flavors perfectly complements the oak and caramel undertones of your favorite whiskey. Watch yourself though, this drink is a strong one. 

Make It at Home 

Shake and serve over ice. 

1.5 oz. parts whiskey 

1 oz. peach puree infused syrup* 

A squeeze of lemon for freshness 

*Note: You can buy this premade at your local grocer or make your own at home (combine 1 cup peach, 1 cup water, and 1 cup sugar and simmer for 1 hour, then strain). 

4 Mocktail Recipes for Your Memorial Day BBQ

1. Cheers with a Cherry Fruity Refresher

Fresh, fruity, and refreshing (it’s in the name), a Fruity Cherry Refresher can be enjoyed by everyone at your Memorial Day gathering. With a vibrant red color and bright bold flavor, why not rep the red of the red, white, and blue with this fun drink inspired by a Wings and Rings favorite.  

Make It at Home 

Serve over ice and scale to how you want to serve. 

6 parts lemonade 

1 part Maraschino cherry juice 

Add sliced lemons and Maraschino cherries for garnish 

2. Keep It Chill with a Coconut Cooler

We can’t think of a better way to cool off in the summer heat. Serve up Coconut Coolers, inspired by the real deal on our drink menu, and enjoy refreshing, tropical flavors by the sip. This chilly white mocktail is great if you are looking for a change of pace from fruit-forward drinks at your Memorial Day party. 

Make It at Home 

Shake and serve over ice. 

2 oz. lemon-lime soda 

1.5 oz. fresh lime juice 

2 oz. cream of coconut mixer 

3. Blueberry Lemonade Is a Berry Blast

Infused with unique flavors, shoot ordinary lemonade to star status at your Memorial Day party. The drink takes inspiration from its cocktail counterpart as a non-alcoholic version of our popular spiked lemonade. Pairing up sweet and tart lemonade with bursts of blueberry flavor, this summer drink recipe is as delicious as it is refreshing. 

Make It at Home 

Serve over ice and scale to how you want to serve. 

6 parts lemonade 

1 part blueberry puree infused syrup* 

Add sliced lemons and blueberries for garnish 

*Note: You can buy this premade at your local grocer or make your own at home (combine 1 cup blueberry, 1 cup water, and 1 cup sugar and simmer for 1 hour, then strain). 

4. Toast the Weekend with Pop Rocking Lemonade

Fun and fizzy, this mocktail is like a fantastic firework spectacular. Make your own Pop Rocking Lemonade, based off our drink menu, for a drink with wow-factor at your Memorial Day bash. Customize with whatever flavors you want for your own house-version of this drink. 

Make It at Home 

Mix ingredients with ice and add Pop Rocks when you are ready to serve. 

3 parts lemon-lime soda 

2 parts strawberry puree infused syrup (or your fruit flavor of choice) 

Finish with a handful of Pop Rocks per glass 

Cheers This Memorial Day with Help from Wings and Rings

We’re sure any of these easy-to-make summer drinks recipes are sure to be a hit at Memorial Day BBQ or summer gathering. Whether you're sipping on a classic margarita or enjoying a refreshing mocktail, we can’t think of a better way to kick off a summer filled with good drinks, good food, and good company! 

But when you’re not throwing your own backdoor bash, you can always bring the party to Wings and Rings. You can enjoy all the drinks above at our bar. And they go great with our signature chicken wings and onion rings of course. Visit us this summer at any of our locations or you can always place an online order for Wing and Rings when you’re on the go. Happy Memorial Day and we can’t wait to see you soon!