How to Throw the Best Summer BBQ

The first day of summer is almost here! For many of us that means the kids are out of school, spiking temperatures and numerous days by the pool. It also means that it’s time for a party to celebrate summer! We’ve got you covered on how to throw the best summer BBQ, hands down. Read on for some easy to execute tips and tricks to plan the perfect summer gathering.

Go Potluck Style

No one said you have to cook everything on your own! Use your resources (AKA your guests) and delegate. Everyone loves a potluck! Your guests get to show off their favorite dish and everyone has the chance to try new delicacies. As the host, plan to handle the meats and beverages, and then leave the rest up to your party guests! It’s simple. Send out a short and sweet email invitation to all of your friends, enticing them with the promise of grilled meats and cold drinks, and asking them to bring side dishes and drinks to share. For a laid-back BBQ, there’s no shame in asking for help—most people like to contribute what they can, even if it’s just a bag of chips and a six-pack.

Offer a Variety of Beverages

BBQs and beer go together like peas and carrots, but we can never resist the urge to craft a signature cocktail! There’s no occasion more appropriate for a festive drink than a backyard party. In addition to stocking our coolers with ice and brews, plan to whip up a pitcher of Sunset Punch, compliments of Food and Wine. Mix together bourbon, lemon, vermouth, ginger beer, and sugar, and you’ve basically created the perfect summer-y, spiked lemonade in a cup. And be sure to have a separate cooler of waters and soft drinks, or a few pitchers of non-alcoholic lemonade for the kiddos.

Bust Out the Yard Games

Adults and kids alike will be thrilled to see that you have games at your party! Utilize your backyard space. Everyone loves activities. Appropriate BBQ games include (but are not limited to): croquet, horseshoes, corn hole, bocce ball, or badminton! Don’t have any of this equipment? Another fun DIY idea is lawn bowling: take 10 empty plastic soda bottles, fill them with water (add food coloring for extra pizzazz), and then just grab any ball and go for a strike!

Play Some Awesome Tunes

Nothing kills the mood like bad music or worse, no music at all! Make sure your party is bumping with some killer tunes. Pandora makes it easy to create stations based on artists you choose. And Spotify allows you the ability to actually build your own playlists or choose already created playlists based on mood, occasion, etc.

And know what doesn’t pair well with a summer BBQ? Mosquitoes! Be sure to give Mosquito Joe of North Atlanta a call today at 404-996-1381 to make sure your special event is covered and you don’t wind up with pesky, uninvited guests. Happy Summer!