Cocktail Companions for Grilling Season

To paraphrase the words of a famous prince, “summertime is a time to sit back and unwind”—unless you’re the one who’s perpetually hosting, or grilling, or mixing drinks, or all of the above. Fret not, however, because preparing these cocktails is a breeze, the recipes are proven winners, and the joy of savoring them with favorite grilled foods is unmatched.

The trick of serving drinks for summer soirees is balance—you want cocktails that pair well with all things grilled, but you don’t want either the dish or the beverage to overwhelm the other. You don’t want a heavy drink in the summer heat, but it needs enough flavor to stand up to and complement grilled meats and other party foods.

With that in mind, here are some easy-to-make cocktails that offer expert-level flavors—each of them a candidate to become a new favorite throughout the grilling season.

Tropical and Spicy