The Perfect Memorial Day BBQ

There are several key ingredients to the perfect Memorial Day BBQ – mouth watering food, warm sunny weather, good company, and delicious cocktails! 

Below, I’ve provided recipes for a succulent, homemade BBQ sauce recipe from Sparkling ICE, as well as festive cocktail and dessert recipes from or friends at  VOGA Italia Wines and RealBeanz Iced Coffee.

Fire up the Grill

Succulent BBQ Sauce

Yield – 2 cups

Prep Time – 10 minutes

Cook Time – 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 bottle Raspberry Lemonade Sparkling ICE
• 1 white onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 fresh jalapeños, minced
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ cup ketchup
• 4 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• One 6 oz. can of tomato paste
• ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Liquid Smoke
• 3 tablespoons scotch, whiskey, or bourbon (optional)

Directions

1. Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan and add the onion, garlic, and jalapeño.  Lightly sauté on a low flame for 5 minutes.
2. Add the tomato paste, ketchup, and mustard to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes stirring continuously.
3. Pour 1 bottle Raspberry Lemonade Sparkling ICE to the saucepan and stir until all ingredients are combined.
4. Add balsamic vinegar and liquid smoke.  Simmer for 25 minutes.
5. Before you strain the sauce, mix in 3 tablespoons of your favorite scotch, whiskey, or bourbon (optional).
6. Push sauce through a fine mesh strainer.

Get the party started

American the Blue-tiful

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz White rum
• 1 oz Blue curacao
• 3 oz Lemonade Sparkling ICE
• Fresh berries (for garnish)
• Ice

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients into a blender and blend on high until it becomes slushy.
2. Pour into a chilled glass and garnish with a fresh berries.

Star Spangled Spritzer 

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz Peach Schnapps
• 1 oz. Agave nectar
• 3 oz VOGA Sparkling
• Fresh berries and Peach Slices (for garnish)
• Ice

Directions:

1. Combine Peach Schnapps and Agave Nectar in a shake and shake vigorously
2. Pour into a chilled glass and top with VOGA Sparkling
3. Garnish with fresh peaches and raspberries

American Dream

Ingredients:

• 3 oz. RealBeanz Mocha
• 2 oz. raspberry liqueur
• 1 oz. vodka
• Frozen Raspberries

Directions:

1. Add RealBeanz Mocha, Raspberry liqueur, vodka, and crushed iced to a shaker and shake vigorously
2. Pour into martini glass and garnish with frozen raspberries

End with Something Sweet

ICE Pop Sparklers for the Whole Family!

Ingredients:

• Ice Cube Tray (or your favorite ice pop making molds)
• Toothpicks or popsicle sticks
• 1 bottle Black Raspberry Sparkling ICE
• 1 container of fresh raspberries, chopped

Directions:

1. Fill you trays or molds with Sparkling ICE, topping each with a scoop of chopped raspberries.
2. If using ice cube trays cover tray tightly with tin foil.
3. Poke a popsicle stick through the foil into each cube.
4. If using an ice pop maker place the handle sticks into the molds.
5. Place in the freezer for about 2 hours or until frozen.
6. This recipe works with any of your favorite Sparkling ICE flavors and fresh fruit. Enjoy!

Thank you Sparkling ICE,  VOGA Italia Wines and  RealBeanz Iced Coffee for sharing these recipes with us!

Happy Memorial Day!

Self Disclosure: No compensation received. I will be receiving samples to try out these recipes but wanted to post them in time for the holiday! Photo Credit: Sparkling Ice, VOGA Italia Wines and RealBeanz Iced Coffee.