How to Throw the Best Backyard Barbecue

Now that summer is just around the corner, it’s time to get outside and enjoy the warm weather.

The best way to do this is to bring all of your friends and family together and throw a barbecue in your backyard. You can do this for a holiday, special occasion, or just on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Mow the lawn, clean the pool, fire up the grill, and get ready to start planning your backyard barbecue bash.

The best part about a casual afternoon barbecue is that they’re simple to pull off. There’s no need for fancy food or cocktails, and you can wear shorts or a swimsuit all day if you’d like. All you need is a little planning and preparation beforehand to make sure it’s a success.

Food

The essential food staple to a backyard barbecue is meat. You can choose from chicken, steak, ribs, hamburgers, hot dogs, or have all the above! You can have as much meat as your grill top will allow you to. To ensure that your meet has ultimate flavor, make sure to marinate it ahead of time. If any of your guests are vegetarians, add some veggie burgers or portabello mushrooms to the menu for them.

It’s also important to make sure you have the right condiments. You’ll need the traditional ketchup and mustard, as well as some vegetable garnishes for your juicy burgers and hot dogs. As for your other meats, you’ll want to have a selection of hot and barbecue sauces to delight your guests as well.

Since the meat is the main dish, keep all the other foods simple. Have a few appetizers like chips and dip or a vegetable platter to start. Then, once you’ve grilled up the meat, have a fresh salad and some corn on the cob to go with it.

Drinks

To ensure that your backyard barbecue goes as smoothly as possible, make sure you have plenty to drink and make it easily accessible. Beer works well in this case. Buying a keg or putting some bottles and cans in a cooler allows your guests to refresh when necessary. Make sure buy plenty of ice to combat the hot day.

Another great self-serve drink is sangria. All you need to make this fruity concoction is a few bottles of your favorite wine (red or white), some fresh sliced fruit, and some orange juice to make this simple yet sweet drink for your party. You can make it in large quantities so it’s the perfect drink to put in a pitcher or a large bowl, and your guests can serve themselves.

If you’re having guests that are under 21, don’t forget to pick up some soft drinks for them to enjoy.

Entertainment

If you’re lucky enough to have a pool in your backyard, that serves enough for entertainment. Just remind your guests to bring a swimsuit and a towel so that they can swim in the water all day without dripping all over your floor.

If you don’t have a pool, or if you want other sources of entertainment, there are plenty of yard games that you can set up. Set out a wiffle ball and bat, a bean bag toss, or a croquet set for your guest to enjoy on grassy areas.

Now that you know the basics for a backyard barbecue, it’s time to go shopping. Julio’s Liquors has all the supplies and alcohol you’ll need for a successful summer party. To add some flavor to your grill, check out our Burn Center. We have over 350 types of hot sauces, rubs, marinades, spicy condiments, and a selection of out of the ordinary barbecue sauces that will be sure to compliment your tender meats. If you’re looking to buy beer in bulk we also offer an extensive keg selection. Check out our keg types at Julio’s to see the prices of our in-stock and special order kegs. We’re located off Route 9 in Westbourough, MA, so come by to check out all we have to offer.