Celebrate Labor Day Weekend with a Labor Day BBQ Cocktail

Labor Day WeekendHaving a Labor Day weekend barbecue is one of the highlights of summer for some people. Friends and family gathered together to share some good food and good cocktails, reminiscing about all the fun they’ve had over the past two months. Kids running around while the adults sit back and take a minute to just be still and enjoy life.

This Labor Day 2016 (September 5th for those without a calendar) be sure to have some really fun, refreshing BBQ cocktails on hand. Why settle for beer or a typical whiskey on the rocks when you can indulge in something more creative?

And creative doesn’t have to mean more work as you will see from the handful of booze-filled recipes listed below.

BBQ Cocktail Recipe Must-Haves for Labor Day

The following drinks are all labor-free recipes because who wants to be slaving in the kitchen on the last weekend of summer? Enjoy creating these refreshing drinks and then sit back and relax!

Summer Julius

The creaminess of milk and juice make this drink frothy and utterly delightful. It can easily be turned into a mocktail for the kids or anyone who doesn’t drink alcohol.

  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 6-ounce can of frozen orange juice concentrate
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 1/2 cup ice
  • 4 oz. vodka

Pour the ingredients into a blender and mix until slushy. Serve immediately so it doesn’t melt.

Frozen Navels

Fuzzy navels are a popular cocktail so this is a summer twist on an already bar favorite.

  • 1 46 ounce can frozen orange juice concentrate, softened
  • 2 cup frozen peaches
  • 2 cup peach schnapps
  • 1/2 cup orange liquor
  • Sliced peaches

Pulse the orange juice concentrate in a blender, and then add the frozen peaches, schnapps, and orange liquor. Blend just until smooth. Pour into glasses and garnish with fresh (or frozen even) peach slices.

Wine Slushies

Wine and fruit make a great pairing so think of this as an adult slushie!

  • 1 pound frozen peaches
  • 3 cups pinot grigio
  • 1 pound frozen strawberries
  • 2 fresh strawberries

Blend the peaches with 1 1/2 cups pinot grigio until smooth. Pour the mixture into a container. Blend the strawberries and the rest of the pinot grigio until smooth. Grab a glass and fill it up halfway with the frozen peach mixture, then add the frozen strawberry mixture, spooning it on top. Garnish with strawberries.

Pina Colada

If you love pineapple and the creaminess of coconut you are sure to love this smooth summer drink. It can be made virgin as well and still taste delicious.

  • 4 ounces spiced rum
  • 4 ounces coconut milk
  • 1/3 cup pineapple chunks
  • a splash of pineapple juice
  • 1 cup ice
  • 2 maraschino cherries (optional)

Combine the rum, coconut milk, pineapple chunks and juice in a blender with the ice, and blend until smooth. Pour into glasses and garnish with pineapple and a cherry.

Any, or all, of the above will be wonderful additions to the grilling that is sure to be done this Labor Day weekend.

Drink responsibly, and enjoy!


Sources:
Handler, R., “Pina Colada,” delish web site, February 6, 2009; http://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a4262/pina-colada-drinks-cocktails/, last accessed September 1, 2016.
“These 39 Summer Cocktails Belong On Your Drinking Bucket List,” delish web site, July 1, 2016; http://www.delish.com/entertaining/g2163/summer-cocktails/?slide=1, last accessed September 1, 2016.