The weather might be cooling down in the UK at the moment, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy National BBQ Week. If it's not raining it's barbecue time, but if you really want to make the most of your next barbecue party, there's a few things you need to make sure you get right.
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Get creative on a budget
Burgers and hotdogs are always a must, but if you want to throw a really impressive barbecue dinner, you just need a little imagination. Make steaks and chicken fillets go further by making kebabs with tomato, peppers, onion, mushroom and halloumi. Season with mixed spice packets or brush with a barbecue glaze like Jack Daniel's sweet and delicious Tennessee Honey glaze, which is infused with Tennessee Honey Liqueur, or the subtle yet tasty Smokey Sweet Barbecue Glaze.
Also, consider making your own burgers from scratch using cheap mince. They're easily pepped up by mixing in garlic, chilli, onion or a variety of your favourite herbs. No-one need know it's not an Aberdeen Angus!
Vegan Options
If you've got vegan friends or family but you're planning a meat extravaganza for your barbecue party, it needn't be a problem. If you have a large grill, set aside half the space for grilling vegan sausages and veggie burgers - or you can pick up a cheap diposable barbecue so you know for sure there's no 'cross-contamination'.
There are so many vegan supplements for meat out there now so there's no excuse not to invite your meat-free friends. Plus, things like aubergine, courgette and asparagus taste amazing off the grill, and tofu kebabs will earn you some serious brownie points. Meanwhile, make sure you have a selection of cold nibbles such as potato salad with vegan mayonnaise, chips and dips and plenty of fresh fruit.
The Condiments
For those of us that like to get extra when it comes to our BBQ food, a good condiment is what makes it extra special. We'd recommend the Jack Daniel's range of barbecue sauces including the Smooth Original Barbecue Sauce and the Full Flavor Smokey Barbecue Sauce. Made from real Jack Daniel's Tennessee whisky, they'll make any ordinary dish a mouth-watering delight with one serving.
All JD sauces are suitable for vegetations, plus they're virtually fat-free at only 40 calories per 25g so the summer body you've been working on is in virtually no danger there. And at only £2.00, they're an absolute steal. You can pick them up at most Sainsbury's, Tesco, Asda and Waitrose stores.
The Drinks
Beer, wine, gin and tonic, rum and coke... Drinks can get pretty predictable at a party. Make it more exciting by setting up a makeshift cocktail bar in your garden. Encourage guests to bring bottles along (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and get them inventing their own cocktails or recreating some of the classics.
Not only will this entertain the guests, but they'll also likely end up serving each other drinks so that's one less thing for you to worry about. And the younger guests won't feel left out from the adult fun because they can also have fun mixing mocktails.
Entertainment
You don't have to go all out and hire a band/DJ/magician/belly-dancer, people are generally good at entertaining themselves in the right setting. Invest in some fun garden games that both adults and children can enjoy, like giant Jenga, Twister, pinata smashing and maybe even set up a scavenger hunt. If there are no kids at your party, few things are more fun than a smutty card game like Cards Against Humanity or What Do You Meme?.
Sustainability
There's nothing cool about serving one-use cutlery, plates and cups at your barbecue unless they are 100% biodegradeable. Still, a better option would be to invest in some multi-use plastic plates/cutlery/cups etc. That way you don't even have to think about these things by the time your next party comes round, because you'll already have a stash from this one.
You'll still end up with a lot of empty cans and bottles, so make sure you clearly label where the recyclable waste goes and where the general waste goes so you're not tempted to give up when it comes to sorting through it later.
The Music
Getting the music right is critical to the success of any party. You want a mix of mellow tunes and floor-fillers to match the mood of your guests, but the best summer party songs are the ones that make you think of tropical holidays and sunshine. We've included our own ultimate barbecue party playlist to start you off.
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