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BBQ and Cocktails Are a Match Made in Summer Heaven

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Picture this: A Rocklands grill in your backyard, its bark glistening in the summer sun. The smell of slow smoked barbeque making its way over to you as you are awaiting your guests while sitting next to a tall glass filled with something bright and refreshing. 

We’ve spent over three decades perfecting our BBQ, but today we’re excited to share another side of what makes our events special, our craft cocktails.

We’re kicking off a new series that explores the art of pairing drinks (both spirited and spirit-free) with our famous BBQ. Whether you’re planning a backyard wedding or a corporate gathering, we’ll show you how the right drink can transform a great meal into an unforgettable experience.

Rocklands Catering Cocktail Menu (example)

When Smoke Meets Spirit

There’s something magical about pairing cocktails with BBQ. Our slow-smoked meats bring deep, rich flavors that practically beg for something bright and refreshing to cleanse the palate. 

It’s like a flavor dance: the smoky notes of our brisket playing with the citrusy zing of a well-crafted cocktail, or the sweet heat of our signature hot sauce, Global Warming, finding its perfect match in a herb-infused sip.

But it’s not just about throwing any drink next to a plate of ribs. Each pairing is carefully considered. Our pulled pork, with its subtle sweetness, pairs beautifully with drinks that have a bit of tang. Think craft bourbon sours or their alcohol-free cousins made with fresh citrus and honey. Our beef brisket, rich with smoke and pepper, calls for something that can stand up to those bold flavors, like our Mezcal Paloma. 

Imagine this perfect pairing at your next catered event. Learn more about our catering services.

Featured Recipe: Green Goddess Margarita

Rocklands Green Goddess Margarita Recipe

You will need:
Shaker, Margarita glass and ingredients below

Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz. Tequila Blanco

2 oz. Cointreau

2 oz. Key Lime Juice

3 oz. Cucumber Juice

Steps:

  1. Prep glass by salting the rim by rubbing the top of the glass with a wedge of lime and dip in a small plate of salt.  
  2. Add ingredients into a shaker with a few ice cubes and shake to combine.
  3. Strain and pour into your glass.
  4. Garnish with a lime and cucumber wheel.

Mocktail Version:

Ingredients:

2 oz. Agave

1 oz. Limeade Concentrate

1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice

3 oz. Cucumber Juice

1/4 tsp. Orange B

Steps:

  1. Prep glass by salting the rim by rubbing the top of the glass with a wedge of lime and dip in a small plate of salt.  
  2. Add ingredients into a shaker with a few ice cubes and shake to combine.
  3. Strain and pour into your glass.
  4. Garnish with a lime and cucumber wheel.
Rocklands Catering - Green Goddess Margarita Recipe Card
click for larger view

The Team Behind Your Toast

When you book Rocklands Catering for your bartending services, you’re not just getting someone to pour drinks, you’re getting a team of bartenders who understand the science and art of craft cocktails. Our bartenders don’t just make drinks; they create experiences. And they are all trained and certified (TIPS trained). 

They’re as passionate about perfect ice as we are about perfect smoke rings, and they take just as much pride in crafting a sophisticated non-alcoholic option as they do in mixing up classic cocktails.

“We approach every event as an opportunity to create something special,” says Carmen Williams, one of our senior staff. “When someone tells us they’d like a specialty cocktail or mocktail , we are thrilled to help create that unique experience for them and their guests”.

Make Your Next Event Extraordinary

Imagine your guests’ delight when they discover their favorite BBQ paired with handcrafted drinks that complement every bite. Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, our team can create a custom menu that brings together the best of both worlds.

This is just the beginning, over the next few months, we’ll be sharing more of our favorite pairings, including recipes you can try at home. But why wait? Let us bring the magic to your next event.

Ready to create something special? Contact us at 703-778-8000 or submit a proposal request to start planning your menu. From the first sip to the last bite, we’ll make sure your celebration is one to remember.

Stay tuned for our next installment, where we’ll reveal another perfect pairing from our summer series!

Jenn Carter

About Jenn Carter

Meet Jenn Carter, whose love of Rocklands spans more than three decades and made her love official in 2005 when she joined the Rocklands family as a Sales Rep in their Catering Department. There she worked with the team to create events: from intimate backyard gatherings to high-profile political fundraisers. Making sure every client’s event featured both Rocklands’ legendary barbecue and impeccable service. Though life has taken her from DC to Japan, to New Mexico, Tennessee and now to Oklahoma, where she lives with her husband Michael, son Jackson, and pup Francis, you’ll still find bottles of Rocklands Barbecue Sauce making their way to her doorstep. Some loves know no distance.