How To Host The Best Summer BBQ

Happy first week of summer! It feels like it has already been summer in Arizona for a very long time! This time of year we love barbecuing and I wanted to share my ideas on how to host the best summer BBQ!  Here are my top 5 tips on how to host the best summer bbq:

1. Create A Signature Drink For Your BBQ & Bar Setup

I love a refreshing summer drink, who doesn’t? Watermelon is my favorite fruit during summer so I had to share this recipe from Real Simple Good (follow along on Justin and Erica’s blog for amazing Paleo recipes).  Add some fun umbrella straws and possibly vodka and voila!

Ingredients:

2 cups watermelon – cubed
6 strawberries – green tops removed
1 handful of fresh basil
1 lime – half to squeeze juice into blender and half to cut in rings for garnish

Instructions:

Place your watermelon, strawberries, basil and juice of half a lime in your blender. Blend on medium-high until everything is mixed up. The watermelon will make it get kind of frothy.
Fill your glasses about halfway up with sparkling water. Then pour the strawberry, basil and watermelon mixture right in your glasses.
Cut the remaining half of lime into rings and garnish each glass. Give them a little stir and serve! Start sippin’!

2.  Add Some Fun Summer Decor

Add bright colored candles, accent pillows, and tables!

Image via Sugar & Charm

If you have a pool – fun pool floats are a must!

Image via Jenny Cookies 

3).  Create A Themed Food Menu

Pick a theme for the menu.  I love the ideas of an all American food theme with variety of sliders, grilled pizzas, mexican theme with different tacos and grilled street corn.  Whatever menu you chose make sure it all coordinates!

How amazing doe these BBQ pulled pork sliders with garlic aioli look? Recipe & image via Stuck On Sweet

4). Dessert Bar – An ice cream bar is a fun super easy way to serve dessert without having to bake anything! Or if you want a healthier option go with a fruit popsicle bar!

Image via Kojo Designs visit for great tips on hosting an ice cream social without a hitch!

5). Have An Activity – Whether its playing some games in the yard or movie nights in the backyard, have an activity you and your guests can do together.

Image via SF Girl By Bay

I hope you all enjoyed my top 5 tips for hosting the best bbq this summer!  If you have any additional ideas you would love to share I would love to hear!