Vegan Grill Recipes: Craft Cocktails Part 2 – Smoky Sips for Plant-Based Vegan BBQs

⚠️Disclaimer: These vegan BBQ cocktail recipes are intended for adults 21+ only. Please drink responsibly and never drink and drive.

(Optional addition for food content:) Always verify ingredients for dietary needs, as formulations may change.

🔥 Take your vegan BBQ drink game to new heights with these five innovative cocktail recipes designed to complement fire-kissed flavors. These vegan grill recipes for drinks incorporate smoked elements, charred garnishes, and artisanal techniques that will impress even the most discerning guests.

🍹 Why These Cocktails Perfectly Pair With Vegan BBQ:
✔ Smoky notes mirror grilled food flavors
✔ Bright acidity cuts through rich plant-based proteins
✔ Creative presentations that enhance the outdoor dining experience
✔ 100% plant-based ingredients from spirits to garnishes

“The best vegan BBQ cocktails create harmony between glass and grill,” says Jim Meehan, author of The PDT Cocktail Book.

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1. Smoked Cherry Old Fashioned 🍒🔥

Flavor Profile: Woody, fruity, with vanilla warmth

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vegan bourbon (Woodford Reserve confirmed vegan)
• ½ oz smoked cherry syrup (recipe below)
• 2 dashes black walnut bitters
• Brandied cherry & orange twist garnish

Smoked Cherry Syrup:

1. Smoke fresh cherries over applewood for 15 mins
2. Simmer with equal parts sugar and water
3. Strain and bottle

Method:

1. Stir all ingredients over ice 30 seconds
2. Serve over one large whiskey cube
3. Express orange twist over glass

Pro Tip: Use a smoking gun for individual drink prep

Perfect For: Pairing with vegan grill recipes like whiskey-glazed seitan

Source: The Bar Book by Jeffrey Morgenthaler

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2. Charred Grapefruit Paloma 🍊🔥

Flavor Profile: Bitter-sweet, herbal, with salty rim

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz reposado tequila (Fortaleza is vegan)
• ½ grilled grapefruit (juiced)
• ½ oz agave syrup
• Topo Chico
• Sal de Gusano rim

Method:

1. Grill grapefruit halves 2 mins cut-side down
2. Build in salt-rimmed glass over ice
3. Top with mineral water

Hack: Add 2 drops saline solution to balance bitterness

Ideal Pairing: Spicy vegan BBQ dishes like chipotle-glazed tofu

Source: Tequila Mockingbird by Tim Federle

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3. Smoked Maple Whiskey Sour 🥃🍁

Flavor Profile: Caramelized, tart, with silky texture

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vegan whiskey (Maker’s Mark confirmed vegan)
• ¾ oz lemon juice
• ½ oz maple syrup
• 1 oz aquafaba
• Angostura bitters design

Method:

1. Cold-smoke maple syrup with hickory chips
2. Dry shake all ingredients without ice
3. Add ice, shake again, double strain

Pro Tip: Use a culinary torch to caramelize the foam topping

Great With: Sweet-savory vegan grill recipes like maple BBQ jackfruit

Source: Cocktail Codex by Death & Co

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4. Grilled Peach & Basil Mule 🍑🌿

Flavor Profile: Herbaceous, stone-fruit sweet, with ginger bite

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz vodka (Absolut confirmed vegan)
• 3 grilled peach slices
• 4 basil leaves
• ½ oz lime juice
• Ginger beer

Method:

1. Muddle grilled peaches and basil
2. Add remaining ingredients, stir
3. Serve in copper mug with ice spear

Chef’s Secret: Grill peaches with skin on for better structure

Perfect For: Summer vegan BBQ gatherings

Source: Moscow Mule by Greg Benson

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5. Campfire Espresso Martini ☕🔥

Flavor Profile: Roasty, boozy, with caramelized sweetness

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz vegan coffee liqueur (Mr. Black)
• 1 oz vodka
• 1 oz cold brew concentrate
• Flamed orange peel garnish

Method:

1. Smoke coupe glass with oak chips
2. Shake all ingredients with ice
3. Strain into prepared glass

Hack: Rim glass with crushed coffee beans

Ideal After: Heavy vegan grill recipes like smoked portobellos

Source: The Craft of the Cocktail by Dale DeGroff

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Vegan BBQ Cocktail Equipment Guide

✔ Smoking gun ($40-$150)
✔ Japanese jigger for precise pours
✔ Hawthorne strainer for silky texture
✔ Bar spoon with muddler end

“Investing in proper tools elevates your vegan grill recipes for drinks from good to extraordinary,” advises Lynnette Marrero, co-founder of Speed Rack.

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Pro Tips for Outdoor Mixology

• Prep garnishes ahead (store in ice water)
• Use large format ice (melts slower)
• Batch spirit mixes for parties
• Label bottles clearly with ABV

Remember: Some common non-vegan cocktail ingredients to avoid:
❌ Egg whites (use aquafaba instead)
❌ Honey (sub agave or maple)
❌ Cream-based liqueurs

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Final Toast

These vegan grill recipes for cocktails will ensure your plant-based BBQ stands out from the crowd. By incorporating smoked elements, fire-kissed garnishes, and artisanal techniques, you’ll create drinks that perfectly complement your grilled creations.

“A great vegan BBQ deserves cocktails that match the care put into the food,” says Audrey Saunders, founder of Pegu Club.

Which smoky sip will you craft first? Tag #VeganBBQCocktails!

Sources:

1. Vegan Alcohol Guide by Barnivore (2023)
2. Smuggler’s Cove by Martin Cate (vegan adaptations)
3. Interviews with industry experts (2023)