Memorial Day means the grills come alive, friends gather, and the unofficial start of Buffalo's outdoor season is here. If you're planning a Tonawanda cookout, Buffalo House Liquor & Wines has the local expertise and bottle selection to make your Memorial Day drinks sing with smoky, sunny balance.
Memorial Day drinks & bbq drinks: what to serve for a backyard crowd
Memorial Day BBQs are about simplicity and crowd-pleasing options. Think bold reds for the grill, crisp whites and rosés for the patios, and a few beers and tequila choices for sips between burgers and corn on the cob. Below you'll find pairing ideas, ready-to-buy recommendations available at Buffalo House Liquor & Wines in Tonawanda NY, and quick recipes for easy, batch-friendly cocktails.
BBQ-Friendly Reds —
Grilled meats call for wines with structure, fruit, and a little spice to stand up to char and sauce. For Memorial Day, focus on Zinfandel-style fruit, robust Malbecs, and mouth-filling cabernets. Here’s how to think about each style and which bottles from our shelves do the job.
Why these red styles work
- Zinfandel/fruit-forward reds: Jammy, bold fruit helps counter sweet sauces like BBQ and teriyaki.
- Malbec: Plush tannins and dark-fruit relish pair beautifully with grilled steak and smoky sausages.
- Cabernet and barrel-aged cabs: Structure and oak spice complement char and fatty cuts.
Top picks from Buffalo House
- Ruca Melan Malbec — a wallet-friendly Malbec with plush fruit and soft tannins that’s perfect for burgers and ribs.
- Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Malbec — a step up in concentration and spice for bigger cuts or bold sauces.
- Wild Horse Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon — warm, ripe cab flavors that play well with grilled lamb or steak.
- Bota Box Nighthawk Bourbon Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon — for a novelty with depth: Bourbon-barrel aging brings extra smoke and vanilla that echoes the grill.
Pairing cheat sheet
- Smoky brisket: Malbec or barrel-aged cab
- BBQ ribs (sweet glaze): Zinfandel-style fruit or a soft Malbec
- Grilled burgers: Cabernet for fattier, beefy burgers; Malbec for char-driven flavors
- Spicy BBQ chicken: A fruit-forward red to tame heat
Beers that pair with classic BBQ — bbq drinks made simple
Beer keeps things casual at an outdoor party. Your Buffalo House selection should cover these bases: crisp lagers, hop-forward IPAs, and bright sours or fruited ales for contrast.
Styles and what they match
- Lagers and Pilsners: Clean and refreshing, perfect with grilled chicken, hot dogs, and corn.
- IPAs: Big hop flavors can stand up to spicy sauces and smoked meats — go hazy or West Coast depending on bitterness preference.
- Sours and fruited ales: Tartness cuts through richness — great with pulled pork or creamy sides.
Serving tips
- Keep lagers and pilsners super cold for maximum refreshment.
- Offer a low-alcohol option (session beer or low-ABV lager) for daytime sipping.
- Label beers at the table so guests can taste and pair as they go.
Tequila for the Margarita Bar —
Set up a simple margarita and paloma station and your porch becomes an instant crowd-pleaser. You don’t need expensive bottles for a batch cocktail, but having a few good tequilas on hand makes a difference for sipping and stirring.
Which tequilas to stock and why
- Zumbador Blanco Tequila 100% de Agave — bright agave character makes it a great workhorse for shaken margaritas.
- 21 Seeds Tequila Cucumber Jalapeno — a flavored tequila that adds an immediate cocktail twist without extra prep; great for a cucumber-jalapeño margarita.
- Herradura Reposado — a smooth, lightly oaked reposado that works for both sips and premium margaritas.
- Patron Reposado — a reliable sipping reposado that lifts cocktails with gentle oak and agave warmth.
Easy Margarita & Paloma station setup
- Ice: lots of cubed ice and a frozen reserve in a cooler.
- Mixers: fresh limes, agave syrup, citrus soda for palomas, and a salty rim option.
- Garnishes: lime wheels, jalapeño slices, salted rims, cucumber ribbons.
- Glassware options: rocks glasses for margaritas, highballs for palomas.
Quick single-serve Margarita
- 2 oz tequila, 1 oz lime juice, 3/4 oz agave syrup — shake with ice, serve over fresh ice with a lime wheel.
Patio Pour Whites & Rosés —
When the sun’s out in Buffalo and the breeze off the river shows up, you want light, chillable bottles that make conversation easier. Rosé and crisp whites are the go-to for salads, seafood, and spicy sides.
Styles to reach for
- Dry rosé: Versatile with grilled vegetables, lighter fare, and spicy wings.
- Pinot Grigio/Alto-Adige style: Crisp, mineral-driven options that refresh between bites.
- Sparkling rosé: Festive and food-friendly, especially with salty snacks.
Store favorites
- Chateau Miraval Rose — a classic dry Provençal rosé that’s an instant party pleaser.
- Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio — clean, crisp, and ideal for White Claw-averse guests who still want refreshing white wine.
- Poema Brut Rose Cava — a budget-friendly sparkling that adds fizz without fuss.
- Kris Pinot Grigio — everyday freshness for large groups.
Easy Batch Cocktails for a Crowd — summer cocktails made simple
Batch cocktails save time and keep you social. Here are two crowd-ready recipes that travel well from cooler to cup and can be scaled to any party size.
Pitcher Sangria (Red) — makes about 12 servings
- 2 bottles BBQ-friendly red (try a Malbec like Ruca Melan)
- 1 cup orange liqueur (optional)
- 1/2 cup simple syrup or to taste
- 1 cup orange juice
- Sliced oranges, lemons, a handful of berries
- Combine all in a large pitcher, chill at least 3 hours. Serve over ice, top with club soda for sparkle if desired.
Frozen Margarita Pitcher — serves 8–10
- 4 cups tequila (Zumbador Blanco or Zumbador if you prefer crispness)
- 2 cups fresh lime juice
- 1 1/2 cups agave syrup
- 4 cups ice (or more for thicker slush)
- Blend in batches and refill a pre-chilled dispenser or cooler. Offer salt and chili-salt rims.
Batch serving tips
- Keep cocktails chilled in a cooler with ice or in a fridge until serving.
- Label non-alcoholic versions for kids and designated drivers.
- Use a ladle and measuring cup to keep pours consistent.
How much to buy for a party — simple Memorial Day drinks calculator
One of the trickiest parts of planning is buying enough without overspending. Use these straightforward estimates to calculate what to order from Buffalo House Liquor & Wines.
Basic assumptions
- Party length: 4 hours
- Average drinking rate: 2 drinks per person in first hour, 1 drink per person each following hour (rough guideline)
- Standard drink sizes: 12 oz beer, 5 oz wine, 1.5 oz spirits
Per-guest estimates
- Beer-only crowd: Plan for 4–6 beers per person for a 4-hour party.
- Wine-focused group: 1/2 bottle per person (2 glasses = 1 bottle) for a 4-hour event; if wine is the primary beverage, budget 2/3 to 1 bottle per person.
- Mixed drinks and cocktails: Assume 2–3 standard cocktails per person; each 750ml bottle of spirit makes roughly 17 cocktails (1.5 oz pours).
Quick calculation examples
- 20 guests, mixed drinks + beer: Buy 3–4 cases of beer (24-packs) and 4 bottles of spirits (for margaritas/pitchers), plus 8–10 bottles of wine for non-beer drinkers.
- 30 guests, wine/rosé-focused: Buy 15 bottles as a baseline (1/2 bottle per person), increase to 20 if wine is the main draw.
- Family BBQ of 10 with one margarita pitcher: 2 bottles tequila (for refills and sipping), 4–6 beers, 4 bottles of mixed wines (rosé and pinot grigio).
Other practical buying tips
- Round up: it’s better to have a bottle or two left over than to run out mid-bash.
- Offer variety: at minimum, stock one lager, one IPA, one sour/fruited beer, two whites/rosés, and two reds.
- Bring ice and glassware: don’t forget coolers, extra ice, openers, and disposable or reusable cups.
Serving & safety tips for a sunny Buffalo Memorial Day
Buffalo summers can surprise you with humidity and heat. Keep guests comfortable and safe so the party stays fun.
- Shade and water: Provide shaded seating and plenty of water—alcohol dehydrates, especially in heat.
- Designate a non-drinking host or offer ride-share info for guests who’ve had more than a few.
- Keep wine chilled in buckets and beers in coolers; rotate fresh ice in the afternoon.
- Label allergen information if you’re serving bottled mixers with unusual ingredients.
From rosés that catch the last of the afternoon sun to margarita-ready tequilas and hearty reds for the grill, Buffalo House Liquor & Wines in Tonawanda NY is here to help you build a Memorial Day menu that’s easy, delicious, and ready for a Buffalo summer. Swing by our Tonawanda location or order online to pick up everything you need for your BBQ drinks—see you soon at Buffalo House Liquor & Wines in Buffalo NY.
