It’s finally that long awaited time of year for BBQs, picnics, beach trips and backyard fun. Dust off the grill and polish off your cocktail glasses, the art of dining al fresco is in full swing. Looking for a way to spice it up and keep it interesting? We have all the dining al fresco must-haves including BBQ & hot sauces, drink mixes & recipes, grab’ n’ go snacks and of course sweet endings.

 

Kick up the Heat with our favorite BBQ & hot sauces this season. First on our list is our very own Carlino’s BBQ Sauce that comes in Applewood Harvest and Sweet & Smokey flavors. Made from mama’s secret sauce – if you’re looking for something simple and really good, this is your answer. Looking for more adventurous flavor combinations? We are also stocking up on the locally made Rock the Roll barbecue sauces. Rock the Roll comes in 5 fun flavors, such as Lime Cilantro and Ginger Sesame. Need some extra heat? Formosa Hot Sauces are a healthy and flavorful go-to. Made in small batches they are gluten, preservatives, sugar and MSG free, making these sauces a good alternative to the larger names in the hot sauce game. Available in Chipotle and Habanero flavors.

 

Dress The Burger with these fun condiments that are not only perfect for burgers and dogs but great as dipping sauces for fries, and in some cases, even a great match for your cheese plate. First up, the Spicy & Smooth Mexican Ketchup from La Esquina who are known in NY for their Mexican street food. We featured their salsas earlier this season and can’t seem to get enough of their products. This spicy ketchup is a great way to give your burger, dogs, or fries an unexpected kick. Looking for something a little more than your basic mayo? We highly recommend Empire Mayonnaises which we are currently carrying in 3 flavors: White Truffle, Sriracha and Bacon. These mayonnaises are small batch, handmade in Brooklyn NY with non-gmo oils and happy cage-free pasture-raised eggs and taste awesome. Plus they are in small jars which makes them a low commitment so you can try them all, we even use them as dipping sauces for fries.

Looking for something a little fancy? We recommend the new Truffle Ketchup and Truffle Mustard from Urbani Truffles. These are outstanding and it’s our personal opinion truffles make everything better. Last up but certainly not least is the Bacon Spread from Skillet. This is the best bacon spread we have ever tasted and we suggest putting it on EVERYTHING including your cheese plate.

 

Get Your Mixologist On There’s no better way to shake off the summer heat than with a refreshing cocktail. Looking for artisan small batch drink mixes? We have the answer with Quince & Apple Syrups and Arrowhead Farm Drink Mixes. For more traditional drink mixes ready to go we suggest the Arrowhead Farm Family’s concoctions of artisan mixers: Margarita, Bellini and Bloody Mary. Want to experiment? Quince & Apple small batch syrups from Madison, WI are handcrafted with each pot tested and tweaked to ensure each batch is up to their exacting standards. We say well done to these tasty flavors: Lime and Cucumber, Rhubarb Hops, and Tart Cherry Grenadine. Keep it simple and pair the syrups with booze, tonic & ice or test your skills and try a slightly more complex concoction like the Rhubarb Mojito recipe below:

Rhubarb Mojito

makes 1 small cocktail
1 oz white rum
2 oz Quince & Apple Rhubarb Hops syrup
5 (or so) mint leaves
1 tablespoon lime juice
lime zest
nutmeg

In the bottom of a glass add a bit of nutmeg, lime zest, mint leaves and the lime juice. Using a muddler or the end of a wooden spoon muddle the ingredients. You want to really bruise and break up the mint leaves. Add the rum and syrup, give a light stir then top with ice. Garnish with mint and a thin slice of rhubarb.

 

Grab’n’Go Snacks Whether you’re going on a camping trip, headed down to the beach or just on the go, these tasty snacks are easy without losing their gourmet appeal. Mast Brothers from Brooklyn NY take chocolate to a whole new level with their small batch chocolates that come in adventurous flavors, each handcrafted and wrapped in ridiculously cool paper. We suggest using these chocolate bars for the ultimate S’more experience. From right across the way in Brooklyn we also have the sweet treats from Salty Road. Try one of their 6 flavors of salt water taffy, and if you’re not already at the boardwalk you will automatically be transported there. (In your mind, of course. These do not come with a teleportation device, although we think they should.) Finally one of our new favorites is the Korean Flavored BBQ Jerky from True Gentleman’s Jerky. Small batch and ridiculously good this jerky is made with uncompromised integrity.

 

Sweet Endings No al fresco dining experience would be complete without sweet treat endings. Our pastry chefs have an array of treats that are the perfect fit for any outdoor theme. From S’mores Cupcakes and Brûlées to Zeppole Shortcakes and holiday cupcakes. We’ve tried them all and yes they taste as good as they look.