The Ultimate Cornish BBQ Drinks Pairing Guide: What to Eat and Drink This Summer

Summer in Cornwall was made for barbecues and for practicing the ultimate BBQ drinks pairing.

Whether you’re cooking fresh fish after a day on the water, gathering family in the garden or spending an afternoon perfecting slow-cooked brisket, great food deserves equally great drinks. If you live in Cornwall like we do, or visit regularly, then you come to know some great suppliers. Whether it’s meat from Vincent Family Butchers in St Keverene, or fish from Quayside in Porthleven or wherever in Kernow you are, there’s nothing like having Cornish produce for your barbecue.

A cold beer will always have its place around the barbecue, but the right spirit can elevate a meal in surprising ways. Smoky flavours, sweet glazes and fresh seafood all pair beautifully with carefully crafted gin, rum and whisky.

Here’s our guide to pairing Rosemullion spirits with your favourite barbecue dishes.

Fresh Cornish Seafood & Rosemullion Seafarer’s Gin – a sumptuous BBQ Drinks Pairing

If there’s one thing Cornwall does exceptionally well, it’s seafood.

From line-caught mackerel and hand-dived scallops to lobster, crab and whole sea bass, fresh fish cooked over charcoal needs very little fuss. A drizzle of olive oil, sea salt, fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon are often all that’s required.

Those clean, delicate flavours are exactly why seafood pairs so well with Rosemullion Seafarer’s Gin. Its bright citrus notes and carefully balanced botanicals lift the sweetness of the fish without overpowering it, while a premium tonic adds refreshing bitterness between each bite.

Many people would naturally reach for a crisp lager, pilsner or a light pale ale with grilled seafood. They’re classic choices for a reason. But if you’re looking for something a little different, a perfectly chilled gin and tonic brings freshness, citrus and gentle spice that complements the coast on a summer’s day.

Perfect pairing

• Whole grilled mackerel
• Sea bass
• Scallops
• Lobster
• Crab
• King prawns

Serve with: Rosemullion Seafarer’s Gin, premium tonic, plenty of ice and a slice of pink grapefruit.

Burgers, Brisket & Rosemullion Gold Rum

Few things beat the smell of good beef cooking over charcoal.

Whether you’re making handmade burgers, slow-smoking a brisket or cooking sticky beef ribs, quality ingredients make all the difference. Support your local butcher if you can—well-aged beef with good marbling rewards slow cooking with incredible flavour.

Beer is often the first choice alongside a burger. A hoppy IPA cuts through the richness, while an amber ale or porter works beautifully with smoked beef.

For something different, try Rosemullion Gold Rum.

Matured in oak casks, its notes of vanilla, caramel and gentle spice complement smoky barbecue flavours beautifully. The rum’s natural sweetness balances sticky barbecue sauces while the oak character echoes the char from the grill.

It’s equally enjoyable sipped neat after the meal or stirred into a classic Rum Old Fashioned as the evening draws in.

Perfect pairing

• Gourmet beef burgers
• Smoked brisket
• Beef short ribs
• Pulled beef rolls

Jerk Chicken & Rosemullion Spiced Rum

As everyone knows, chicken is one of the most versatile foods you can cook on a barbecue.

Whether you’re marinating thighs in jerk seasoning, glazing wings with honey and chilli or cooking smoky chicken kebabs, spice and sweetness go hand in hand.

Rosemullion Spiced Rum mirrors those flavours perfectly. Warming spices, soft sweetness and citrus notes complement the marinade without overpowering it.

While many people choose a cold pilsner with spicy food, a simple Spiced Rum & Ginger Beer with fresh lime is every bit as refreshing—and feels made for long summer evenings.

Perfect pairing

• Jerk chicken
• Chicken wings
• Chicken kebabs
• Sticky drumsticks

Chargrilled Steak & Rosemullion Malt Whisky

A beautifully grilled steak deserves something equally memorable in the glass.

Whether you’re cooking a thick-cut ribeye, sirloin or côte de boeuf over glowing coals, the intense heat creates a rich caramelised crust while keeping the centre tender and full of flavour.

Rosemullion Malt Whisky, handcrafted by us in Cornwall, is fermented, distilled, and aged at our distillery using traditional methods. Made from Scottish barley without caramel or artificial additives, it delivers an authentic, smooth sipping experience — perfect neat, on the rocks, or in your favourite cocktails

The whisky’s delicate smoky notes mirror those from the barbecue, while hints of vanilla and oak complement the richness of the beef without dominating it.

Many barbecue lovers would naturally reach for a robust porter or a full-bodied red wine with steak. Both are excellent choices, but a drop of Rosemullion Malt Whisky offers a slower, more contemplative finish to the meal—particularly once the plates have been cleared and the conversation carries on into the evening.

It’s also an excellent partner for a board of mature Cornish cheeses served later in the evening.

Perfect pairing

• Ribeye
• Sirloin
• Côte de boeuf
• Lamb chops
• Mature Cornish Cheddar
• Smoked cheeses

Enjoy: Neat, or with a splash of water to open up the whisky’s vanilla, oak and gentle peat character.

Sweet Treats & Rum

Dessert doesn’t need to be complicated.

Pineapple, peaches and nectarines all caramelise beautifully over the dying embers of the barbecue. Served with vanilla ice cream and a small measure of Rosemullion Gold Rum, they make a wonderfully simple way to end a summer feast.

The fruit’s natural sweetness and gentle smokiness are lifted by the rum’s notes of caramel, vanilla and spice.

Simple BBQ Cocktails

If you’re entertaining friends, simple serves mean less time behind the drinks table and more time around the barbecue.

Cornish G&T
Rosemullion Seafarer’s Gin, premium tonic and a slice of lemon.

Rum & Ginger
Rosemullion Spiced Rum, ginger beer, fresh lime and plenty of ice.

Rum Old Fashioned
Rosemullion Gold Rum, sugar syrup, bitters and orange peel.

Whisky Highball
Rosemullion Malt Whisky, chilled soda water and a twist of lemon.

Preparing garnishes and ice before guests arrive makes entertaining effortless.

The Best BBQ Drinks Pairing? Good Company

There’s no single “right” drink to enjoy with a barbecue. Beer, wine, cocktails and spirits all have their place.

For us at Rosemullion Distillery, summer is about celebrating Cornwall’s incredible produce—from freshly landed seafood to locally reared meat—and bringing people together around the table.

So whether you’re grilling mackerel on the beach, serving burgers in the garden or sharing a perfectly cooked steak with friends, we hope these pairings inspire you to try something new.

Great spirits deserve great ingredients, and we’re lucky that Cornwall offers both in abundance. So here’s to long summer evenings, great food, handcrafted Cornish spirits and making memories around the barbecue.

With best wishes,

From the Rosemullion Distillery Team