Get Fired Up for a Family Cookout

Your big summer gathering is going to come together with ease when you follow our no-fail family cookout menu.

Recipe: Lemon-Mint Sparklers

Make the Lemon-Mint Syrup a week ahead, and keep cold. Chill the club soda, too, but mix the drink just before serving to keep it nice and fizzy. Use leftover syrup to make boozy Lemon-Mint-Bourbon Sparklers for the grown-ups in your crowd, and set up a self-serve beverage station with fresh lemon and mint leaves.

Recipe: Tomato Salad with Grilled Shrimp

Look for beautiful and tasty heirloom tomatoes in a rainbow of colors at your local farmers' market, and keep them at room temperature until you're ready to slice and serve.

Recipe: Margarita-Brined Chicken

Soak chicken in a citrus-and-tequila-spiked brine to infuse Latin flavors and keep the chicken moist as it cooks. Pat the skin dry before grilling, and start skin-side down to ensure it gets good and crispy. Feel free to sub orange juice for tequila and lemons or oranges for limes, and be sure to grill extra citrus for a pretty and functional garnish.

Recipe: Grill-Smoked Summer Peas

Here's a smart new smoky spin on baked beans, substituting field peas for traditional white beans. Use a mix of different kinds, such as crowders, lady peas, and butter beans.

Recipe: Smoky Chopped Salad with Avocado

Grill the lettuce and avocado just long enough to impart a tinge of smoke.

Recipe: Bourbon-Soaked Plums

Use your favorite kind of plums, or sub nectarines or peaches, if desired. Make sure they're just firm and not too ripe.

Recipe: Key Lime Curd Cones

To prep ahead, make the curd up to two days in advance, and chill. Whip the meringue an hour before your party; assemble just before serving.

Recipe: Red, White, and Blue Ice-Cream Cake

Our patriotic spin on ice-cream cake is the coolest dessert of summer.