Labour Day Long Weekend Drinks: Easy Vodka Cocktails for BBQ Season
Three Refreshing Vodka Drinks Made for Sunshine, BBQs & Easy Entertaining
Sunshine, a backyard BBQ and a few good drinks — sometimes the simplest long weekends are the best ones.
Whether you're celebrating the Queensland Labour Day long weekend, entertaining friends or simply making the most of a sunny afternoon, you don't need complicated cocktails or a bar full of ingredients.
These three easy vodka cocktails use Lemon Myrtle Vodka, Ginger Vodka and Pertzovka Chilli Pepper Vodka with simple mixers and fresh citrus. They're quick to make, refreshing and designed for relaxed outdoor entertaining.
What You’ll Find in This Guide
- Three easy vodka cocktails you can make in minutes
- Refreshing drinks for BBQs and outdoor entertaining
- Australian native lemon myrtle flavours
- Ginger and chilli vodka cocktail ideas
-
Simple mixers you can find almost anywhere
Why Vodka Is Perfect for BBQs & Long Weekends
Vodka is one of the easiest spirits to work with when you're entertaining.
It pairs naturally with soda, ginger beer, tropical juices and fresh citrus, so you can make refreshing drinks without spending the afternoon measuring complicated ingredients.
Flavoured vodkas make things even easier because much of the cocktail's character is already in the spirit.
At Tamborine Mountain Distillery, we take that idea a little further with vodkas featuring flavours such as Australian lemon myrtle, ginger and chilli pepper.
All you need is ice, a simple mixer and a sunny afternoon.
1. The Sunset Spritz (Lemon Myrtle Vodka)
A Light Australian Vodka & Soda for Sunny Afternoons
Perfect for: Late-afternoon BBQs and golden-hour drinks.
Our Lemon Myrtle Vodka brings aromatic Australian native citrus character to this incredibly simple long drink.
 |
Ingredients
How to Make ItFill a glass with ice, add Lemon Myrtle Vodka and top with chilled soda water. Finish with a squeeze of fresh orange or lime and stir gently. The result: Light, aromatic and refreshing, with bright citrus notes and plenty of sparkle. |
2. Backyard Mule with Ginger Vodka
An Easy Ginger Vodka & Ginger Beer Cocktail
Perfect for: When the BBQ is still going and afternoon starts turning into evening.
The Backyard Mule keeps things wonderfully simple: Ginger Vodka, ginger beer and fresh lime over plenty of ice.
 |
Ingredients
How to Make ItFill a glass with ice and add Ginger Vodka. Top with chilled ginger beer, squeeze over fresh lime, and stir gently. The result: Crisp and refreshing with lively ginger spice and fresh citrus — an easy-going cocktail made for long afternoons outdoors.
|
3. Spicy Tropical with Pertzovka Chilli Vodka
A Chilli Vodka & Pineapple Cocktail with a Tropical Kick
Perfect for: When the BBQ is in full swing and you're ready for something a little bolder.
Our Pertzovka Chilli Pepper Vodka meets pineapple and fresh lime in this simple tropical cocktail.
 |
Ingredients
How to Make ItFill a glass with ice. Add Pertzovka Chilli Pepper Vodka and pineapple juice, squeeze in fresh lime and stir gently. The result: Juicy tropical sweetness followed by a warming chilli kick, with fresh lime keeping everything bright and refreshing. |
Which Vodka Cocktail Should You Choose?
Prefer something light and refreshing? Start with the Lemon Myrtle Sunset Spritz.
Love ginger and a little spice? The Backyard Mule is your drink.
Want something tropical with some heat? Go for the Spicy Tropical with chilli vodka.
Or put all three on the table and let everyone choose their own.
That's the beauty of simple BBQ cocktails: less time mixing, more time enjoying the afternoon.
Easy Tips for Serving Vodka Cocktails at a BBQ
Keep plenty of ice ready and chill your mixers before guests arrive. Cold ingredients mean better drinks and less rapidly melting ice.
Slice your citrus ahead of time and keep it chilled so guests can easily garnish their own drinks.
For larger gatherings, create a simple drinks station with your vodka, mixers, ice and garnishes together. Guests can then build their own long drinks without someone having to play bartender all afternoon.
And keep chilled water and alcohol-free options alongside the cocktails so everyone has something refreshing within reach.
Stock the Bar for the Long Weekend
If you're getting ready for a BBQ or long weekend, choose a couple of different vodka styles and let your guests decide what suits them.
Go refreshing with Lemon Myrtle Vodka, turn up the spice with Ginger Vodka, or bring some heat with Pertzovka Chilli Pepper Vodka.
► EXPLORE THE TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN DISTILLERY VODKA COLLECTION
Frequently Asked Questions
What are easy vodka cocktails for a BBQ?
Simple vodka cocktails made with one spirit, one mixer, and fresh citrus are ideal for BBQs. Vodka and soda, vodka with ginger beer, and vodka with pineapple juice are all refreshing options that can be prepared quickly over ice.
What mixes well with vodka for a refreshing drink?
Soda water, tonic, ginger beer, citrus juice, and tropical fruit juices all pair well with vodka. Fresh lemon, lime or orange can add acidity and aroma without making the drink complicated.
What mixes well with Lemon Myrtle Vodka?
Lemon Myrtle Vodka works particularly well with simple mixers that allow its aromatic citrus character to shine. Soda water and tonic are excellent choices, finished with fresh lemon, lime, or orange.
What mixes well with Ginger Vodka?
Ginger Vodka pairs naturally with ginger beer and fresh lime for an easy Mule-style cocktail. Citrus, soda and tropical fruit flavours can also complement its warming ginger character.
What mixes well with chilli vodka?
Chilli vodka works particularly well with fruit flavours that balance its heat. Pineapple provides sweetness and tropical character, while fresh lime adds acidity and freshness.
How do you serve cocktails easily for a BBQ?
Keep the drinks simple and prepare everything you can beforehand. Chill the vodka and mixers, cut fresh citrus in advance and set out plenty of ice. Cocktails built directly in the serving glass are particularly convenient when entertaining a group.
