7 BBQ Drinks That Won't Ruin Your Sunday: Summer Alcohol-Free Options | UNLTD.
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5 min read

7 BBQ Drinks That Won't Ruin Your Sunday: Summer Alcohol-Free Options | UNLTD.

Summer Is Here: 7 BBQ Drinks That Won't Ruin Your Sunday

The sun's out. The charcoal's lit. Someone's already arguing about whether the burgers are ready. It's BBQ season, and everything about it is brilliant - except the bit on Monday morning when you realise six beers in the garden turned into a lost Sunday evening and a foggy start to the week.

Here's the thing: you can have the full BBQ experience - cold drinks, sunshine, good food, great company - without writing off the rest of your weekend. These seven drinks keep the party going and your Sunday intact.

1. UNLTD. Lager

Let's start with the obvious one, because it's obvious for a reason. UNLTD. Lager at 23 calories, zero sugar and 0.5% ABV is the BBQ beer. Clean, crisp, properly refreshing, and you can drink as many as you like without worrying about the drive home, the calories, or the alarm clock on Monday.

It pairs brilliantly with everything coming off the grill - burgers, sausages, chicken, halloumi, the lot. Serve it ice cold and it's indistinguishable from having a regular lager in the sunshine. Except you'll remember the evening and feel fine tomorrow.

2. UNLTD. IPA

If you want something with more character, UNLTD. IPA at 13 calories brings citrus and tropical hop flavour that stands up to BBQ smoke, spicy marinades and sticky sauces. It's the one to reach for when the ribs come out or someone's brought a proper chilli.

At 13 calories per can, it's also lighter than a glass of orange juice. That's a stat worth mentioning when someone asks why you're drinking alcohol-free beer at a barbecue. For more on what works with what, check our non-alcoholic beer food pairing guide.

3. Sparkling Water with Fresh Fruit

Sometimes the simplest option is the best. A tall glass of sparkling water with sliced cucumber, a few mint leaves, or chunks of fresh strawberry looks impressive and costs next to nothing. Keep a big jug on the table and people will help themselves all afternoon.

It won't replace beer for everyone, but it's a genuinely refreshing option between rounds of anything else. Zero calories, zero fuss.

4. Homemade Lemonade

Shop-bought lemonade is packed with sugar. Homemade lemonade is a completely different drink. Fresh lemons, a touch of honey or agave, cold water, ice. Maybe some thyme or rosemary if you're feeling fancy. It takes five minutes, serves a crowd, and tastes like summer in a glass.

The sugar is under your control, and it pairs well with lighter BBQ fare - grilled fish, salads, corn on the cob.

5. Iced Tea (Not the Bottled Kind)

Brew a pot of something interesting - green tea with jasmine, earl grey, or a fruity herbal blend - let it cool, add ice and a squeeze of lemon. Homemade iced tea is miles ahead of the bottled stuff, which is usually just sugar water with tea flavouring.

It's a good all-afternoon sipper and works surprisingly well alongside smoky, charred food. The tannins in tea do a similar job to the bitterness in beer - they cut through fat and reset your palate.

6. Kombucha

If you want something with a bit of funk and fizz, kombucha works at a BBQ. The slight sourness and carbonation make it more interesting than a soft drink, and most brands clock in at 30-50 calories per can.

That said, watch the sugar content - some kombuchas are sneakily sweet. And at 30-50 calories, they're still more than double UNLTD. IPA at 13 calories. Worth knowing if you're tracking.

7. Coconut Water

Slightly left-field for a British BBQ, but coconut water is a natural hydrator that works brilliantly on hot days. It's subtly sweet, full of electrolytes, and lighter than most fruit juices. Serve it cold and it's genuinely refreshing.

It's not going to replace your beer, but as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up between the main course and whatever pudding someone's produced, it does the job.

How to Stock a BBQ Fridge That Works for Everyone

The secret to a great BBQ drinks setup is covering all bases without making a fuss about it. Here's a fridge that works for drivers, non-drinkers, calorie-counters, and anyone who just wants choice:

  • A case of UNLTD. Lager - the everyday option that works for everyone
  • A pack of UNLTD. IPA - for those who want more hop character
  • Some regular beer for those who want it
  • Sparkling water and a jug of something with fruit in it
  • A few soft drinks for the kids

That's it. No one has to explain their choice, no one settles for tap water, and everyone stays for the whole afternoon.

The Real Win: Monday Morning

We've all had the Monday after a sunny Sunday BBQ that got away from us. The headache, the regret, the vague memory of saying something you shouldn't have. It doesn't have to be that way.

A BBQ with non-alcoholic beer is just as fun, just as social, and just as satisfying - but Monday morning feels completely different. You wake up clear, rested, and ready. That's the UNLTD. difference.

Make This Summer Different

UNLTD. is built for summer. Low-calorie, sugar-free, gluten-free, vegan and B-Corp certified. Whether you're hosting, attending or just enjoying the garden with a cold one after work, we've got the beer that fits your life.

Stock up for BBQ season at unltd.beer.

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