3 Tips To Bring Your Memorial Day Cookout To The Next Level

Memorial Day Weekend is upon us! So is the start of cookout season. If you’re doing it right, you’re spending this weekend at the pool, grilling out and enjoying the sun. You may even be inviting over your friends and family for great food and celebration.

Your Memorial Day cookout will be the talk of the neighborhood this year with these tips:

• Of course, you have to have burgers at your cookout, but you don’t have to let it be just like every other burger you’ve served. Set up a table with tons of fix-ins for your guests’ burger. You can keep it to the traditional toppings: ketchup, lettuce, tomato. Or try some new condiments your guests will be talking about for weeks: macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, potato chips, baked beans, onion rings, BBQ sauce. Better yet, mix and max your burger toppings to find combinations you never would have thought of before!

• Mix some of your favorite cocktails in pitchers and have them available for your guests to enjoy. Have a red, white and blue option to keep your drinks in theme with the rest of your party. For your red drink, use Sangria for a sweet, refreshing and classic drink your guests will love. For your white drink, try a Pina Colada, that’ll give everyone the taste and feeling of a beautiful summer day. For your blue drink, mix some Blue Margaritas, just like your favorite recipe but with Blue Curacao. These drinks are sure to be a big hit with your guests!

• Skip your usual fruit salad or flag-themes cakes and try something brand new! This Berry Custard Trifle is served in individual jars, making it perfect for your party guests. The custard and shortbread fingers will bring your sweet treat a step above your average dessert. Plus, the strawberries, blueberries and whipped cream will match your decorations and will taste delicious!

What are your favorite tricks for an outstanding cookout over the holiday weekend? Share your Custard Trifle and show-stopping other desserts with us on Facebook, Twitter @Shortbread, and Instagram @walkersshortbread.