Elevate your summer grill game with these PepsiCo favorites

Elevate your summer grill game with these PepsiCo favorites

Nothing says summer quite like a backyard BBQ. Whether you're serving burgers or veggie patties, cooking outside while enjoying the company of family, friends, and neighbors is the perfect way to spend a sunny summer day.

PepsiCo's food and drinks can help make your cookout the talk of the block with delicious additions that will transform your typical menu into something extraordinary. That means cool and frosty drinks to beat the heat, inventive flavors that take your go-to snacks to another level, and creative additions to the menu that will have everyone asking for your recipe.

Tasty snacks

You'll want to be sure there are plenty of bites to munch on while everyone waits for the grill to serve up charbroiled perfection. Chips and dip are an easy way to let guests help themselves without making a mess in the kitchen prepping - or cleaning up. Fritos' Flavor Twists Spicy Dill Pickle Corn Chips combines tangy and spicy flavors that will fit right into the party. For those that prefer their crunch with a helping of cool dip, Sabra's variety of hummus recipes will keep them happy, with flavors like Classic, Chimichurri, and Roasted Red Pepper. And don't forget the Santitas Corn Tortilla Chips.

Refreshing drinks

Just as important as what's on your plate are the drinks to keep guests cool. Cookouts are fun because they are a way to gather outside, but standing around in the heat can make everyone thirsty. Starbucks Chilled Refreshers Strawberry Açai + Lemonade is a lemonade option that combines sweet strawberry flavor, tropical açaí notes and bright lemonade for a juicy, vibrant sip. Serve it alone or serve it alongside Pure Leaf Unsweetened Iced Tea for people looking for a drink that's equally as refreshing but not as sweet.

If backyard games are on the schedule, make sure guests hydrate with a little help from Gatorade. Fill a cooler with ice cold water and lay out an assortment of Gatorlyte, Gatorade Zero or Propel powders, so people can customize their quench.

Star dishes

The right dishes can help your meal shine. Now available in the U.S., Alvalle Gazpacho is a ready-to-serve chilled soup that feels like a sip of the Mediterranean for your backyard meal. The classic recipe features Spanish tomatoes, red peppers, cucumbers, onions, and extra virgin olive oil. Elevate your summer salad with Rice-A-Roni Chicken Flavor in Chicken Mandarin Summer Salad, or pair Rice-A-Roni Mexican Street Corn Style with your favorite grilled dishes. Maybe grab two boxes, just in case.

Recipe Enhancers

We all have our own takes on classics that give dishes that little extra something. Discovering inventive ways to interpret old favorites can lead to finding your new menu go-tos that will wow at the cookout. Enjoy a Mug Root Beer alongside your meals as a complement to the spice of BBQ pulled pork or ribs.

If burgers and hot dogs are on the menu, you may want to dress them up with a hit of heat, courtesy of Cheetos Crunchy Flamin' Hot. Take a handful and crush them up into small pieces. Sprinkle the dust on top of your dog or mix it in with your ketchup to create a spicy kick.

And, because no cookout is complete without dessert, switch out the apple pie for a Cinnamon Apple Crumb baked with a topping of Quaker Oats Old-Fashioned Oats. The 100% whole grain rolled oats give the dish a crunchy exterior. It's also easier to dish out and share with a large group than the usual pie.

With a menu this delicious, your next cookout is sure to be a hit. Just don't be surprised if your friends and family expect you to host future cookouts so they can regularly get their fill of PepsiCo's food and drinks.

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