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Seabreeze: The Backyard Cocktail That Thinks It's on Vacation

8/7/2025

A little sweet. A little tart. A little tipsy. Perfect.
You ever sip something so refreshing it makes your lawn chair feel like a beach lounger? That’s the Seabreeze—a juicy, boozy blast of cherry, citrus, and pineapple that turns any backyard cookout into a coastal escape. No sunscreen required.

This fruity firecracker is perfect with Awesome grilled shrimp, pineapple-glazed brats, or just sipping between burger flips while your neighbor says things like “You always do something weird, but it works.”

What You’ll Need:

1 cup cherry juice
¼ cup cherry pie filling (yes, the gooey kind—trust us)
Juice of ½ a grapefruit, freshly squeezed
1 pineapple ring
¼ cup vodka (or more, if it’s been that kind of week)

Directions:

Start with a jar or shaker – mason jars are classy and chaotic.
Pour in the cherry juice and vodka.
Add the pie filling (chunky cherries and all), squeeze in that grapefruit juice, and toss in the pineapple ring like you’re spiking the punch at a PTA meeting.
Shake or blend until smooth-ish. You want chunks, not chaos.
Pour over ice. Garnish with extra pineapple or cherries. Drink while laughing loudly at your own jokes.

Optional Add-Ons:

Add sparkling water for a fizzy twist
Rim your glass with sugar and lime zest for extra flair
Serve with a side of grilled shrimp from Awesome Shrimp—the official seafood MVP of Mad Dog & Merrill®

Grillin’ Pairing:
The Seabreeze goes great with any sweet-heat combo, especially something with cherry salsa, pineapple, or a little grill char. Honestly, it pairs well with an inflatable pool, too.

Alternate Twists for Seabreeze Shenanigans
Want to mix it up? Try one of these wild-yet-wonderful variations:

The Sun Drop Seabreeze
Skip the grapefruit juice and splash in a healthy pour of Sun Drop® instead!
It adds a citrusy sparkle that’s part soda, part sunshine, and fully Midwest.
Perfect if you want a lighter, fizzier version that pairs great with grilled brats, lawn chairs, and unapologetic dance moves.

Cranberry Cherry Breeze
Swap the cherry juice for 100% cranberry juice and the pie filling for a scoop of cranberry chutney or whole berry cranberry sauce (homemade or from your favorite Wisconsin grower).

This one’s for the tart-lovers who like a cocktail with a little bite and a lot of bold. A tribute to the mighty cranberry--grown with pride in Wisconsin, supported by our pals at the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association!

Tropical Trouble
Add a little coconut cream or swap vodka for rum for an extra island twist. Garnish with grilled pineapple (because of course you’re grilling your garnish).

Responsible-ish Drinking Reminder:
One Seabreeze = relaxation.
Two Seabreezes = karaoke.
Three Seabreezes = impromptu limbo tournament.
Plan accordingly.

Final Cocktail Thoughts:
This isn’t just a drink—it’s a grill-side lifestyle. Whether you're team cherry, cranberry, Sun Drop, or all of the above in one glass like a fruity mad scientist, this Seabreeze is your ticket to cookout cool.
For more ways to stir, shake, and sizzle, check out www.maddogandmerrill.com.
We'll keep the flavor coming. You just bring the ice.

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Salsa Beefy Burgers: Cheese Puff Chaos Meets Cherry-Infused Greatness

8/7/2025

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Brought to you by the fine folks who believe “too much flavor” is a compliment.
Let me set the scene: It’s a Saturday. The grill’s fired up. You’ve got friends over who think ketchup and mustard are enough to impress. Pfft. Not today. Today, you're flipping Salsa Beefy Burgers—a sweet, savory, and slightly unhinged creation that tastes like a state fair, a summer fling, and a tailgate party had a beautiful, beefy baby. 👶🍔🔥

And the secret? Crushed cheese puffs. That's right. We said what we said.

⚠️ WARNING LABEL: SALSA BEEFY BURGERS ⚠️
DO NOT CONSUME WITHOUT FULL GRILLING RESPONSIBILITY.
These burgers contain high levels of flavor chaos, cheese dust, and unlicensed cherry behavior. Side effects may include:

💥 Sudden outbursts of “OH MY GOSH THIS IS AMAZING”
🧀 Orange fingerprints on every surface within a 5-foot radius
🍒 Inappropriate emotional attachment to a grilled meat patty
🧅 Spontaneous tears of joy caused by toasted onion cheese
😵 Guests requesting thirds before you’ve finished your first
🤯 Your in-laws calling you a “culinary genius” and never leaving

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR:

Anyone who prefers their food "mild" or their burgers without backstory
White T-shirt wearers without napkin armor
People who believe fruit has no place in savory dishes (this burger will challenge your worldview)

SAFE FOR:

Grillmasters, snack gremlins, and flavor thrill-seekers
Anyone attending a cookout with fewer than 6 forks per person
People who say, “I’ll try anything once,” and then immediately ask for the recipe

💀 Handle with tongs. Serve with pride. Wear stretchy pants.
For external grill use only. Do not taunt the Salsa Beefy Burger. It bites back.

The Backstory:
Mad Dog was on his third brat of the day when Merrill wandered over holding a bag of cheese puffs and a spark of chaos in his eyes.

“You think we could put these… in the burger?” he said.

Mad Dog looked at him like he’d just invented fire. The rest is beefy, crunchy, cherry-fueled history.

What You’ll Need:

1.5 lbs ground beef (use the kind with personality—fat is flavor, folks)
2 cups crushed cheese puffs (the neon orange kind your inner child cries over)
Cherry Salsa – sweet, zippy, and a little wild
Sliced black olives
Dried cherries (for surprise sweetness and chew)
Spanish onions (thinly sliced)
Toasted onion cheese – yes, that’s a thing, and yes, it’s magical

Instructions for Flavor Glory:

Mix the Madness: In a bowl, combine beef, cheese puffs, salsa, olives, and a handful of dried cherries. Don’t overmix—you’re not making meatloaf.
Form those patties: Nice and thick. You want them hefty enough to make your guests question their life choices.
Grill it up on your Pit Boss: Give each side a good 4–5 minutes until the outside is crisp and the inside is juicy like a soap opera plot twist.
Top with cheese: Add that toasted onion cheese and let it melt into a bubbling mess of joy.
Finish strong: Toss on some extra dried cherries and those Spanish onions. Serve with confidence and possibly a napkin tucked into your shirt collar.

Flavor Breakdown:
The salsa and dried cherries add a sweet & spicy punch, while the cheese puffs give the burger an unexpected crunch and hint of cheesy rebellion. It’s not your grandpa’s burger… unless your grandpa was a competitive flavor wrestler with zero chill.

Hosting Tip:
Pair this burger with a tall glass of Sun Drop®, because nothing balances salsa heat and cheese puff dust quite like a cold citrus blast. Plus, it’s Wisconsin law* to have Sun Drop at your cookout.
*Not actual law, but it should be.

Vacation Vibes:
You know what this burger pairs best with? A grill-out by the lake. Which is why we’re dreaming of Minocqua, Wisconsin—where the air is clean, the water sparkles, and people respect a good burger. Pack your Pit Boss, toss your Rebex Cutlery in the truck, and head north for a weekend of fishing, hiking, and over-the-top burger showboating. 🌊🍔🎣
Learn more about this slice of heaven at minocqua.org

Slice Like a Pro: Need to cut those onions, olives, or feelings? You need Rebex Cutlery in your life. Use code GRILL15 at RebexCutlery.com and get 15% off your entire order. Because a good burger starts with a good slice.

Final Thoughts:
These burgers aren’t just meals—they’re moments. Loud, messy, glorious moments that remind you why you started grilling in the first place: to take risks, to have fun, and to serve something so bold it becomes legend.
Find more tastebud adventures, recipes, videos, and exclusive Grill’n Club goodies at www.maddogandmerrill.com. We bring the chaos, you bring the meat.

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Grilled Zucchini with Pimento Cheese, Sweet Peppers & Olives

8/7/2025

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Proof that vegetables can party, too.
Let’s be honest. Zucchini is the middle child of the vegetable world—always around, never the star, and constantly trying to prove it’s not just a soggy filler in stir fry. But toss it on a Pit Boss, give it a pimento cheese glow-up, and suddenly that humble little green guy becomes the Beyoncé of your backyard BBQ.

This recipe is a love letter to all the overlooked veggies out there, begging you to step away from the boring salad and dive face-first into melty, smoky zucchini greatness.

And if you’re feeling lucky after crushing the grill game? Treat yourself to a trip to Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen or Bagley, Minnesota. Because once you've mastered pimento zucchini, the only gamble left is what to grill next. 🎰🔥🥒

Ingredients You Probably Already Have (Because You're Fancy Like That):

Zucchini – slice it thick like it’s 90s toast. Nobody wants floppy zucchini.
Cooking oil – olive, avocado, or whatever makes you feel like you own a rustic farmhouse.
Salt & pepper – yes, the basics. Don’t skip ‘em.
Sweet peppers – for color, crunch, and personality.
Green olives – the salty zing that says, “I’m not afraid of flavor.”
Pimento cheese spread – the crown jewel of this masterpiece. Get the good stuff. Or make your own if you're feeling chef-y.

How to Grill Like a Zucchini Whisperer:

Slice that zucchini like it owes you money. Big, sturdy slices. No zucchini coins here.
Oil it up and season with salt and pepper. Be generous—zucchini has the personality of a wet sponge until you spice it up.
Toss those slices on your Pit Boss grill and let the magic happen. Give 'em a few minutes per side until grill marks show up and you feel like a professional.
While they're still on the grill, layer on the sweet peppers and green olives like you're dressing up a pizza without the crust.
Now smother that zucchini like your love language is “cheese.” Pimento cheese spread goes on last and melts right into every grilled groove.

Grillin’ Pro Tip:
Grilled zucchini is a total blank canvas. You could add crushed walnuts. You could sprinkle on crispy bacon. You could whisper compliments to it. Do what your grillin’ heart tells you.

And hey—if you’re cutting all those veggies with a butter knife, you’re doing it wrong. Grab your Rebex Cutlery and slice like a champion.
💸 Use code GRILL15 at RebexCutlery.com to save 15% and make your knife drawer jealous of itself.

Final Thoughts:
This grilled zucchini isn’t just a vegetable side dish. It’s a cheesy, smoky, flavor-loaded life decision. It’s for the folks who show up to the potluck and say, “Yes, I brought vegetables—but they slap.” 🔥

For more backyard brilliance, wild recipes, and perfectly inappropriate grill banter, check out www.maddogandmerrill.com. We’ll bring the fire. You bring the napkins.

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Pork Chutney Burgers: A Tangy Twist on Backyard Grillin’

8/7/2025

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These Pork Chutney Burgers are sweet, tangy, and a little sassy—just like your favorite backyard guest. Juicy pork meets cherry mustard, cranberry chutney, and a citrusy zing of lime, all crowned with melty pimento cheese, sweet peppers, and briny olives. It’s like a charcuterie board went rogue and became a burger. 🔥🍒🧀

When your burger game needs a glow-up, we bring in the chutney. These Pork Chutney Burgers combine the bold sweetness of cherry (or cranberry!) chutney with a lime-kissed tang, the rich heat of cherry mustard, and the creamy kick of pimento cheese. 💥 This is Midwest flavor, elevated—and you know we’re grilling them on a Pit Boss.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground pork
3 tbsp cherry or cranberry chutney (because we love our friends at the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers!)
Juice of 1 lime
3 tbsp cherry mustard
1 tbsp Mad Dog & Merrill® Up Nort' Pepper
Pimento cheese spread
Sliced sweet peppers
Sliced green olives

Directions:

Combine ground pork, chutney, lime juice, cherry mustard, and Up Nort' Pepper. Mix gently—don’t overwork that pork!
Form into patties and fire up your Pit Boss grill.
Grill until juicy and cooked through.
In the final minutes, smother patties in creamy pimento cheese spread. Let it melt like a cheesy dream.
Top with sweet peppers and green olives for a colorful, briny finish. 🌶️🫒

Grillin’ Notes:
This burger is a masterclass in balance—sweet, spicy, creamy, and a little zippy from the lime. If you’re a fan of fruit-and-meat combos, this might just be your new go-to grill favorite.

🔪 Don’t Forget Your Tools: Cut those peppers and olives cleanly and confidently with your trusty Rebex Cutlery. And hey--use code GRILL15 to get 15% off your next knife purchase. Sharp knives, sharp deals. 💸

Ready to try something bold and different? Get to the grill and serve up these Pork Chutney Burgers with a side of Midwest pride. For more recipes, tips, and grill magic, visit www.maddogandmerrill.com!

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Turkey Cherry Habanero Burgers: A Sweet Heat Backyard Feast

8/7/2025

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Sometimes you want a burger that bites back—and this one does it with a smile. These Turkey Cherry Habanero Burgers are a wild ride of flavor, balancing sweet cherries, fiery habanero, and a whole lotta love from your favorite Midwest Grill’n crew. 🍔💥

Made with lean ground turkey, punched up with Cherry Habanero Sauce, and built on the crunchy genius of Crushed Olive Oil & Cracked Pepper Triscuits, these patties are a flavor bomb waiting to detonate on your Pit Boss grill. 💣🔥

🛒 What You’ll Need:

1.5 lbs ground turkey
A generous splash of Cherry Habanero Sauce (or brew up your own batch of cranberry habanero sauce like our friends at the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers)
Crushed Cracked Pepper & Olive Oil Triscuits
Minced garlic
A hearty shake of Mad Dog & Merrill® Grillin’ Magic
Garlic & Herb Cheese Spread
Pineapple rings 🍍
Diced tomatoes 🍅
Sliced black olives 🫒

Let’s Get Grillin’:

In a large bowl, mix your ground turkey, cherry habanero sauce, crushed Triscuits, garlic, and Grillin’ Magic.
Form into burger patties and toss those beauties on a hot Pit Boss grill.
Once they’re just about done, slather them in garlic & herb cheese spread until things get gooey and glorious.
Top with pineapple rings, diced tomatoes, and black olives—because you’re not just grilling burgers, you’re building edible artwork.

Grillin’ Tip: Don't over-flip your patties! Let that turkey do its thing and get those gorgeous grill marks. Your spatula deserves a break.

The Midwest Grill’n Twist:
This burger is part spicy, part sweet, and all Wisconsin. We love pairing fruit and heat—and when you’ve got Wisconsin cherries or cranberries and habanero heat in the same sauce, you know you’re in for a ride. Add in some tropical pineapple and you've basically booked a vacation for your taste buds (minus the sunscreen). 🍍🌶️🍒

🔪 Bonus Shout-Out:Slice and dice with ease using Rebex Cutlery—the official blades of burger champions everywhere. ✂️🍅🧄 🪒 Save 10% on all Rebex Cutlery with the exclusive code MDM10 at checkout!

Hungry yet? Thought so. Fire up that Pit Boss, slap on your custom Mad Dog & Merrill® jersey, and let’s get Midwest wild with this burger masterpiece.
👉 For more mouthwatering madness, recipes, and exclusive Grill’n Club perks, visit www.maddogandmerrill.com!

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Seabreeze: The Backyard Cocktail That Thinks It's on Vacation

Salsa Beefy Burgers: Cheese Puff Chaos Meets Cherry-Infused Greatness

Grilled Zucchini with Pimento Cheese, Sweet Peppers & Olives

Pork Chutney Burgers: A Tangy Twist on Backyard Grillin’

Turkey Cherry Habanero Burgers: A Sweet Heat Backyard Feast

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