25 Refreshing Big-Batch Cocktails That Make Serving a Crowd Easy

Simplify your party prep with pitchers of summer-ready punch, sangria, cocktails, and spiked teas.

By

Jennifer Anderson

and

Blythe Copeland

Updated on June 6, 2023

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smoky lemon margarita in round glass pitcher — Photo: Petrina Tinslay

We're all about finding clever ways to make entertaining simpler and less stressful, which is why big-batch cocktails belong at every party, from a casual cookout to a swanky soirée. Pre-mixed beverages allow the host to prep ahead of time and the guests to serve themselves, so everyone can relax and have fun as soon as the party starts.

While you can easily size up the following big-batch cocktail recipes (most of which you can serve in a pitcher!) to suit a larger crowd, remember that many single-drink recipes you might find elsewhere are formulated to be mixed in a shaker full of ice or served over ice in a glass, which waters down the alcohol. If you set out a pitcher of full-strength margaritas or negronis based on a single-serve recipe and let guests serve themselves, it could end up being a short, messy party.

Instead, opt for recipes developed specifically for batch preparation, like the fruity sangrias, sparkling punches, spiked teas, and icy cocktails on our list—each one is perfect for a warm-weather party.

01 of 25

Stonefruit Sangria

iced fruit sangria

Call on one of summer's best bounties—stone fruit!—to make a unique, but crowd-pleasing big-batch cocktail. Pitted cherries and sliced peaches, nectarines, and plums are combined with a punchy peach liqueur, dry white wine, and cold ginger ale. Take it from this happy reviewer: "I made this and it was the best sangria I've ever tasted. Even my sommelier husband approved."

02 of 25

Rose Sangria with Nectarines and Strawberries

Rose Sangria with Nectarines and Strawberries — Noe Dewitt

Dry rosé wine, the base for this lighter take on classic sangria, is steeped with fresh strawberries and juicy nectarines, and garnished with a sprig of just-picked mint (but store-bought mint works, too!).

03 of 25

Yellow Watermelon Margaritas

Yellow-Watermelon Margarita — Noe Dewitt

Puréed yellow watermelon adds a sunny color to this frozen drink, while homemade lime syrup, tequila, and elderflower liqueur provide subtle sweet and tart accents. Mix the batch drink up to two days in advance; then shake each serving with ice to chill before serving.

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Orange-Mint Margarita

orange-mint margarita — Paola + Murray

A pitcher full of margaritas on the rocks is a welcome sight at any gathering, whether it's a backyard barbecue or a ladies lunch. This citrus version, garnished with orange rounds and fresh mint, is a bright and vibrant warm-weather option.

05 of 25

Kentucky Half-and-Half

Kentucky Half-and-Half — Petrina Tinslay

Toast to 18 holes well played with this twist on a traditional Arnold Palmer. Mix black tea with bourbon instead of lemonade; add lemon simple syrup in a nod to the original recipe.

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Celery-Lime Gimlet

celery-lime-gimlet — Paola + Murray

The earth, tangy taste of fresh celery is tamed by muddling the vegetable in a pitcher with sugar, while the addition of lime juice and gin provide a time-honored complement.

07 of 25

Boozy Frozen Lemonade

frozen gin terragon lemonade — Christopher Testani

This isn't lemonade the way you made it as a kid. Instead of the powdered mix that inspired countless childhood lemonade stands, this boozy version—made with tarragon simple syrup, lemon juice, and gin—is an adult-approved frozen alternative that you can make for a crowd.

08 of 25

Aperol Gin Punch

farm punch — Paola + Murray

This quick-prep punch comes together in just 10 minutes (make it ahead to lighten your day-of to-do list). Mix equal parts gin, Aperol, Lillet Blanc, and lime juice with an optional dash of orange blossom water, a sprig of fresh basil, and colorful edible flowers.

09 of 25

Aperol Jasmine Spritz

Aperol Jasmine Spritz — Petrina Tinslay

A take on both the Jasmine gin cocktail and the trendy Aperol spritz, this bubbly drink includes homemade lemon syrup and a garnish of fresh rosemary.

10 of 25

Pineapple-Rum Cocktail

The tropical color of this cocktail isn't the only thing that will have you feeling like you're sunning yourself in the Caribbean with every sip: The combination of pineapple juice and rum tastes like a mini vacation, even in your own backyard.

11 of 25

Hibiscus-Honey Iced Tea

Iced tea may be one of the simplest warm-weather drinks you can make, but floral hibiscus tea bags, lime juice, honey, and light rum make this version anything but basic (and, of course, boozy!).

12 of 25

Strawberry Ginger Smash

Strawberry-Ginger Smash Recipe — Paola + Murray

Make the most of a basket of strawberries fresh-picked from the farm by mixing up a pitcher of strawberry ginger smash, which combines the chopped fruit with fresh ginger, ginger beer, and vodka.

13 of 25

Fizzy Fruit Punch

summer cocktail pitcher — NICO SCHINCO

This classic fruit punch, made with sugared fruit, orange juice, cherry juice, and unsweetened seltzer, is an elevated version of your favorite summer throwback drink. Add white rum or tequila for an adults-only beverage.

14 of 25

Pineapple-Raspberry Bellini

pineapple raspberry bellini — Armando Rafael

The bold pink color of this fruity bellini comes from 2 cups of puréed raspberries, while pineapple juice, sparkling wine, and seltzer provide a sweet, bubbly finish.

15 of 25

Negroni Sbagliato

Negroni Sbagliato — Mikkel Vang

Made with Prosecco instead of gin, this lower-proof version of an Italian Negroni mixes Campari, vermouth, lemon juice and club soda with the sparkling wine. Top this pitcher drink with orange and rosemary to elevate the bar menu at your poolside cocktail hour.

16 of 25

Classic Sangria

classic sangria — Anders Schonnemann

Spanish sangria is the perfect make-ahead drink for parties of any size, since the longer you let the fruit soak int the wine, the better the resulting taste. This traditional recipe calls for soaking an orange, lime, apple, and grapes in a mixture of dry red wine, lemon-lime soda, and brandy,

17 of 25

Smoky Lemon Margarita

smoky lemon margarita in round glass pitcher — Petrina Tinslay

Smoky mezcal and tart lemon cut the sweetness of orange liqueur and simple syrup in this margarita recipe, served with fresh orange slices and frozen lemon wedges.

18 of 25

Daniel Webster's Punch

Meredith Jenk

The presentation suggestion for this circa-1869 punch involves lining a punch bowl with pineapple rounds, while floating orange and lemon slices, star anise, and nutmeg on the top. The rest of the instructions are simpler: Mix citrusy oleo saccharum with brewed black tea, lemon juice, Jamaican black rum, oloroso sherry, and Bordeaux red wine for a big-batch mixed drink that's on the savory side.

19 of 25

Pina Colada

pina colada — Bryan Gardner

Skip the bottled mixes to prepare a batch of from-scratch pina coladas, using fresh pineapple chunks, gold or white rum, cream of coconut, and ice.

20 of 25

Lemony Spiked Sweet Tea

Classic Southern sweet tea, made from orange pekoe tea bags, simple syrup, and lemon juice, is given an after-5-p.m. makeover with the addition of a cup of high-proof golden rum.

21 of 25

Big-Batch Lemon-Mint Julep

Big-Batch Lemon-Mint Julep

Whether you're watching the Kentucky Derby or looking for a crowd-pleasing cocktail for a summer dinner party, this how-to for mint juleps makes it easy to mix up a batch to serve 16.

22 of 25

Lillet-Vodka Cocktails

The bright flavor of orange juice complements herb-infused Lillet Blanc and vodka in this refreshing big-batch drink.

23 of 25

Fresh Grapefruit-Campari Cocktails

Sweet-tart grapefruit juice freshens up a blend of Campari, club soda, and simple syrup. Top each drink with a twist of grapefruit peel for an individual, custom garnish.

24 of 25

Vodka-Thyme Lemonade

Old-fashioned lemonade gets an elegant herbal boost with homemade simple syrup infused with thyme. (Fresh springs lining the pitcher are a woodsy accent against the vibrant color.)

25 of 25

Clerico

clerico sangria pitcher — Aaron Dyer

This South American standby, a white wine version of sangria, calls for a dry white wine, brandy, and sliced peaches, strawberries, and grapes. Chill for at least two hours, and finish with rounds of fresh banana just before pouring.

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