Cocktail

21 Big-Batch Cocktails for Stress-Free Entertaining

Step away from your cocktail shaker—if more than a couple of people are having drinks, you need to batch.
21 Best Batch Cocktails to Serve a Crowd
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell

Shaking individual drinks for each person at a party isn’t every host’s idea of fun. Planning ahead with big-batch cocktails means that guests can serve themselves, and the host can actually have a good time too. Below you'll find some of our favorite pitcher cocktails and punches, plus some drinks you can put in a swing-top bottle and stash in your fridge or freezer. (Think of it like meal prepping for happy hour.) There’s something for everyone here, whether you’re looking for cocktails made withgin,whiskey,mezcal, amaro, brandy, orrum.

  • Top view of cranberry cocktail with lemon slices in a large punch bowl.
    Photo by Kelly Puleio
    1/21

    Sneaky Peat

    Our digital director knows a thing or two about batch cocktails—she actually wrotea book about thema few years back. Consider this recipe your free preview: This smoky, tart, and softly-spiced fall drink comes from Laura Newman of Queen’s Park in Birmingham, Alabama. It's the perfect punch for yourThanksgivingor holiday celebration.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell
    2/21

    Scotchy Boulevardiers for a Crowd

    Mix this simple 4-ingredient cocktail and stash it in a quart-size jar in your freezer. If you like to drink anegronibut you're feeling like whiskey, this is the one for you.

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  • 3/21

    Everything Good Cocktail

    This orange-tinged mezcal cocktail is the perfect after-dinner drink for a gathering. It's especially wonderful with a slice ofpie.

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  • Photo by Kelly Puleio
    4/21

    Perfect Circle

    An easy pitcher of extra-refreshing spritzes made with fino sherry and Campari.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell
    5/21

    Pomegranate Prosecco Punch

    This easy punch, made with pomegranate juice and lime juice and garnished with clementines, transforms a few bottles of Prosecco into something even more festive.

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  • Photo by Kelly Puleio
    6/21

    Islay and Olive

    Martinis are great make-ahead drinks. This variation goes super-savory and briny, pairingvodkawith a touch of scotch and olives four ways.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne
    7/21

    Aperitif Scorpion Bowls

    Lower-ABVcommunal drinks are ideal for a mellow and lengthy gathering. This one pairs sweet vermouth and whatever amaro you have, plus bitters and sparkling water.

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  • Photo by Alice Gao, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Diana Yen
    8/21

    Champagne Punch with Ginger, Lemon, and Sage

    This sparkling punch, with its aromatic mixture of sage, lemon, and ginger, is refreshing and bright, like a crisp early-winter evening.

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  • Photograph by Kelly Puleio
    9/21

    Tingly Pomegranate Rum Punch

    It's not tricky to give this punch its tingle—you just spoon some Sichuan peppercorns into the bottle of rum and let it sit for 24 hours.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Astrid Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell
    10/21

    Raspberry and Thyme Hot Toddy Punch

    As winter arrives, you need to start thinking abouthot cocktailsfor a crowd. This warming punch has a touch of raspberry liqueur, plus rye whiskey, fresh lemon juice, and black tea for balance.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Anna Surbatovich, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson
    11/21

    Thanksgiving Sangria

    Combining favorite fall fruits and spices with sparkling cider, rum, and wine gives sangria a refreshing new spin.

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  • Photo by Kelly Puleio
    12/21

    Infinity Pool

    The vegetal flavor of celery juice is wonderful paired with fruity, citrusy Lillet, savory mezcal, and a pinch of smoked salt. Garnish the pitcher with extra lemon wheels if you like.

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  • Photo by Peden & Munk
    13/21

    Manhattans By the Pitcher

    Manhattans for everyone! This classy, no-fuss version of the drink featuresbourbon, but you can also make it with rye.

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  • Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott
    14/21

    Under-the-Mistletoe Punch

    This one is an easy sipper: nutty sherry, dry vermouth, cranberry juice cocktail, and tart lemon come together with a simple syrup that's spiced with cloves, cinnamon, and allspice.

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  • 15/21

    All She Wrote

    One great thing about some batched cocktails is that you can experiment with aging them. Our digital director kept a jar of this cocktail in her freezer for a year, leaving the bitters to add just before serving. The results? Wildly delicious.

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  • 图片由约瑟夫·德·利奥,苏珊Otta样式的食物viano
    16/21

    Jam Session

    The next time you're hanging around a pool with a group of friends, make a pitcher of this super-simple sherry and watermelon cocktail.

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  • Photo by Teri Lyn Fisher.
    17/21

    French 75 Punch

    TheFrench 75isn't usually served as a punch, but making a large-format version definitely makes hosting easier. Freeze some orange wheels inside your ice block for a fancier presentation.

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  • Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott
    18/21

    Apple Cider and Rum Punch

    Here's autumn in a glass; this is one of thosefall cocktailsthat you'll want to share with friends.

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  • Photo by Bobbi Lin
    19/21

    Earl Grey–Bourbon Punch

    Honey, thyme, rosemary, and fragrant Earl Grey tea add herbal complexity to this bourbon and brandy punch.

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  • Cedric Angeles
    20/21

    The Long Hello

    Looking for ways to use a bottle of Calvados or apple brandy? This softly floral, fizzy punch is perfect for serving a crowd. Feel free to substitute any good-tasting sparkling wine for the Champagne.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Simon Andrews
    21/21

    Champagne Punch With Brandy and Citrus

    Fresh mint, lemon, lime, and grapefruit keep this punch from tasting too sweet. When you're looking for batch cocktails you can make ahead, know that you just need to hold off on adding the sparkling wine until just before serving.

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