19 Big-Batch Cocktails for a Stress-Free Party

Party Drinks for a Crowd

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
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Updated on 05/11/21
Classic Pimm's and Lemonade

The Spruce 

Enjoy hosting a stress-free party by whipping up big-batch cocktails in advance. These easy drink recipes are made by the pitcher and designed to serve a small party, keeping you out of the bar so you can enjoy the good times with your friends. From fruity sangrias to mojitos, margaritas, and much more, these recipes offer an array of flavors to please any crowd.

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Watch Now: 3 Big-Batch Cocktails for Stress-Free Parties

  • 01 of 19

    Madras

    The Madras Cocktail

    The Spruce

    Many popular cocktails can be scaled up with ease. The madras is one example of how a single drink can turn into a wonderful fruity vodka punch. To make a large batch, simply pour three ounces of cranberry juice for every ounce each of vodka and orange juice. Add a little more vodka to taste and it's ready!

  • 02 of 19

    Pomegranate Mojito

    Pomegranate Mojitos

    The Spruce

    A little rum, pomegranate, and fresh mint create an amazing pomegranate mojito. This refreshing drink serves eight people and is perfect any time of year, especially when pomegranates come into season during the fall and winter months.

  • 03 of 19

    Best Party Sangria

    Glasses of red sangria next to a carafe

     The Spruce

    It's hard to resist sangria and there are endless variations to explore. For summer parties, serve a delicious sweet, red wine version. It requires just a few ingredients, including the typical wine and citrus but is spiced up with ginger ale and pineapple.

  • 04 of 19

    White Wine Mojito

    White Wine Mojito

    Lumina Images / Blend Images / Getty Images

    The mojito makes a great pitcher drink because it's so simple. For a fun twist, mix one up using white wine. It swaps rum for vino and adds sparkling lemonade to the mix. You'll love how easy it is and your guests will fall for the familiar-yet-unique flavor.

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  • 05 of 19

    Raspberry Tequila Sangria

    Raspberry Tequila Sangria

    Getty Images / The Image Box

    It's a berrylicious margarita and sangria in one pitcher and everyone will want a taste of this raspberry tequila sangria. The recipe muddles fresh raspberries with white wine, tequila, and triple sec, then gets a brilliant sparkle from ginger ale.

  • 06 of 19

    Pineapple Mimosa

    Pineapple Mimosas

    Getty Images/Jonelle Weaver

    Take your pitcher of mimosas to new heights with pineapple. The recipe combines lemon and orange juices, is sweetened with honey syrup, and gets a nice fizziness from Prosecco. Despite all that, it's the pineapple vodka that really steals the show!

  • 07 of 19

    New Zealander Sangria

    The New Zealander Sangria
    Brian Macdonald/Photolibrary/Getty Images

    Kiwis and tangerines are the stars of this New Zealander sangria. It's ideal for a casual brunch, pairing perfectly with any sweet or savory bites you might serve. You can think of it as dressing up a good sauvignon blanc with tropical fruits.

  • 08 of 19

    Belmont Jewel

    Woodford Reserve's Belmont Jewel Cocktail

    The Spruce

    For any group that enjoys a good whiskey cocktail, this one's a guaranteed hit. The Belmont jewel is a delicious combination of bourbon, lemonade, and pomegranate juice. The recipe makes a single drink, so simply increase the ingredients in proportion to fill a pitcher.

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  • 09 of 19

    Red Stag Lemonade

    Jim Beam Red Stag Lemonade

    S&C Design Studios

    Cherry-flavored bourbon and sweet strawberry liqueur form the foundation of the Red Stag lemonade. It's as delicious as it sounds, especially once topped with soda. The recipe is easy to size up to any group, whether you have four guests or 24.

  • 10 of 19

    Pimm's and Lemonade

    Classic Pimms and lemonade recipe

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

    Pimm's is as British as Earl Grey tea and it's fantastic with a fizzy lemonade. Toss in fresh cucumber, mint, oranges, and strawberries and you have the unforgettable Pimm's and lemonade, a lovely addition to any summer affair.

  • 11 of 19

    Summer Peach Tea

    Summer Peach Tea Cocktail With Whiskey
    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

    With a pitcher of iced tea and two easy-to-find spirits, you can treat your guests to a summer peach tea. To fill a large vessel, simply pour one part each Canadian whisky and peach schnapps to four parts iced tea.

  • 12 of 19

    Sparkling Strawberry Rosé

    Sparkling Strawberry Rosé Cocktail
    Jamie Grill / Getty Images

    Transform any sparkling rosé into a tantalizing cocktail with this recipe. It pairs two homemade ingredients—strawberry vodka and basil syrup—with the pink wine, pear nectar, and lemon juice. The recipe shows you how to adapt it for any number of guests, too.

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  • 13 of 19

    Lavender Vodka Spritzer

    Lavender Vodka Spritzer

    The Spruce

    Taste the beautiful marriage of lavender and blueberries in this vodka spritzer. This stunning purple cocktail serves four and is a wonderful way to show off a new bottle of vodka.

  • 14 of 19

    Ultimate Pitcher of Bloody Mary

    Make Ahead Mix for an Instant Bloody Mary Cocktail
    BRETT STEVENS/Cultura/Getty Images

    Bloody Marys are great, but much easier to make by the pitcher. This recipe will help you create a fantastic tasting base mix. Each guest can then make their own drink, whether they like it booze-free or prefer vodka, tequila, or gin.

  • 15 of 19

    Salty Dog

    Salty Dog Cocktail

    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios 

    The salty dog is ideal when you have a bunch of gin lovers in the room. The recipe is a 2:1 mix of grapefruit juice and gin, so filling a pitcher two-thirds with grapefruit and ice means you'll just top it off with gin. Don't forget to rim the glasses or it won't be "salty."

  • 16 of 19

    Late Night Lychee Margarita

    The Late Night Lychee Margarita with lychee and jalapeno
    Sauza Tequila

    How about a sweet and spicy margarita for the party? The late night lychee margarita sounds funky, but the flavor is amazing. It mixes tequila with lychee syrup, cilantro, and jalapeños, and serves eight guests who are up for a cocktail adventure.

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  • 17 of 19

    Peach Punch

    Peach Punch
    Lisa Hubbard / Photolibrary / Getty Images

    Peach vodka gives the average punch a summery twist. Written for a single serving, the recipe is easy to make for a group because the elderflower liqueur and lime and orange juices are poured in equal amounts. No hard math here—just a purely delightful drink that's worth sharing.

  • 18 of 19

    Apricot Sunray

    Hennessy Black Apricot Sunray Punch
    Foodcollection RF/Getty Images

    One of the brightest brandy recipes you'll find, the apricot sunray should not be overlooked. It's a Champagne punch that piles on the apricot-flavored ingredients and tosses in some blood orange juice that plays off the cognac nicely.

  • 19 of 19

    Raspberry Snakebite

    Raspberry Snakebite - Vanilla Porter, Hard Cider, and Fresh Raspberry Beertail
    ekash / Getty Images

    The raspberry snakebite is a simple mixed drink and you can make as much as needed. Simply pour a vanilla porter, then half that amount of hard apple cider, followed by half that amount of raspberry juice. It's fun and lively, and definitely a unique way to enjoy beer.