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The Spruce Eats / Amelia Manley
Whether you are batching festive cocktails for a party, prepping beverages for an outdoor event, or just need to keep fresh cucumber water in the fridge at the ready, there's a range of beverage dispensers available for all of your large-scale sipping needs.
Some are designed for serving many, with multiple-gallon capacity, while others are crafted for fancy punches that will allow you to display citrus, herbs, and other garnishes to your drink. We've gathered our favorites for a variety of beverages and occasions.
Here are the best beverage dispensers to get right now.
Best Overall
Buddeez Unbreakable 3.5-Gallon Beverage Dispenser
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Amazon
Large capacity
Removable ice cone feature
Chalkboard placard to identify drinks
Dishwasher friendly
Material may scratch easily
Made of Tritan (a glass-like, impact-resistant plastic), this dispenser is virtually unbreakable, making it a great alternative to standard glass beverage dispensers. Furthermore, the no-drop Tomlinson faucet prevents leaks and spills.
On top sits a removable ice cone. Fill it with cubes to keep drinks chilled without watering them down, and simply refill the cone when the first batch melts. The bottom portion of the dispenser features an open compartment that can be used for decoration—add fruit, florals, or other decorations to add a little pizzazz. This cooler holds a generous 3.5 gallons and, as a nice bonus, includes a small chalkboard for labeling what’s inside.
Price at the time of publish: $57
Capacity: 3.5 gallons | Material: BPA-free plastic | Dimensions: 10.5 x 11.34 x 19 in. | Weight: 5 lbs | Includes: Dispenser with spigot, removable ice cone, washable chalkboard placard and stand
Best Budget
Threshold 2-Gallon Glass Modern Beverage Dispenser
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Target
Sleek design
Inexpensive
Easy to clean
The lid does not seal tightly
Elevate a summer punch or winter sangria with this modern dispenser from Target's Threshold brand. This sleekly designed modern dispenser holds up to 2 gallons, so you won't have to worry about replenishing drinks throughout a party or event, and can focus on having fun yourself. At a wallet-friendly price of $30, you can also put your dollars toward some top-shelf gin or bourbon for that perfect festive batched cocktail. Display pretty garnishes through the glass by floating slices of citrus and berries, or even cinnamon sticks and star anise. Although this is hand wash only, the clean lines and simple shape make this dispenser an easy one to clean.
Price at the time of publish: $30
Capacity: 2 gallons | Material: Glass, Stainless Steel, and Wood | Dimensions: 11.5" H x 7.75" W | Weight: 5 lbs | Includes: Beverage dispenser with lid and spigot
Best Personalized
Uncommon Goods Personalized Whiskey Barrel
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Great for barrel aging cocktails
Makes a unique, individualized gift
Attractive design, conversation piece
Limited usage
Calling all whiskey lovers: This spirited dispenser channels the massive oak barrels that your favorite drams are aged in. The barrel further ages your whiskey for you, and when it’s ready, dispenses it via a small spigot. Best of all, you can perch this barrel on top of a bar or bar cart, just as you would your favorite show bottle. If that wasn’t enticing enough, you can add your own "distillery" name to the barrel and add a date, city, and state.
Note that this oak barrel will impart flavors from the wood (aging in oak adds flavors of vanilla, butter, coconut, and caramel to whiskeys), so beware of pouring expensive bottles into it. To start, try one of your favorite affordable bottles to see how the oak changes its flavor profile. This barrel comes in 2- or 5-liter sizes.
Price at the time of publish: $85 (2L), $110 (5L)
Capacity: 2 liters, 5 liters | Material: Oak wood | Dimensions: 2L Barrel: 7.5" L x 5" Dia; 5L Barrel: 9.5" L x 6.5" Dia, | Weight: 2L Barrel: 2.5 lbs; 5L Barrel: 5.5 lbs | Includes: Custom barrel and stand
Best Modern
Twine Country Cottage Pearl Beverage Dispenser
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Amazon
Fun, modern design
Fairly lightweight
Perfect for brunches or showers
Glass is thin and fragile
Spout is plastic
Looking to spruce up an elegant brunch or wedding shower? This stylish teardrop-shaped dispenser should do the trick! The delicate glass shape has a bronze-colored spigot and is topped with a large cork topper. Whip up a sparkling rosé punch for that perfect brunch sipper and throw in some edible flowers or berries to make it extra chic.
Price at the time of publish: $85
Capacity: 2.5 gallons | Material: Glass, cork, plastic (bronze colored finish) | Dimensions: 8.5 x 10.75 x 14 inches | Weight: 3.62 lbs | Includes: Beverage dispenser with cork stopper
Best Dispenser Set
Rosalind Wheeler 5-piece Beverage Dispenser Set
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Wayfair
Versatile drink options
Built in set
Vintage-inspired design
Glasses could use lids
Heavy
There's nothing quite like a rustic jar-style set to add a little southern charm to your festivities. This beverage dispenser holds 96 ounces—enough to fill 12 8-ounce glasses with spiked sweet tea or pre-batched Moscow mule. One of the biggest draws to this vintage-inspired set is that it comes with four matching 8-ounce jar glasses with handles. Consider picking up fun straws, to complete the whimsical look.
Pour the first round right into the glasses, and then use the beverage dispenser to keep the drinks flowing throughout the evening. Both the glasses and the beverage dispenser are dishwasher safe. This set is a great addition to a picnic, campsite, or any outdoor event that needs a little country whimsy.
Price at the time of publish: $70
Capacity: 96 ounces | Material: Glass | Dimensions: 12.4'' H x 7.87'' W x 7.87'' L | Weight: 9.77 lbs | Includes: Glass jar with spigot, 4 glasses
Best for Hot Beverages
Choice Deluxe Stainless Steel 48-Cup Coffee Urn
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Webstaurant
Keeps beverages hot for hours
Sleek, elegant design
Cordless
Can be versatile
Lid gets very hot
Difficult to remove scratches or fingerprints
Whether your hot beverage of choice is coffee or a hot toddy, this urn is designed to keep it warm for hours without the use of electricity. With a roomy 3-gallon capacity, it’s an excellent option for buffet-style dinners, weddings, or chilly-weather parties, where a warm beverage is needed. It holds 48 cups of coffee (or something stronger).
Chicer than your average coffee urn, this sleek stainless steel beverage dispenser features retro-inspired gold detailing. The metal is finished with rust-, corrosion-, and leak-proof coating. Beverages are dispensed via a press-down handle.
If you do need a little extra power to keep the drinks warm for longer, the beverage dispenser is outfitted with a fuel holder (fuel sold separately). A gold-accented set of handles, lid and sturdy legs finish it off.
Price at the time of publish: $100
Capacity: 3 gallons | Material: 18/10 Stainless Steel (with gold trim) | Dimensions: 11.5 x 11.5 x 18.6 inches | Weight: 10.5 lbs | Includes: Beverage dispenser with lid, faucet, two handles and built-in fuel holder
Best Small Capacity
Kook Glass Drink Dispenser
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Amazon
Thin design, small footprint
Durable glass
Stainless steel spigot
Handwash only
If you're looking for a dispenser that doesn't take up half your countertop space and can easily fit into the fridge, this Kook Glass Drink Dispenser will handle the job beautifully. At an 80-ounce capacity, you'll still be able to get a generous amount of liquid in, but the footprint won't be as sizable as some of these other dispensers. This Mason jar inspired dispenser is made from thick, durable glass and has an equally sturdy spigot made from stainless steel.
Price at the time of publish: $30
Capacity: 80 ounces | Material: Glass, stainless steel | Dimensions: 3.2 x 3.2 x 12 inches | Weight: 4.16 lbs | Includes: Beverage dispenser with lid
The Buddeez 3.5 Gallon Drink Dispenser checks a lot of our large-scale drinking boxes. It has a generous capacity, comes with its own stand (that doubles as a fun display), and has an ice cone to keep your drink cold for hours. For something custom that will impart oaky flavors to dreamy drams, we recommend the Uncommon Goods Personalized Whiskey Barrel.
What to Look for in a Beverage Dispenser
Material
There are many options available for beverage dispensers, and those options include the materials that they are made with. Each one has its own personality and can be a conversation piece at any gathering. They can be made from glass, plastic, wood, metal, and even rock. It all comes down to what you like and also what beverage will be in the dispenser.
Dispensing Amount
Decipher how much a dispenser needs to hold with your desired drink before selecting the right one for you. Do you need one that holds a 750-milliliter bottle of wine, one that can hold over 3 gallons, or even up to 5 liters?
Design
What look fits best with your style? Are you contemporary or classic? What are your favorite colors and how will the dispenser of your choice fit displayed on your kitchen counter or bar?
FAQs
What do you use a beverage dispenser for?
We've all seen these in restaurants and most likely dispensed our own drink into a cup from one. Put the desired beverage in one—whether it's juice, water, tea, wine, or liquor.
Can beverage dispensers be used for both hot and cold drinks?
Yes! Check the specifications and manufacturer's manual to make sure you are getting one that will do both—if this is what you need.
How do you clean a beverage dispenser and the spigot?
You can fill the container with warm water and a drop of dish soap. Or you can fill the container with water and use a tablespoon or two of white vinegar. In either case, turn on the spigot and run the mixture through to clean it out. Rinse thoroughly, making sure to run clean water through the spigot to get rid of any residue.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Kate Dingwall is a freelance writer whose work focuses on food, drinks, and travel. She is based in Toronto and holds a Wine & Spirit Education Trust Level III qualification.
Prairie Rose is the Commerce Drinks Editor at The Spruce Eats. She is a seasoned drinks writer, trained sommelier, wine and spirits educator, and the author of the book "Mixology for Beginners: Innovative Craft Cocktails for the Home Bartender."