In order to throw a great party, your guests will need drinks. But you don’t want everyone having a free-for-all in your kitchen, and the last thing you need is to become a bartender for the evening. The answer is big-batch cocktails.
Big-batch cocktails, with alcohol or not, are the answer to a stress-free evening. In this article, we’re sharing some of our favourite big-batch cocktail recipes. But first:
Can All Cocktails be Made in Big Batches?
The short answer is no. The truth is, some cocktails just work better than others made in big batches, while others will lose flavour, structure, or carbonation.
If you have to shake your cocktail, it probably isn’t a good option for batching. Another cocktail to stay away from is anything that relies on soda or soda water. Once you leave these cocktails out for a bit, especially if its’s warm, they’ll lose carbonation and turn out flat. Anything made with egg whites, beer, or other foaming ingredients will not turn out nicely in a big batch. Lastly, stay away from cocktails that rely on lots of fresh juice. Once left out, the pulp will separate, and the flavour will be noticeably different if you’re the first pour versus the last.
The ideal cocktail for large batching is one that only needs to be stirred. That’s because cocktails like these typically contain a combination of alcohol, bitters, and sugar – all super stable ingredients that won’t separate, dilute, or lost their punch.
Rum + Pineapple Punch
Punch is the classic option for serving a party. But if you want to get tropical, try this rum and pineapple punch made with 3 different fruit juices. Just be sure to give everything a big stir before pouring into individual servings to ensure the juices are well combined.
Ingredients (serves 6)
- 2 cups pineapple juice
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 cup mango nectar
- 2 cups dark rum
- ¼ cup grenadine
- Pineapple wedges (garnish)
Old Fashioned
The old fashioned is the ideal big batch cocktail, because it contains no carbonation or fresh fruit juice. Just liquor, bitters and sugar. It also doesn’t require a blender – just a decent stir. But beware, if your guests aren’t used to drinking bourbon-forward cocktails, this recipe might be better stashed for personal use.
Ingredients (serves 12)
- 1 bottle of bourbon (750ml)
- 2 oz simple syrup
- 10-12 dashes of Angostura bitters
- Orange peel (garnish)
Pomegranate Margarita
Take your party guests to Margaritaville with this flavourful pomegranate margarita recipe. If you want to take things to the next level, setup a self-serve rim salting station with granulated sugar and lime zest. Don’t forget to stir your margarita mix before serving and add all ice and garnish into individual serving glasses – not the whole pitcher.
Ingredients (serves 8)
- 8 oz lime juice
- 16 oz tequila
- 16 oz pomegranate juice
- 6 oz triple sec
- 6 oz simple syrup
- Ice
- Lime wedges (garnish)
Wassail
The history of the Wassail dates back hundreds of years to the English Middle Ages. The warming beverage is still enjoyed to this day at holiday parties and as part of the ancient English Yuletide drinking ritual. The wassail is sweet and spicy, the perfect choice for a cold winter’s night.
This recipe is a little more complicated than just throwing all ingredients in a pitcher and giving it a good stir. For the wassail, insert your cloves into the apples, then add all the ingredients to a large pot over medium/low heat. Once simmering, let it sit for 30-45 minutes. Once you remove the cloves, the wassail is ready to enjoy.
Ingredients (serves 10)
- 2 apples
- 8 cups apple cider
- 2 cups orange juice
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 12 cloves
- ¼ tsp ginger
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
Strawberry Daquiri
A frozen strawberry daquiri is a great choice for a warm summer day, but don’t let the seasons tie you down. If you love strawberries, this recipe should be enjoyed year-round. With just 4 ingredients it’s also super simple, provided you have a hard-working blender. When you’re ready to serve, it’s a guide idea to run then blender once more to ensure everything is well mixed.
Ingredients (serves 8)
- 16 cups of frozen strawberries
- 4 cups rum
- 1 cup lime juice
- 1 cup simple syrup
Storing and Serving Batch Cocktails
When it comes to serving cocktails in big batches, storage is key. This is especially true if you’ve preparing your beverages the day before. If they need to be chilled, ensure the drinks are stored in a sealed container (ideally glass) so the other aromas from the refrigerator don’t leach into the cocktail. It’s also a good idea to leave some room at the top of the bottle, jar, or pitcher. Especially if your cocktail does have some carbonation in it, changing temperatures could produce a little explosion if your drink doesn’t have room to breathe.
If you’re going all out and want to impress your guests with some beautiful garnish atop their cocktails, be sure to add that when serving. Garnishes like flowers, herbs, and fruits just won’t look as pretty when left overnight.
Finally, always add your ice into individual cups when serving. By adding it all at once to the big batch, drinks will become watery and diluted real fast. It will help to keep an ice bucket nearby so guests can help themselves.
Ready to stock up for your party? Stop by your local Springs Group liquor store for the biggest selection, monthly specials, giveaways and grand prizes. Plus, our friendly staff would be happy to help you pick something out.
