14 Crowd-Pleasing Big Batch Cocktails You Can Easily Make

1. Bourbon-Campari Punch

This colorful holiday drink is as pleasing to the eyes as it is to the taste, thanks to the pomegranate juice. It's both sweet and tangy. Use a Bundt pan to create a classic ice ring with pomegranate juice and arils (seeds), and let it freeze for about 4 hours.

2. Cucumber Spritzer

This refreshing spritzer is made with homemade mint simple syrup, fresh lime juice, and cucumber. The recipe yields eight cocktails, but feel free to double or triple the ingredients if you're making a larger batch. For a mocktail version, simply swap the gin for extra club soda.

3. Gin-Cider Punch

This crisp and refreshing drink (pictured on the left) combines apple cider, gin, and elderflower for a light, invigorating flavor. Add slices of apples and lemon rounds as a garnish to complete this autumn-inspired, large-batch cocktail.

4. Holiday Punch

This punch, inspired by the Caribbean, was crafted with the holiday season in mind, but its rich, layered flavor can be enjoyed all year long. Though the ingredient list is a bit lengthy (nine items, including three different types of alcohol), it yields 25 servings, making it a worthwhile trip to the store.

5. Minty Moscow Mule Punch

This punch version of the classic Moscow mule is just as smooth and refreshing, with one delicious twist: a hint of cool, inviting mint. The spicier your ginger beer, the more heat and boldness your punch will pack—so pick your ginger beer wisely.

6. Sweet-and-Spicy Mulled Wine

A hearty blend of black peppercorns and fresh, spicy ginger perfectly balances the sweetness of added sugar, transforming two bottles of dry red wine into a cozy, comforting party punch. With 30 minutes for the mulling spices to work their magic, you’ll have plenty of time to stoke the fire and grab a sweater.

7. Classic Mulled Wine

Skip the spices from the previous mulled wine recipe and embrace warming, caramel-like flavors such as maple syrup, aged rum, and nutmeg. The result is a sweeter, smoother mulled wine that’s perfect for any large winter gathering. To balance the richness, opt for a medium-bodied red like Chianti and add a splash of fresh orange juice—and remember to warm the wine slowly (no boiling).

8. Frozen Rosé - Frosé

It does take some preparation—8 hours, to be exact—but this trendy adults-only slushie is absolutely worth the wait. The process begins with making rosé ice cubes, and ends with blending them with vodka and grenadine, before serving the refreshing concoction in wine glasses to guests who need a cool down.

9. Bloody Mary

Whether enjoyed during brunch, happy hour, or as a remedy the morning after, this classic cocktail recipe is guaranteed to please loyal fans and convert even the skeptics. With a punch from horseradish, hot sauce, celery salt, and pepperoncini peppers, this version delivers a spicy kick that’s not for the faint of heart.

10. White Grapefruit-Ginger Spritz

This vibrant, herby, large-scale recipe infuses a homemade syrup with freshly chopped ginger. Allow about 40 minutes for the mixture to chill, then add cold grapefruit juice and chilled Prosecco just before serving. Garnished with slices and sprigs of thyme, each refreshing cocktail is designed to cool you off.

11. Fall Cider Sangria

Hosts often have a lot on their plate at the last minute, but this simple recipe eliminates the need to stress about mixing cocktails. Prepare a large batch in advance—anywhere from 4 to 24 hours—by blending an apple, pear, and orange with apple brandy, white wine, and apple cider. Your guests are sure to love it!

12. Holiday Negroni

Add festive flair to the classic Italian Negroni with holiday spices like star anise, cinnamon, and cloves for the ultimate seasonal cocktail. This recipe needs a day of infusion before it's ready, and makes enough to serve eight guests.

13. Classic Margaritas

Forget the pre-made margarita mixes and craft your own batch of classic cocktails from scratch. This simple recipe requires just five ingredients and pairs perfectly with chips, salsa, salted rims, and fun-loving guests—ideally all three.

14. Plaza Champagne Punch

For a crowd-pleasing large-scale drink, consider this fizzy, sweet concoction. This lively drink gets its punch from tropical tea and fresh lemon juice, while rosé Champagne adds a sparkling touch. Pour it into a sizable punch bowl and, if you'd like, garnish with sliced strawberries and lemon wheels.