23 Pitcher Cocktail Recipes to Impress the Guests at Your Next Party

Sangria

No collection of cocktails for a crowd would be complete without a ruby-red sangria recipe. With brandy, red wine, and two hits of lemon for extra refreshment, this is a party pitcher drink you'll turn to again and again.

Apposta Cocktail

Try this Italian drink recipe, and you'll stop your search for big-batch cocktails that include gin. This baby has everything going for it: gin, Aperol (a refreshing bitter-orange aperitif), vermouth, and citrus, plus an unmistakable Italian essence. And it's perfect for a crowd: This recipe puts the "big" in big-batch cocktails—it serves 12 (although you can easily scale it back for a smaller gathering).

Grilled Peach Frappé

When the temperature rises and you're looking for refreshing big-batch summer cocktails, pick up some peaches. Grill the fruit, then toss those juicy lovelies in a blender with fresh lemon, sugar, and a swig of Southern Comfort for one of our coolest (and most creative) pitcher cocktails yet.

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Orange-Ginger Pomegranate Punch

Here's a fun make-at-home cocktail featuring fall and winter flavors: This seasonal punch is built around tart pomegranate juice, along with orange liqueur, Prosecco, and fresh ginger. Give your party pitcher drink an herbal finish with some sprigs of rosemary.

Big-Batch Margaritas

Some guests love inventive craft cocktails, others prefer sticking with the tried-and-true. For the latter crowd, choose a classic pitcher cocktail recipe such as this traditional margarita. If you're expecting a more adventurous group, tweak this recipe with fresh watermelon juice.

White Cucumber Sangria

How do you make one of the world's most refreshing pitcher cocktails? Start with some of the most refreshing ingredients. Honeydew melon, cucumber, mint, lime, and Sauvignon Blanc (the crispest of crisp wines) team up for one of our most thirst-quenching summer party cocktails ever.

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Rosé-Cucumber Cooler

Slightly citrusy and a wee bit floral, elderflower liqueur has been called bartender's bacon because, like bacon, it greatly enhances anything it touches. It's no surprise that the liqueur works beautifully in pitcher drinks for a party. Add it to rosé wine with a little lemon juice for a guaranteed head-turner.

Sparkling Golden Sangria

Unite the warmth of the sun with the coolness of a breeze. This beachy cocktail includes orange liqueur and mint—among other enticing ingredients—for the perfect summer sipper. This sparkling cocktail can be made up to 24 hours ahead so the flavors have time to meld.

Apple-Cinnamon Winter Sangria

Fruity party pitcher drinks aren't just for summer. They're handy for winter gatherings, too, especially when the party's rife with salty snacks, warming fires, and happy holiday revelers. In this case, dried fruits and cinnamon add a seasonal angle to sangria.

Spicy Beer Mary

Beer cocktails are usually lower in alcohol than spirits, which makes them terrific for late-morning gatherings. This brunch cocktail pitcher combines your favorite savory bloody mary flavors—tomato, Worcestershire, and hot sauce, to name a few— with lager or pilsner beer rather than vodka.

Tea-Gin Splash

Spike your iced tea to make this satisfying big-batch gin cocktail. Lemon juice, tea, club soda, and gin combine to create a summery concoction that mingles well with fresh fruit and cucumber slices. For a wilder-tasting sip, use a botanical gin rather than a dry gin. Tasty options come from Scotland, Ireland, and California.

Pepino Punch

The dilemma: You're hosting Taco Tuesday, but you want a big-batch cocktail that goes beyond the usual margarita. The solution: the Pepino. This ultra-contemporary cocktail has the sweet-tart angle common to batch summer cocktails but with an ultra-fresh touch of cucumber and the spice of jalapeño.

Strawberry Sangria

Pitcher drinks for a party are even better when they make the most of your trip to the farmers market. When strawberries are at their ripest, bring home a few pints and plunk them into this colorful beverage. Because it doesn't include a brandy (the high-proof ingredient in many sangria pitcher drinks), this recipe is a good choice for day-drinking.

The Porcupine

Thanks to two hits of pineapple—one in the juice and the other as a garnish—drinking this will make you'll feel like you've landed in Hawaii. The fizz comes from a couple of our favorite bubble-makers for pitcher cocktails: prosecco and pale ale beer.

Bourbon Strawberry Smash

Pairing bourbon with fruit is not a novel idea (think of the cherries and oranges in a classic old-fashioned). But with this cocktail pitcher recipe, we've refreshed the combo with strawberries and lemon. Muddled mint adds a cooling touch.

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Watermelon-Mint Coolers

Remember to choose at least one nonalcoholic choice for the abstainers at your cocktail party. Watermelon, mint leaves, lime, and ginger ale make this mojito-inspired choice much more interesting than the usual club soda with lime. (For those who do drink, see the alcoholic version for a great watermelon pitcher cocktail!)

Vodka Lemonade

On the steamiest of summer nights, this vodka pitcher drink is certain to hit the spot. Go the extra mile by squeezing your own fresh lemon juice—your efforts will be rewarded with bright and tangy results. Garnish with fresh lemon slices and cute paper straws.

Watermelon Margarita

Orange liqueur plays up the fruity vibes of this frozen big-batch margarita, which is packed with five cups of fresh seedless watermelon. For extra credit, chill pieces of watermelon a few hours before you serve the drink to use as ice cubes. That way, none of the flavors of this luscious frozen delight will be diluted.

Pineapple-Ginger Punch

If you've never had fresh ginger in a beverage, prepare to fall in love. We adore the way it adds tingle to cocktails. This punch is actually a mocktail, so it will be much appreciated by your guests who don't drink alcohol (although you can add rum or pineapple-flavored vodka if you prefer).

Basil Lemon Drop

If you like lemon drop martinis, this is the party drink for you. Homemade basil simple syrup layers on flavor in this pitcher drink. The herb's minty, clove-like flavor pairs with the sweet vodka lemonade for a complex cocktail.

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Peach Bellinis

When you're searching for a celebratory summer drink, keep these Champagne cocktails in mind. Sweet peaches and uplifting sparkle bring cheer—as does the fact that this drink requires only five ingredients, one of which is ice.

Coconut Cream Island Punch

We love the classic rum cocktails like mojitos and mai tais. But we also adore the ones that introduce inventive flavor combinations, such as this recipe. Star fruit is the unexpected pleasure here (it's a beautiful garnish), and mixing the rum with grapefruit soda and coconut sorbet brings a refreshing balance of sweet and tart. Cheers!

The Aloha Shandy

Shandy is typically a half-and-half mixture of lemonade and beer. Although those flavors are included in this version, we also punched it up with tropical passion fruit juice (or mango juice—your choice!) Serve this shandy with a lemon slice garnish at your next summer party.