Our 37 Best Cocktails For A Crowd

Your party guests will thank you

By SAVEUR Editors
Updated: November 13, 2017

When you're hosting a party, the last thing you want to do is spend time making individual cocktails for your guests. The more practical move is to whip-up a large batch of a boozy punch or sangria beforehand, so you can spend less time playing bartender and more time with your friends. In the chillier months, warm up around the fire with eggnog recipes fit to serve a group. Our best cocktails for a crowd have something for every season, whether it's a summer favorite like a frozen margarita, or a fall classic like chilled cider punch. Next time you're throwing a party, consult these recipes to be the ultimate host without having to stand behind the bar all night.

Large-Batch Negroni Sbagliato

Large-Batch Negroni Sbagliato
Jeffrey Morgenthaler, bar manager of Clyde Common in Portland, is known for barrel-aging cocktails and other fancy bartender tricks. But when he throws a party, he makes this lightly bitter, pop-and-pour punch that's as easy as 1-2-3. Get the recipe for Large-Batch Negroni Sbagliato »Dina Avila

Horse & Carriage

Horse & Carriage
New York City bar The Daily serves this lightly sweet, effervescent gin-based punch made with chamomile tea and sparkling wine. Created by mixologist Naren Young, it was inspired by classic holiday punches but is easily adapted to any season—try it in fall garnished with apples, pears, and cinnamon sticks; in winter with citrus slices and pomegranate; and in spring with edible flowers. Get the recipe for Horse & Carriage »Farideh Sadeghin

Punch à la Taylor

Punch a la Taylor
Sweet citrus, whiskey, and a pleasantly bitter gentian-flavored liqueur combine in an elegant punch concocted by New York City cocktail bar The Dead Rabbit. Get the recipe for Punch à la Taylor »Khushbu Shah

Red Sangria

Memorial Day Red Sangria
For his riff on the classic Spanish wine-based drink, Jon Santer of Prizefighter in Emeryville, California, layers on more fruity flavors with French apéritif Lillet Rouge and the orange cognac-based liqueur Grand Marnier. Get the recipe for Red Sangria »Matt Taylor-Gross

White Sangria

Memorial Day White Sangria
Choose a high-acid, no-oak sauvignon blanc or similar white for this sophisticated version of the party wine drink from bartender Jon Santer of Prizefighter in Emeryville, California. Get the recipe for White Sangria »Matt Taylor-Gross

Watermelon Cooler

Watermelon Cooler
Sweet watermelon balances the heat of Scotch bonnet chiles in this summery tequila-based drink. Get the recipe for Watermelon Cooler »Todd Coleman

Pawleys Rum Punch

Pawlets Rum Punch
Contributor Marshall Bright's father makes this boozy fruit punch for the family every year during their annual beach vacation in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. A sprinkle of fresh nutmeg on top compliments the molasses-like flavor of the rum. Use freshly squeezed orange juice—it adds a bright flavor the bottled stuff can't match. Get the recipe for Pawleys Rum Punch »Farideh Sadeghin

Green Monster

Green Monster
For a vibrant drink that's excellent with spicy foods, try floral, tropical passion fruit juice paired with white rum and cool mint. Get the recipe for Green Monster »Todd Coleman

Frozen Limeade Margarita

Frozen Limeade Margarita
Canned frozen limeade intensifies the citrus flavor of this slushy Mexican-inspired libation. Get the recipe for Frozen Limeade Margarita »Todd Coleman

Colombiana Pitcher Cocktail (Refajo)

Colombiana Pitcher Cocktail (Refajo)
Crisp and bittersweet, this Colombian lager-based cocktail is the perfect accompaniment to an afternoon around the grill. Get the recipe for Colombiana Pitcher Cocktail (Refajo) »Helen Rosner

Strawberry Pimm's Cup

Strawberry Pimm's Cup
A twist on the British classic, this summer cooler takes on spicy, herbal notes from Kaffir lime leaves, while strawberries lend sweet balance to the pleasingly bitter liqueur. Get the recipe for Strawberry Pimm's Cup »Todd Coleman

Vodka Lavender Thyme Lemonade

Vodka Lavender Thyme Lemonade
This lemonade gains herbaceous depth from lavender and thyme, while vodka delivers a good, clean punch. Get the recipe for Vodka Lavender Thyme Lemonade »Todd Coleman

Grilled Sangria

Grilling, Grilled Sangria
Whether it's juicing grilled limes into margaritas, charring tomatoes for bloody marys, or making this reimagined sangria with caramelized fruits, grilling your drinks will add smoky depth to every sip. Get the recipe for Grilled Sangria »Matt Taylor-Gross

White Wine Punch

White Wine Punch
This festive, fuss-free punch recipe can be made year-round using seasonal fruit. Get the recipe for White Wine Punch »Anna Stockwell

Poinsettia Punch

Poinsettia Punch
This brightly spiced punch recipe includes gin, lemon juice, cinnamon syrup, and allspice dram. Get the recipe for Poinsettia Punch »SAVEUR

Hugh Acheson's Eggnog

Hugh Acheson's Eggnog
In this Southern spin on the boozy Yuletide favorite, a mix of bourbon and rum takes the place of brandy. It can be made up to 4 hours before serving. Get the recipe for Hugh Acheson's Eggnog »Ariana Lindquist

Tom and Jerry

Tom and Jerry
Experiencing the Tom and Jerry is like sipping a hot toddy through a brandy-laced, nutmeg-dusted froth. Serve this thick, batter-like concoction at your next holiday gathering. Get the recipe for Tom and Jerry »Todd Coleman

Regent's Punch

Regent's Punch
This tea-infused champagne punch makes an elegant centerpiece for any festive occasion. Get the recipe for Regent's Punch »Vanessa Rees

Michelada Bloody Mary

Michelada Bloody Mary
Chef Rick Bayless suggested this recipe for a bloody mary made with beer, citrus, and tequila. Get the recipe for Michelada Bloody Mary »Michael Kraus

Original Bloody Mary

Original Bloody Mary
A combination of vodka, tomato juice, fresh lemon juice, Worcestershire, and fresh ground spices is simple, classic, and always delicious. Get the recipe for Original Bloody Mary »Michael Kraus

Jamaican Punch

Jamaican Punch
Throughout the Caribbean, rum punches flecked with nutmeg have been served steadily since the colonial era. Get the recipe for Jamaican Punch »Anna Stockwell

The Pledge

The Pledge
In this easy-drinking beer cocktail, the concentrated raisin flavor of the sherry, the honeyed quality of the Benedictine liqueur, and the oatmeal stout add up to something like "breakfast in a glass." A sprinkling of sweet, spicy nutmeg seems completely appropriate in this context. Get the recipe for The Pledge »Anna Stockwell

Mezcalita de Piña

Mezcalita de Piña
Made with mezcal, grilled pineapple, jalapeño, and lime, this festive take on the classic margarita is smoky, sweet, and spicy, with an herbaceous kick from cilantro. Get the recipe for Mezcalita de Piña »Todd Coleman

Kalimotxo

Kalimotxo
This Spanish drink is a simple mixture of cola and red wine. Get the recipe for Kalimotxo »Todd Coleman

The Merchant's Wife

The Merchant's Wife
A bright mix of watermelon, gin, Aperol, lemon juice, and a splash of club soda, this drink from Stella Rosa Pizza Bar in Santa Monica is well-balanced, effervescent, and not too sweet. Get the recipe for The Merchant's Wife »Maxime Iattoni

Mango Daiquiri

Mango Daiquiri
With its deep, sweet mango flavor offset by coconut rum and bright lime juice, this slushy frozen daiquiri is perfect for any beachside getaway. Get the recipe for Mango Daiquiri »Anna Stockwell

Fish House Punch

Fish House Punch
Dark rum and cognac warm up this peach punch created in the 18th century. Get the recipe for Fish House Punch »Maxime Iattoni

Red Nose Punch

Red Nose Punch
This sweet and tangy cranberry–beer–bourbon punch, delicately spiced with cinnamon-infused simple syrup, is perfect for a festive gathering. Get the recipe for Red Nose Punch »Helen Rosner

Book Club Sangria

Book Club Sangria
This sweet-tart wine punch was invented by members of the Junior League of Houston book club in the 1970s. Get the recipe for Book Club Sangria »Michael Kraus

Stone Fruit Rosé Sangria

Stone Fruit Rosé Sangria
This version of a Spanish sangria is ripe with summer fruit; its light, crisp flavors complement seafood and poultry. Get the recipe for Stone Fruit Rosé Sangria »Todd Coleman

Chilled Cider Punch

Chilled Cider Punch
This chilled cider punch combines the fall flavors of a mulled cider with the celebratory feel of a sparkling punch. Get the recipe for Chilled Cider Punch »MacKenzie Smith

Full Windsor

Full Windsor, Erick Castro, Batch Cocktail
"Always be prepared." It's not only the motto of the Boy Scouts of America, it's also the mantra of any great host. Eric Castro of San Diego's Polite Provisions suggests to achieve that goal via pre-made libations. His riff on the classic New Orleans cocktail, the Vieux Carré, can be kept chilled, stored in cleaned 750-ml. liquor bottles, and on hand for all impromptu soirées. Get the recipe for Full Windsor »Matt Taylor-Gross

Touch of Evil Punch

Touch of Evil Punch, Agenda, Cocktail
Lemons and raspberries add tartness and a beautiful pink hue to this punch, slightly smoky thanks to the addition of mezcal. Get the recipe for Touch of Evil Punch »Marcus Nilsson

Nutmeg-Infused Eggnog

Nutmeg-Infused Eggnog
Infusing the rum with nutmeg adds nice warm undertones to the drink. You need to start the recipe the day before you plan on serving it, and you can make it with either heavy cream or half and half, depending on how decadent you're feeling. Get the recipe for Nutmeg-Infused Eggnog »Tim Mazurek

Spiced Percolator Punch

Spiced Percolator Punch
If a coffeemaker upgrade relegated your old percolator to the attic years ago, here's another use for it: cocktail hour. Thrifty housewives have long repurposed the pot to make aromatic punches. The percolator continuously cycles hot liquids, which infuses spices and concentrates juices, making for a fragrant winter drink. Get the recipe for Spiced Percolator Punch »Ingalls Photography

Crab Apple Liqueur with Cinnamon

crab apple liqueur with cinnamon
Goldschläger's far subtler (but still gold-flecked) relative, this after-dinner sipper has sweetness, a cinnamon aroma, and an apple finish. Get the recipe for Crab Apple Liqueur with Cinnamon »Christina Holmes

Ginger-Absinthe Mimosa

Ginger Absinthe Mimosa
Imparting a festive green glow to the de rigueur citrus and Champagne brunch cocktail, absinthe lends a noticeably herbal bite and serves as a natural aperitif. Get the recipe for Ginger-Absinthe Mimosa »Marcus Nilsson

Latest

BVI-Style Peas Soup
Boozy and Easy
Saag Paneer Is the Luscious Indian Comfort Food You Need
A Hearty (Caribbean!) Soup to Get You Through The Winter
Lalla Rookh Pie
Seattle Scotch Is A Thing. And It’s Good.
Mardi Gras King Cake
Saag Paneer (Spinach with Fresh Indian Cheese)
Banish Kitchen Clutter with Five Genius Fridge Organizers
ADVERTISEMENT / ADVERTISE WITH US