When it comes to hosting a get-together, there’s nothing worse than spending half the evening mixing drinks instead of, you know, enjoying your own party. Enter the savior of social events everywhere: cocktails you can make by the pitcher. These crowd-pleasers are not only delicious, but they also free you up to chat, snack, and dance like no one’s watching—because no one’s asking for another round of individually crafted daiquiris.

Below, we’ve rounded up the best cocktails you can whip up in large batches, perfect for making your next party effortless and fun. Oh, and yes—recipes included. Cheers!

1. Classic Red Sangria

You can’t talk about pitcher cocktails without paying homage to sangria. It’s fruity, refreshing, and infinitely customizable. Plus, it looks stunning with all that fresh fruit floating around like a summer dream.

What You’ll Need:

  • 1 bottle of red wine (a medium-bodied one like Merlot or Tempranillo works best)
  • 1/2 cup brandy
  • 1/4 cup orange liqueur (like Triple Sec or Cointreau)
  • 1-2 tablespoons sugar (optional, depending on how sweet you like it)
  • 1 orange, sliced
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • 1 lime, sliced
  • 1 cup fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries—your choice!)
  • 1 cup soda water or lemon-lime soda for some fizz (optional, but highly recommended)

How to Make It:

  1. Combine the wine, brandy, orange liqueur, and sugar in a large pitcher. Stir well.
  2. Add all the sliced fruit and berries, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is even better).
  3. Just before serving, top with soda water or lemon-lime soda for fizz.
  4. Serve over ice and enjoy the fruity goodness.

Pro Tip: Want a white sangria? Swap the red wine for a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc and use peach slices, green apples, and grapes. Sangria is basically your excuse to experiment with every fruit under the sun.

2. Perfect Pitcher Margaritas

Margaritas are always a good idea. And when you’re making them by the pitcher, you avoid the sticky mess of squeezing limes all night. This recipe strikes the ideal balance between tangy, sweet, and boozy.

What You’ll Need:

  • 2 cups (about 16 oz) tequila (silver/blanco tequila works best)
  • 1 cup (8 oz) Triple Sec or Cointreau
  • 1 cup (8 oz) freshly squeezed lime juice (about 8-10 limes)
  • 1/2 cup (4 oz) simple syrup (or adjust to taste)
  • Lime wedges and salt for rimming glasses (optional)
  • Ice, lots of it

How to Make It:

  1. Rim your glasses with salt (if desired) by running a lime wedge around the edge and dipping it in a plate of salt. Set aside.
  2. Stir together the tequila, Triple Sec, lime juice, and simple syrup in a pitcher. Test-taste (for quality control, obviously).
  3. Refrigerate until chilled or serve immediately over ice.
  4. Garnish with lime wedges and enjoy the fiesta.

Pro Tip: For a fruity twist, blend some fresh mango, watermelon, or strawberries into the mix. Hello, tropical vibes!

3. Mojito Madness

Few things beat a mojito on a warm day. The secret to a good mojito is the mint—it’s all about treating those leaves right. This pitcher version gives you the same fresh, minty goodness without the hassle of making them one by one.

What You’ll Need:

  • 1 cup fresh mint leaves, plus extra for garnish
  • 4 limes, sliced into wedges
  • 1 cup white rum
  • 1/2 cup simple syrup (or more to taste)
  • 3 cups club soda or sparkling water
  • Ice

How to Make It:

  1. Place mint leaves and lime wedges in the bottom of your pitcher. Use a muddler (or the back of a spoon) to gently crush them, releasing all that minty goodness.
  2. Add the rum and simple syrup, then stir.
  3. Toss in a load of ice, then top it all off with club soda or sparkling water. Give it a gentle stir.
  4. Pour into glasses, garnish with a sprig of mint, and sip your way to paradise.

Pro Tip: Swap the white rum for vodka to make a “vodka mojito” or add some fresh berries while muddling for a fruity punch.

4. Tropical Rum Punch

Nothing says “vacation mode” like rum punch. This tropical delight is great for summer barbecues or anytime you want to feel like you’re on a beach without actually leaving your backyard.

What You’ll Need:

  • 2 cups pineapple juice
  • 2 cups orange juice
  • 1 cup white rum
  • 1/2 cup dark rum
  • 1/4 cup grenadine
  • 1 lime, sliced
  • Orange and pineapple slices for garnish
  • Ice

How to Make It:

  1. Combine the pineapple juice, orange juice, both rums, and grenadine in a pitcher. Stir well.
  2. Add ice and lime slices to the pitcher (or individual glasses if you prefer).
  3. Garnish with orange and pineapple slices for that extra tropical flair.
  4. Serve and get ready for the compliments.

Pro Tip: For a more adult kick, float an ounce of overproof rum on top of each glass just before serving. Bonus points if you light it on fire (kidding, but if you do, be careful).

5. Sparkling Gin and Lemonade Pitcher

This one’s a bubbly combo of citrusy sweetness and botanicals from gin. It’s refreshing, light, and perfect for brunches or summer evenings. Plus, it’s ridiculously simple to throw together.

What You’ll Need:

  • 2 cups gin
  • 4 cups lemonade (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1 cup sparkling water or tonic water
  • 1 lemon, thinly sliced
  • A handful of fresh basil or mint for garnish
  • Ice

How to Make It:

  1. Combine the gin and lemonade in a pitcher. Stir to mix. (Yep, it’s that easy so far.)
  2. Add a generous amount of ice, sparkling water, and lemon slices. Stir gently to avoid losing the bubbles.
  3. Garnish each glass with some mint or basil leaves.
  4. Pour and enjoy that fizzy, lemony goodness.

Pro Tip: Want a fruity wine spritzer? Replace the gin with white wine and the sparkling water with Prosecco.

A Few Extra Tips for Pitcher Cocktail Success

  1. Chill Everything: It’s always a good idea to keep your ingredients cold before mixing. There’s nothing sadder than a warm cocktail.
  2. Prep Ahead: Many pitcher cocktails taste better after a couple of hours in the fridge. The flavors get a chance to meld together (we’re looking at you, sangria).
  3. Serve Smart: Make sure each glass is filled with plenty of ice so the drinks stay chilled without overly diluting them.
  4. Be Creative: Don’t stick to the recipe if you’ve got fun ideas. Half the joy of pitcher cocktails is experimenting with flavors.

There you have it! These pitcher-perfect cocktails are easy, delicious, and guaranteed to keep the good times flowing. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, a game night, or just treating yourself, there’s no better way to say, “Cheers!” than with a big ol’ pitcher of happiness. Happy mixing!