There are two essential tailgate items for any party: Food and drinks. What was once an easy grab of 24 packs of beer has evolved into providing a variety of drinks. If you love to bartend, this is great because it’s the perfect time to show off your skills. However, if you’d rather spend your time watching the game, then these make-ahead pitcher cocktail recipes are perfect for you.
Making large batches of drinks keeps you enjoying time with your friends without the hassle of making drinks one by one. Keep reading for a dozen batch drink recipes that you can make ahead of your next event.
How To Batch Your Favorite Cocktail
Before we get started, we just wanted to go over how you can turn any of your favorite cocktails into a pitcher cocktail. This guide from Cup of Zest goes into detail on how you can scale any cocktail with a few essential tailgate items. Just make sure that carbonation and fresh herbs are added last.
12 Pitcher Cocktail Recipes to Impress Your Tailgating Party Guests
1. Breakfast Sangria
Kicking off your homegate with an early party? Consider throwing a brunch theme homegate with this citrus-driven sangria. This boozy batch is easy to make the night before with prosecco and grapefruit sparkling water for a fruity, refreshing drink. The best part is that the longer it sits the better it tastes!
2. Hawaiian Mai Tai
Mai Tais are probably one of the more popular pitcher drinks you can serve at a party. This tropical twist on a classic gives a refreshing blend of pineapple and lime juice and orange liqueur that is ideal for summer tailgating. Be careful though, they taste more harmless than they are!
3. Mojito Pitcher
Let’s be honest, no one is going to expect you to muddle mint and make a classic mojito at a party. It’s too much work. However, including this essential tailgate item as a batch cocktail will be the talk of the party. Using the mint to create your simple syrup gives the perfect mint balance without the hassle of muddling each cocktail individually. It also won’t overwhelm the flavor.
4. Big Batch Cajun Lemonade
A common, and rather boring party “essential” is lemonade. This recipe will ensure your lemonade is a hit by adding some Southern Cajun spices! Surprise your guests with a mix of vodka and rum with lemonade and a splash of spice redefines homegate lemonade. These are perfect to serve with shrimp, gumbo, and cheesy grits.
5. Red White And Blue Big Batch Cocktail
Everyone loves a pina colada. This play on the classic pina colada adds some patriotic flare with festive colors from grenadine and citrusy blue curaçao. Just pour over ice in layers to create the red, white, and blue effect, then and enjoy. It’s a perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day. Plus, there are even suggestions for a non-alcoholic mocktail version for those guests (or kiddos) who want it. Just double the recipe to make it a big batch!
6. Cucumber Tequila Cocktail
Does your homegating team love refreshing, cool cucumber water? Surprise them at your next homegate with this delicious batched cocktail. The blend of tequila, cucumber, basil, and lime is a perfect summer cocktail for any event. Add a few cubes of ice and serve. Everyone will feel cool and relaxed.
7. Strawberry Wine Punch
Have you excluded strawberry daiquiris from your homegates? You should seriously rethink this decision because This boozy strawberry wine punch recipe has the daiquiri taste without the hassle of having to blend the ingredients! With white wine, strawberry daiquiri mix, Fresca, and lemon juice, it’s bright, sweet, and perfect for any spring or summer get-together. We recommend making a double batch this delicious spritzer and making some strawberry-sliced ice cubes to dazzle your guests.
8. Vodka Mint Lemonade
Don’t let the basic title trick you, this easy recipe has a couple of surprises to keep your guests drinking. The base is limes or lemons, fresh mint leaves, honey or sugar, water, ice, and vodka, which you can add to the whole batch or let your guests add as they pour. This basic drink is perfect for any guest looking to watch their waistline but not be excluded from any of the fun!
9. Bourbon Rosemary Punch
Bourbon is commonly overlooked as a cocktail ingredient but this boozy batch will become an essential for your whiskey-loving buddies. Enjoy a fresh drink with seasonal flavors and bright, beautiful garnishes, plus a whole lot of bubbles—thanks to the sparkling wine and seltzer—to make the whole thing feel more festive. The smokey herbal combination of bourbon and rosemary-infused aperol is perfect to serve as a complement to steak or prime rib. Garnish with rosemary sprigs for the perfect finishing touch.
10. Pineapple Party Punch
Get ready to hear cheers of “Aloha!” with this tropical punch. White rum and prosecco meet pineapple in this bold batch guaranteed to be a hit at your next homegate. You can even elevate this summery drink with a few frozen pineapple cubes to replace the ice. Just make sure to keep extra ingredients on hand as these essential tailgate items go fast!
11. Sparkling Spiked Peach Lemonade
What is your favorite part of summer? If you said peach season, you are not alone. Fresh peaches are divine all on their own, but when mixed with club soda, lemon juice, sugar, and vodka, they become superstars in this refreshing pitcher cocktail recipe. They are perfect for cooling down after being out in the heat all day. This batch of lemons and peaches is the refreshing item to spotlight any homegate event.
12. Coconut Lemon Sour Party Punch
Of all the lemonades on the list, this vodka-spiked drink adds tropical notes with coconut water perfect for those hot summer homegate parties. The coconut water adds a refreshing lightness to keep the party going. It’s also a great option for people looking to avoid drinking their daily calories.
The best part about all of these batch cocktails is they can be made a day or two before your party. That is one essential tailgate item you can stop worrying about. Many of them even get better the longer they steep. You can make a couple of different ones so that your guests can have a choice. That being said, it’s still never a bad idea to grab that 24-pack of beer for those who like a more classic beverage at their homegates.
Need ideas for breakfast or brunch cocktails? Check out these 16+ Breakfast Cocktail Ideas Perfect For Kicking Off Your Tailgate Party including crowd-pleasing Pomegranate Mimosa, Habanero-Hibiscus Sour, and Coffee Margarita recipes, plus how to build a Bloody Mary bar!
