5 Big-Batch Cocktails for Your Memorial Day Party (Or All Summer Long)
Summer doesn’t officially start until June 20, but Memorial Day weekend is when it really kicks off: the weather turns, the coats come off, and the first backyard barbecue of the year goes on the calendar. Drinks are half the point of a cookout, and they’re the easiest part to get ahead on.
The trick to hosting is making your cocktails ahead, the morning of or even the night before, so you’re not stuck mixing one at a time while everyone else is outside with the ribs. Here are five of our favorite big-batch recipes that take the work out of a party.
5 big-batch cocktails for a crowd
‘Merica Sangria
Memorial Day is really about honoring the people who served, so an American spin feels right, even if sangria started in Spain. White wine, vodka, and berries make a cooling pour for a hot afternoon, and star-shaped pineapple chunks add a festive touch. See recipe
Red, White, and Blueberry
Staying on the patriotic theme: this one (pictured) takes its cue from a mint julep, built on bourbon, simple syrup, and fresh mint with a splash of club soda. Lemon, lime, and orange juice plus blueberries and raspberries make it especially good on a scorcher. See recipe
The Perfect Margarita
Few drinks say summer like a margarita, and they batch beautifully as long as you put in the time to squeeze the juice. Skip the sour mix. Ours is silver tequila, Cointreau, and fresh lime, balanced instead of cloying. Multiply by about 20, mix in a big pitcher, and pour over ice whenever you’re ready. See recipe
Double Cider-Bourbon Punch
This one’s perfect once the sun starts dropping. Regular and hard apple ciders meet bourbon, ginger beer, lemon, and cinnamon, refreshing in the heat and warming as the night cools. One catch: all that carbonation means you mix it right before serving, but it’s still quick and easy for a big group. See recipe
Summer Hoedown
Early summer is also watermelon season, so put it to work. The Summer Hoedown is fresh watermelon juice, maraschino liqueur, and crisp wheat beer. Mix the juice and liqueur up to three days ahead, pour over ice, top each glass with a couple ounces of beer, and you’ve got summer in a glass. See recipe
Frequently asked questions
How far ahead can you make batch cocktails?
Spirit-forward and juice-based mixes are happy a day or two ahead in the fridge. Anything carbonated (soda, ginger beer, sparkling wine, beer) should go in right before serving so it doesn’t go flat.
How much cocktail should you plan per guest?
A good rule of thumb is two to three drinks per person for the first couple of hours, then about one an hour after that. A standard 750ml bottle of spirit yields roughly 16 cocktails.
How do you scale a cocktail recipe for a crowd?
Multiply every ingredient by the number of servings you want and mix in a pitcher or drink dispenser. Hold the ice and any fizzy ingredients until serving so nothing waters down or goes flat.
What big-batch cocktails don’t go flat?
Sangria, margaritas, and most juice-and-spirit punches hold up well. Save the fizzy ones, like the cider-bourbon punch, for mixing at the last minute.
Throwing a Memorial Day or Fourth of July party and need more ideas for a crowd? Cocktail Builder has plenty of punches, pitcher drinks, and make-ahead recipes so you can spend less time behind the bar and more time at your own party.
Last modified on June 23, 2026
