Your daughter’s college graduation. Perfect weather. Your dog’s 11th birthday. No matter your excuse for throwing a party—these 5 pitcher cocktail recipes can turn any day into a day worth celebrating outside with friends.
When it comes to cocktails—the difference between “Yum” and “Dang-where’d-you-get-this-recipe?”—is the quality of the ingredients. Stop by your local Spec’s, and you’ll find that the selection will give you yet another reason to celebrate!
Peach & Thyme Sparkling Sangria
Serves 8-10
Ingredients
- 1 bottle Althea Chloe Prosecco, or Sparkling Wine
- 1 bottle Batasiolo Moscato
- 5 peaches
- 6 sprigs of Thyme
Directions
- Remove the peach’s pit and cut the flesh into wedges.
- Add the peaches, thyme, and sparkling wine to a large pitcher. Stir together then let sit for at least 4 hours (or overnight so that the flavors can infuse).
- Just before serving, pour in the sparkling wine and stir. Pour over ice and garnish with fresh thyme and a peach wedge.
Blackberry Rosé
Serves 12
Ingredients
- 1 bottle dry rosé wine, chilled
- 9 oz vodka
- 1 pint fresh blackberries, plus 12 berries for garnish
- 5 oz Simple Syrup
- 6 oz lime juice
- Lime wheels for garnish
Directions
- Place the pint of blackberries and simple syrup in a large pitcher and muddle. Add the wine, vodka, and lime juice and stir.
- Strain the mixture into the bowl, discarding the solids.
- Place ice in the punch and serve in wineglasses filled with ice. Garnish each drink with a blackberry and a lime wheel.
White Cucumber Sangria
Serves 8
Ingredients
- 1 bottle white wine
- 1 liter bottle carbonated water
- 1 small honeydew melon
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 1 lime, sliced
- ¼ cup lime juice
- ¼ cup honey
- 12 fresh mint leaves
Directions
- Cut the melon in half; remove and discard seeds and rind. Cut melon into thin slices.
- In a large pitcher, combine melon, cucumber, lime slices, and the 12 mint leaves.
- In a small bowl stir together lime juice and honey until combined; pour over melon mixture. Add wine, stirring gently.
- Cover and chill for at least 2 hours.
- To serve, stir in carbonated water. Ladle into glasses and serve!
Coconut Cream Tropical Punch
Serves 10
Ingredients
- 2 large carambola, thinly sliced
- 6 cups grapefruit soda
- 1 1/3 cups spiced rum
- 1 cup coconut sorbet
- Blueberries
Directions
- Pack carambola slices in a large pitcher; set aside. In a 1-gallon container combine the soda, rum, and sorbet. Stir until the sorbet is almost completely melted.
- Pour enough punch over the star fruit to fill the pitcher. Reserve any remaining punch to replenish the pitcher while serving.
- Cover and chill for 30 minutes. Top with blueberries.
Strawberry-Ginger Punch
Serves 6
Ingredients
- 1½ cups brandy
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 12 oz strawberries, halved
- 1 3-in piece ginger, peeled, thinly sliced, divided
- ½ cup basil leaves, divided
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- 2 12oz cans club soda
Directions
- Combine sugar, ½ cup strawberries, half of ginger, and 1/3 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until berries soften, about 3 minutes. Let cool.
- Strain and set syrup aside. Muddle 2 cups strawberries, ¼ cup basil, and remaining ginger in a large jar or bowl.
- Add brandy, lime juice, and reserved syrup and stir to combine. Chill at least 30 min and up to 2 hours to let flavors meld.
- Strain mixture into a large punch bowl, pressing on solids to release as much liquid as possible.
- Add club soda and remaining ½ cup straw-berries and ¼ cup basil. Serve over ice.
DO AHEAD: Syrup can be made up to 1 week ahead. Cover and chill.
