5 Pitcher Cocktails for a Sunny Day

Your daughter’s college graduation. Perfect weather. Your dog’s 11^th 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

1. Remove the peach’s pit and cut the flesh into wedges.
2. 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).
3. 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

1. Place the pint of blackberries and simple syrup in a large pitcher and muddle. Add the wine, vodka, and lime juice and stir.
2. Strain the mixture into the bowl, discarding the solids.
3. 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

1. Cut the melon in half; remove and discard seeds and rind. Cut melon into thin slices.
2. In a large pitcher, combine melon, cucumber, lime slices, and the 12 mint leaves.
3. In a small bowl stir together lime juice and honey until combined; pour over melon mixture. Add wine, stirring gently.
4. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours.
5. 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

1. 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.
2. Pour enough punch over the star fruit to fill the pitcher. Reserve any remaining punch to replenish the pitcher while serving.
3. 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

1. 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.
2. Strain and set syrup aside. Muddle 2 cups strawberries, ¼ cup basil, and remaining ginger in a large jar or bowl.
3. 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.
4. Strain mixture into a large punch bowl, pressing on solids to release as much liquid as possible.
5. 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.