Looking for stress-free batched cocktails for your next gathering?
Whether you’re hosting a casual group hangout or an elegant holiday party, we’ve got you covered.
One of the best parts of hosting any party is sharing your favorite cocktails with guests. One of the worst parts? Mixing all those cocktails!
Keeping guests lubricated in style is an absolute must for positive party energy flow, but getting called away every thirty seconds to break out the cocktail shaker will leave you wishing you’d hired a bartender.
At Locke + Co Distilling, we’re big fans of making sharing whiskey easy, so we wanted to let you in on our favorite party hack: whipping up a punch bowl full of batched cocktails.
Here’s the inside scoop on the latest trend in entertaining and why your next party is better off batched.
Why your next party or holiday gathering needs batched drinks
While they’ve been popping up in trendy bars everywhere lately (ever had a negroni on tap?), the truth is batched cocktails are nothing new in the world of entertaining. In fact, group cocktails are one of the most classic ways to serve up the good stuff.
Think of your grandmother’s crystal punch bowl at family gatherings or sharing a pitcher of margs with your friends on Taco Tuesday. Batch cocktails are an excellent way to add ease to entertaining so you can kick back, relax, and enjoy a stress-free evening.
Plus, they taste great! Batching cocktails means all those tasty flavors have time to get together and mingle, producing great results with less work. It’s a pretty great two for one deal.
Can you pre-batch cocktails?
Absolutely! In fact, that’s one of the best things about big batch cocktails: they’ll let you do entertaining on easy mode.
Absolutely! In fact, that’s one of the best things about big batch cocktails: they’ll let you do entertaining on easy mode.
If you’re batching cocktails in advance to serve a crowd, step one is mixing up your shelf-stable ingredients in a large container in your fridge. Feel free to chill any mixers, like juice or club soda, and if you have large batch garnishes to prep, you can do those in advance as well.
The day of your party, finish off your large batch cocktails with those sodas, juices, and garnishes. Then kick back and enjoy your evening!
How long do batched cocktails last?
How long your batched cocktails last depends on what’s in them, so make your plans accordingly.
Cocktails with citrus mixers are good for 2-3 days. Cocktails with sugar, simple syrups, bitters, or tea infusions last about a week. If you use egg to create froth and body in your batched cocktails, they’ll only be good overnight.
Do batched cocktails need to be refrigerated?
For cold-batched cocktails, the answer is yes! Because home-brewed batch cocktails are made with fresh ingredients like citrus and fruit juices rather than their synthetic equivalent, they need to be refrigerated for safety and flavor when you mix them in advance.
Like any other cocktail, once you’re ready to serve, your chilled batch cocktails can be left out on a table or stored over ice if you prefer them extra cold.
For hot batched cocktails like our Spiked Hot Apple Cider or Hot Toddy, you’ll want to keep them warm in a slow cooker, crock pot, or thermal carafe so guests can serve themselves throughout the evening. Just remember to add the whiskey right before serving for the best flavor!
Should I dilute?
The question of whether or not to dilute batched cocktails is largely a matter of personal choice, but we’re on the side of not diluting. We’d never dilute a mixed cocktail, so why should batched cocktails be any different?
Diluting is a good option if you’re batching for a party where there will be less seasoned drinkers in attendance who might not know their limits. Otherwise, we say leave the diluting to the melting ice in the punch bowl and your guests’ glasses.
How to batch cocktails for parties
The most important thing when batching cocktails for your party is to prepare ahead of time. After all, batching is all about keeping the day of your event stress-free. Mixing your ingredients beforehand lets you kick back on the day of the party and maybe do a little taste testing!
The second most important tip is to make sure all your ingredients are properly mixed. Blend them together in a container large enough for generous stirring before you transfer to a smaller closed container for storage.
Tools for Batching Cocktails
You really don’t need any special tools for mixing batched cocktails, but there are a few things that are helpful to have on hand:
For Cold Batched Cocktails:
- A large covered jar or pitcher for storage
- A serving container like a pitcher or punch bowl
- A funnel for decanting your cocktails
- A liquid measuring cup for measuring
- A long-handled spoon for mixing
- A jigger for measuring smaller amounts of ingredients
For Hot Batched Cocktails:
- A slow cooker or crock pot to keep drinks warm throughout the evening
- A large pot for warming ingredients on the stovetop
- A thermal carafe as an alternative for keeping drinks hot
- A ladle for serving
- Heat-safe mugs or cups for guests
Best big batch cocktails
Now that you’ve got the 411 on mixing cocktails for a crowd, we thought we’d share our best
batch cocktail recipes! Here are the most popular recipes for whipping up easy, elegant batch cocktails to impress your guests:
CHILLED BATCH COCKTAILS
Perfect for year-round gatherings, or any time you want refreshing drinks that guests can serve themselves. These chilled classics are crowd-pleasers that get even better when prepared in advance.
Manhattan
A timeless classic that’s always a hit with cocktail enthusiasts. Batching this sophisticated sipper means you can serve up elegance without breaking a sweat.
Ingredients
- 1 bottle (750 ml) of Locke & Co Aspen Aged Rye
- 187 ml of dry vermouth
- 187 ml of sweet vermouth
- Orange bitters
- Cherry or orange twist
Preparation
- Combine Locke + Co Aspen Aged Rye, dry & sweet vermouth in a beverage dispenser or carafe
- Pour cocktail into glass filled with 1 large ice cube or serve up
- Add 2 dashes of orange bitters
- Garnish with a cherry or orange twist
Makes 13 Servings (at 3oz pours)
Source
Locke + Co Distilling
Celebration Rye
This bubbly, fruity creation is one of our signature recipes and it never disappoints. The elderflower and apple juice make it dangerously drinkable, so you might want to make a double batch!
Ingredients
- 1 bottle (750 ml or a little more than 3 cups) of Locke + Co Aspen Aged Rye
- 1.5 cups (355 ml) of St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
- 1/2 cup (118 ml) of simple syrup
- 1.5 cups (355 ml) of lime juice
- 2 cups (473 ml) of apple juice
- Champagne
- slice of apple (if you have it)
Preparation
- Combine Locke + Co Aspen Aged Rye, St. Germain, simple syrup, lime juice & apple juice in a beverage dispenser or carafe
- Pour the cocktail into highball glasses filled with ice cubes
- Top each individual glass with 3/4oz of Champagne
- Stir for 10 seconds
- Garnish with a slice of apple (if you have it)
Makes 30 Servings (at 2oz pours)
Source
A Locke + Co Distilling Original
Old Fashioned
The king of whiskey cocktails, now ready to serve a crowd. This batched version lets you focus on your guests instead of muddling sugar cubes all night long.
Ingredients
- 2 bottles (750 ml) of Locke + Co Aspen Aged Rye
- 1 bottle of Strong Water Old Fashioned Cocktail Syrup (8oz)
- Bitters (we like black walnut, cherry, or any type of citrus)
- Cherry or a lemon twist
Preparation
- Combine Locke + Co Aspen Aged Rye & Strong Water Old Fashioned Cocktail Syrup in a beverage dispenser or carafe
- Pour the cocktail into whiskey glasses filled with 1 large ice cube
- Add 2 dashes of bitters
- Garnish with a cherry or a lemon twist
Makes 30 Servings (at 2oz pours)
Source
A Locke + Co Distilling Original
Whiskey-Free Batch Cocktails
If you’re looking to create an alternative large format cocktail for non-whiskey drinkers, we’ve got you covered. Here are our favorite whiskey-free recipes for the cretins in your life who don’t appreciate the taste of a well aged rye (just kidding, non-whiskey drinkers; we love you too!):
Margarita
- 1 bottle tequila
- 400 ml Cointreau
- 300 ml freshly squeezed lime juice
- 100 ml agave syrup
- Garnish with lime wheels
Grayhound
- 1 bottle vodka
- 375 ml grapefruit juice
- Garnish with grapefruit wheels
Paloma
- 1 bottle mezcal or tequila
- 500 ml grapefruit juice
- 250 ml lime juice
- 100 ml simple syrup
- 250 ml club soda
- Garnish with grapefruit wheels
HOT BATCH COCKTAILS
Perfect for year-round gatherings, or any time you want refreshing drinks that guests can serve themselves. These chilled classics are crowd-pleasers that get even better when prepared in advance.
Spiked Hot Apple Cider
This crowd-pleaser practically serves itself and fills your home with the most incredible spiced apple aroma. Perfect for keeping guests warm while they mingle!
Ingredients
- • 1 bottle (750 ml) Locke + Co Distilling DU Aspen Signature Bourbon
• ½ gallon apple cider
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 4 whole cloves
• 2 orange slices
Preparation
- Warm everything except the bourbon over low heat (do not boil)
- Add bourbon just before serving
- Ladle into mugs with cinnamon sticks
Makes 10 Servings
Source
Locke + Co Distilling
Hot Toddy
The ultimate cold-weather soother, now scaled up for your whole crew. Keep it warm in a crock pot and let guests help themselves all evening long.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of Locke + Co Aspen Aged Rye
- • 4 cups hot water
• ½ cup honey syrup (1:1 honey to water)
• ¼ cup lemon juice
Preparation
- • Keep warm in a thermos or crock pot
- Garnish with lemon wheels and cloves (optional) when serving
Makes 8 Servings
Bourbon Hot Chocolate
Rich, indulgent, and dangerously drinkable. This bourbon-spiked hot chocolate is perfect for dessert service or those cozy winter nights when only something truly decadent will do. Your guests will be coming back for seconds (and thirds).
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups Locke + Co Big Catch Bourbon
- 4 cups whole milk
- 2 cups half-and-half (or substitute oat milk for dairy-free)
- ¾ cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Preparation
- In a large pot over low-medium heat, combine milk, half-and-half, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt
- Whisk until smooth and steaming (do not boil)
- Add chocolate chips, stirring until melted and fully incorporated
- Remove from heat and stir in Big Catch Bourbon and vanilla
- Transfer to a slow cooker or insulated beverage dispenser set to warm
- Stir occasionally to prevent a skin from forming
- Ladle into mugs and top with whipped cream, toasted marshmallows, or grated chocolate
Makes 8 Servings
Source
A Locke + Co Distilling Original