15 Boozy Pitcher Drinks Perfect for Backyard BBQs
Save the stress of playing bartender with these easy make-ahead big-batch drinks that make outdoor entertaining that much easier.
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Summer barbecue season is here, and with it comes summer cocktail season. Imagine: frosty glasses (or sweaty Solo cups) of margaritas, sangrias, mojitos, and daiquiris. But who has time to tend bar when they're hosting a barbecue?
Pitcher drinks to the rescue! These 15 simple, make-ahead recipes make it easy to serve up your favorite summer cocktails so you can forget about bartending and focus on hosting, grilling, chatting, and relaxing in your backyard. Just add one pitcher (and the occasional blender)!
Sangria! Sangria!
Sangria is perhaps the breeziest of pitcher drinks. Use whatever wine, fruit, and liqueur you’ve got on hand to whip up a fruity, boozy punch that’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The ratios are forgiving and entirely up to your taste, but this recipe is a foolproof way to get started.
Strawberry Slush
What better way to celebrate strawberry season? This slushie checks all our boxes for a hot summer day: It’s boozy, sweet, and perfectly chilled—just make sure you leave enough time to let it sit in the freezer before serving.
Mojitos by the Pitcher
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
The freshly muddled mint and lime zest in this recipe give every pour a sweet and refreshing zing—a perfect pair with dinner off the grill at your next summer cookout.
Pitch Perfect Margaritas
Fresh limes and your favorite tequila make this recipe even better than the margs on tap at your favorite Tex-Mex spot! For a colorful variation on a salted rim, try the Mexican seasoning Tajín instead.
Watermelon Rosé Sangria
Hydrating summer fruits and fresh basil make this sangria a crisp answer to the most humid afternoon. Mix the wine and fruit ahead of time, then crack open a can of cucumber sparkling water to mix individual servings.
Beer Margaritas
Summer’s two most iconic drinks, together at last? Light Mexican beer mingles with classic margarita fixings for a slightly less saccharine but certainly boozy marg that’ll please grillmasters, sunbathers, and game day superfans alike.
Hugo Spritz
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Mediterranean vacation on a budget, anyone? This Italian alternative to the Aperol spritz is a perfect effervescent pitcher drink for a garden party or late-summer cookout: It’s not too strong, not too sweet, and just bubbly enough.
Jamaican Rum Punch
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
Beach day in a pitcher! Mix pineapple, orange, and lime juice with three types of rum ahead of time, then add slices of fresh fruit right before serving for picture-perfect glasses of this tropical favorite.
Corona Sunrise
fabeveryday
This variation on a tequila sunrise calls for adding tequila sunrise ingredients to a half-full bottle of your favorite Mexican lager. Make this a pitcher drink by pre-mixing tequila, orange juice, grenadine, and lime for each of your party guests to add to their half-full bottles of beer.
Strawberry Mojito
Zesty lime and sweet strawberries make this seasonal variation on the classic mojito a vibrant, crowd-pleasing cocktail perfect for any summer evening.
Vodka Lemonade with Mint
This grown-up take on lemonade is an easy go-to for hot summer afternoons. Crisp citrus, smooth vodka, and bright lime give this simple pitcher drink a hint of sophistication. Garnish generously with a sprig of mint.
Sicilian Sunset
This recipe couldn’t be easier to whip up for large groups: Just open a few bottles and combine the contents in a pitcher or punch bowl. Orange and cranberry juice play nicely with prosecco—and if you’re looking for a nonalcoholic version, substitute the bubbly with lemon-lime soda!
Negroni Sbagliato
Allrecipes Magazine
This swanky summer spritz couldn't be simpler to batch for a party. Combine Campari and vermouth ahead of time and let the mix chill. When you’re ready to serve, pop a bottle of chilled prosecco and add to the pitcher for a no-mess, no-stress, all-class cocktail.
Pineapple Basil Vodka Sours
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Home mixologists who love a chemistry experiment, this one’s for you. This recipe calls for infusing vodka with pineapple and basil for 1-3 days, then adding DIY sour mix for a fruity, zesty batch of drinks. Customize this recipe with your own fruit and herb infusions for fresh batches all summer long.
Strawberry Daiquiri
Never buy a premade daiquiri mix again! This sweet, frozen crowd-pleaser combines bright citrus, sweet strawberry, and bubbly lemon-lime soda for an easy way to beat the heat. Easily make it nonalcoholic by leaving out the rum.
More Inspiration
Read the original article on All Recipes.
