15 Make-Ahead Pitcher Cocktails to Sip All Summer

Kelli Foster
Kelli FosterSenior Contributing Food Editor
Kelli is a Senior Contributing Food Editor for Kitchn. She's a graduate of the French Culinary Institute and author of the cookbooks, Plant-Based Buddha Bowls, The Probiotic Kitchen, Buddha Bowls, and Everyday Freekeh Meals. She lives in New Jersey.
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updated May 25, 2023
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Sparkling Spiked Peach Lemonade (Image credit: Maureen Petrosky)

Every summer shindig needs a refreshing cocktail. And since summer is a time for kicking back and relaxing, skip the made-to-order drinks — it’s time for pitcher cocktails!

From sangrias to margaritas to mojitos, here are 15 cocktails to stir and shake before your guests arrive.

Sangria just might be the ultimate pitcher drink; it’s a classic. And whether you go for a red wine version, or something super summery with watermelon, red berries, or peaches, it’s an easy drink to prep before your party.

Sangria

Of course sangria isn’t the only make-ahead pitcher drink to lean on this summer. Choose from spritzers, fruity margaritas, boozy lemonade, mojitos, and many more crowd pleasers.

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How To Make Red Wine Sangria
Red wine sangria is one of the easiest big-batch pitcher cocktails you can make. Here's how to do it.
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Sparkling Watermelon Sangria

When making this sangria, you can puree watermelon with brandy or white port if you want a smoother slushie-type drink.

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3 / 5
Sparkling White Peach Sangria
White wine and white peaches keep this simple 4-ingredient sangria cool and refreshing.
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4 / 5
Strawberry & Limoncello Rosé Sangria
With very little effort, you can make a pitcher of gorgeous sangria that's perfect for brunch or happy hour on your porch.
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5 / 5
Mixed Berry Sangria
This refreshing wine cocktail, made with crushed berries and red wine, is the perfect last-minute drink to serve to guests.
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More Cocktails

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4th of July Wine Sparklers

This cocktail has two ingredients, made right in the serving pitcher, with a cute fruit garnish for a little patriotic flair.

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Easy Pitcher Cocktail Recipe: Strawberry Basil Margaritas

One of the simplest, best-loved cocktails is this strawberry basil margarita.

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Spiked Blueberry Basil Lemonade

Mixing up pitchers for the kiddos and pre-batching the adult drinks saves you from playing bartender all night and lets you enjoy the party too.

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Peruvian Pisco Punch

The key ingredient in the classic recipe is gum syrup (an emulsifier using gum arabic that may be difficult to source).

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Sparkling Cojito Cocktail

The addition of mint, fresh-squeezed lime juice, and seltzer for some fizz, all make this cocktail refreshing and delicious and the perfect pitcher drink for your weekend.

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6 / 10
Strawberry Gin Smash

In the world of cocktails, the smash is historically a drink that called for mint, a lump of sugar, ice, and the spirit of your choice.

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Grilled Pineapple Mojito

With this cocktail, you’ll be muddling fresh-picked mint with some grilled pineapple. The pineapple's candied caramel flavor perfectly pairs with rum.

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8 / 10
Sparkling Spiked Peach Lemonade
A refreshing pitcher cocktail that combines ice-cold lemonade and fresh-picked juicy peaches.
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Beekeeper's Balm Cocktail

This hit drink combines lemon balm from the kitchen and some rum from the bar, all mixed with creamed honey.

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10 / 10
Blueberry Lavender Vodka Spritzer

Summer is prime blueberry season, so it seemed only suitable to mix the berries with lavender in a lovely simple syrup.

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Beverages
Make Ahead
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