11 Easy, Large-Batch Cocktails for Your Signature Drink (and Prewedding Festivities)
You have your beer on tap and bottles of wine to boot—but you still need some spirits for your wedding reception. Avoid a line at the bar by choosing a big-batch cocktail for your signature drink that can simply be poured and served for your guests. Bonus points: These drinks are so easy to make (and affordable too), you can even throw them together yourselves for other pre-wedding events like engagement parties, bridal showers and more. Find our favorites below, and feel free to tweak and experiment with the ingredients alongside your bartender for your bash.
1. Lemon Drop Champagne Punch
Citrusy and straightforward, lemon drop champagne punch will leave all your guests wanting more. All you need is lemons, champagne, sugar, vodka and candied lemon peels (if you’re feeling fancy).
2. Fresca Sangria
Fresca sangria is delicious and doesn’t require splurging on fancy ingredients—to start, you just need some bottles of cheap white wine. Simply add Fresca and fresh fruit like peaches, strawberries and grapes. Your guests will be coming back for more.
3. Strawberry Rosé Punch
A summery drink like strawberry rosé punch is super simple and affordable—all you need is four ingredients (frozen strawberries, pink Moscato champagne, lemon lime soda and simple syrup). Yes, please.
4. Blackberry Whiskey Lemonade
The whiskey-loving guys (and girls!) in your life will fall head over heels with this concoction. Simply combine whiskey, lemon juice, rosemary, fresh blackberries, sugar and tonic water (or sparkling wine) and voilà.
5. Mulled White Wine Sangria
Feel free to serve hot or cold or adjust the fruits to your liking (apples, kumquats—what have you). You just need some dry white wine, fresh lemon juice, cinnamon sticks, and the rest is up to you.
6. Warm Cider and Rum Punch
Perfect for a chilly fall or winter wedding, a spiked apple cider with cinnamon, fresh ginger, dark rum and an orange will pack a punch.
7. Fresh Watermelon Mojitos
Fruity and fresh, watermelon mojitos will taste like summer (and they’ll impress your guests). All you need is simple syrup, mint leaves, lime juice, white rum, soda and—yes—fresh watermelon.
8. Two-Ingredient Champagne Punch
Yes, two ingredients. It’s almost too easy—and delicious. Simply grab your favorite champagne, sparkling wine or prosecco and mix with scoops of sorbet. Top with fresh fruit if you’re feeling fancy.
9. Four-Ingredient Margaritas
Trying to serve your wedding guests on a budget? (We get it.) Margs are so affordable, you’ll probably want to make them again and again. All you need is oranges, water, tequila, and some store-bought lime-ade.
10. Hard Cider Slush
Yes, the slush is short for “slushie,” so get the shaved ice ready for this boozy, bourbon-spiked treat everyone will love. You’ll need apple cider (or juice), bourbon, cinnamon, simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, and dry hard cider. Garnish with apple slices.
11. Minty Moscow Mule Punch
Everyone loves a Moscow Mule—so why not upgrade it with a little kick of mint? If you already know how to make a Mule, this should be easy—you just need vodka, fresh lime juice, ginger beer, and some simple syrup. Garnish with mint (and some sprigs to give it an extra bite).
