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Holiday parties are fantastic. At least, the first few holiday parties of the year are fantastic. After that, each one can start to feel like a blur of ugly sweaters, campy music and maybe a sea of friends and family members you only see once a year (on purpose). You know what makes any holiday party instantly fabulous, though? Big-batch holiday cocktails.
A few bottles of wine and bourbon are all it really takes to get people good and tipsy at a holiday party, but well-planned holiday cocktails can totally bring things to the next level.
Since no one has time to mix individual drinks while they’re singing carols and filling up on sugar cookies, big-batch holiday cocktails are the way to go. Make a huge batch of some festive, boozy drink before everyone arrives, then set it out with a ladle and some cups and let guests go to town. And feel free to set out some no-cook holiday appetizers while you’re at it, you hostess with the mostess, you.
The following big-batch holiday cocktail recipes range from classic eggnog to a fancy gin punch you’ve definitely never tried before. Pick one (or a few) for your upcoming holiday fête, and watch as guests bask in the revelry.
Chatelaine.
Red Grapefruit Sparkler
This wine-and-rum red grapefruit sparkler is sweet and sour, and will look beautiful among your holiday decorations.
Heather Cristo.
Blood Orange Blackberry Rum Punch
Can’t stomach another overly sweet, festive holiday drink? This blood orange blackberry rum punch is just what you need.
Nerds With Knives.
Rosemary, Baby!
A classic drink with a quirky name, Rosemary, Baby! is a bourbon and grapefruit cocktail that’s guaranteed to sneak up on you.
Garden and Gun.
Knockout Bourbon Punch
True to its name, this knockout bourbon punch is a real kick in the pants. The combination of bourbon and Madeira will get everybody going, and notes of cinnamon and ginger make it festive (but not over-the-top).
Food52.
Bowery Punch
The folks at Food52 sure know how to throw a party. This bitter, gin-based Bowery punch will appease guests who don’t want to go the bourbon route.
Gimme Some Oven.
Mulled Wine
This sweet, spiced classic is lower in alcohol than most of the other cocktails on the list, so it’s great for a party that’ll last for hours and hours. Besides, it really isn’t the holidays until you’ve had some mulled wine.
The Kitchn.
Eggnog
Love it or hate it, eggnog is a time-honored holiday tradition. Skip the sickly sweet store-bought stuff and make your own (still pretty sweet) nog.
Food52.
Holiday Milk Punch
Just can’t get yourself on the eggnog bandwagon? This holiday milk punch is a lighter spin, made with brandy, rum, and a mix of milk and cream. The recipe only makes one cocktail, so scale way up and keep a pitcher in the fridge for guests.
Serious Eats.
Batch Old Fashioned Cocktails
When you want a truly stiff drink, it’s hard to beat a classic old fashioned. The problem is, no host wants to spend the whole party mixing drinks at the bar. This batch old fashioned makes 12 cocktails, so just set it in a bottle at your bar, along with some sliced oranges and cherries for garnish.
Food Republic.
Earl Grey Gin Punch
Cranberries, citrus, rosemary and tea give this Earl Grey gin punch plenty of flavor.
How Sweet Eats.
Blood Orange Sangria
Thought sangria was strictly a summer drink? Think again. This blood orange sangria is perfect for winter, and you can always swap out the berries for chopped apples or some pomegranate seeds.
Aberdeen’s Kitchen.
Homemade Peppermint Vodka Hot Chocolate
No drink is as cozy as classic hot chocolate. Make yours party-appropriate by swapping candy canes for peppermint vodka, and adding it to mugs of hot chocolate for this homemade peppermint vodka hot chocolate.