Party and big-batch drinks
Drinks made by the jug or the pan, so you can make them ahead and spend the party with your guests rather than behind the counter.
Each recipe tells you how many it serves. Use the servings button on the recipe page to scale it up or down.
13 recipes
How to choose a drink for a crowd
The best party drinks can be made before guests arrive and served with a ladle. For a summer party, choose a punch. For a cold evening, choose something mulled that can sit on the hob.
Check how many each recipe serves. The Christmas punch serves ten, the mulled wine serves six and the mulled cider and mulled gin serve eight. Use the servings button on any recipe to scale it.
Pick one cold drink and one hot drink if the weather is unpredictable. Two options are plenty, plus water and something alcohol-free.
How to make punch ahead of time
Mix the spirits and juices in the bowl and chill them for at least two hours. Add the prosecco at the last moment, so the punch stays lively. The Christmas punch recipe does exactly this.
Use one large block of ice, not cubes. Freeze a tub of water the night before, because a block melts far more slowly and keeps the punch cold without watering it down. The rum punch recipe can be multiplied by the number of guests and mixed in a jug without ice.
Taste the punch before guests arrive. If it is too tart, add a little sugar syrup, and if it is too sweet, add a squeeze of lemon.
Serving eggnog safely
Eggnog serves eight and improves after a night in the fridge. The recipe uses raw egg, so use British Lion eggs and do not serve it to pregnant women, young children or older people.
For versions without raw egg, see the vegan eggnog or the custard-style alcohol-free eggnog.
Serve eggnog in small glasses, because it is rich. Grate fresh nutmeg over each one, as ground nutmeg fades quickly. Whisk or stir it again just before you ladle it out, as it can settle in the fridge.
Pacing and alcohol-free options
Batch drinks are easy to over-pour. Count on each glass of the Christmas punch being about two units, serve food alongside and put water on the table.
Always make something alcohol-free too. The virgin sangria and alcohol-free mulled apple both feed a crowd, so guests who are driving or not drinking have a proper drink too.
Serve the alcohol-free drink in the same glasses, with the same garnish, so nobody stands out.
Questions people ask
What is the best drink to serve at a party?
A big-batch drink you can make ahead is best, such as a punch in summer or mulled wine in winter. You mix it once, then serve it with a ladle. The Christmas punch serves ten and can be chilled in advance, with the prosecco added at the last moment.
How do you keep punch cold without watering it down?
Use one large block of ice rather than cubes. Freeze a tub or loaf tin of water the night before and slide it into the bowl. A block melts far more slowly than cubes, so the punch stays cold without turning weak. Chill the ingredients first too.
How far ahead can I make eggnog?
Eggnog can be made the day before. Chill it for at least two hours, and ideally overnight, because the flavour improves. Whisk or stir it before serving. Keep it in the fridge until you serve it, because it contains raw egg and dairy.
Is it safe to serve eggnog with raw egg?
Use British Lion eggs, and do not serve raw-egg eggnog to pregnant women, young children, older people or anyone unwell. A safer option is to cook the yolks into a custard first. The vegan and alcohol-free eggnog recipes on this page avoid the issue.
How many people does a batch of mulled wine serve?
The mulled wine recipe here serves six, using a 750 ml bottle of red wine plus brandy. To serve more, scale up using the servings button on the recipe page and use a larger pan. Keep it warm on the lowest heat, without letting it bubble.
What can I serve guests who are not drinking?
Offer a batch drink that has no alcohol, so they are not left out. The virgin sangria and alcohol-free mulled apple both serve a group. Put them out in the same style of jug or pan as the alcoholic drinks.