3 Easy Pitcher Cocktails For Your Summer

Summer is finally here, and it’s beaming down on us harder then ever! As much as you may enjoy mixing cocktails on the weekends, it can be exhausting when you have guests over. Everyone loves a good drink, so when a guest sees someone mixing, they’re sure to take advantage and leave you shaking for the whole crowd. If you’re looking to spend your day relaxing rather than showcasing your cocktail skills, then pitcher sized cocktails are the way to go. Just prepare your pitcher cocktail ahead of the party and leave your guests to do their own thing and serve themselves!

To keep you and your family cool on the weekends, take a look at some of our favorite pitcher cocktail recipes and keep the drinks flowing at the next summer barbeque or get together. 

1. The Tipsy Arnold Palmer

Nothing says summer like an Arnold Palmer, so why not give your drink an extra kick with Four Roses Bourbon? Made with all the traditional ingredients of an Arnold Palmer, now in a pitcher recipe that’s the perfect portion to share between you and a few friends. This recipe is ideal for serving about 4 to 5 guests. For this cocktail, you will need 7oz of Four Roses Bourbon, 7oz of Iced Tea, 3.5oz of Mint simple syrup, and 3.5oz of lemon juice. Finish off with 5oz of water for the perfect tipsy palmer!

1. Simply add all of your ingredients into a pitcher and stir.

2. Serve your tipsy palmer over crushed ice with a lemon wedge or mint sprig.

3. Enjoy!

2. Rosé Sangria

This recipe comes courtesy of the Bon Appetit Test Kitchen. Try pairing this Rosé Sangria with a relaxed day of morning group yoga in the yard or a lovely picnic in the park. Warm summer nights have never met a more refreshing partner. All you need for this recipe is 4 Persian cucumbers, 2 bottles of your favorite 750ml Rosé, 1/2 cup of white vermouth, 1 bunch of mixed herbs (think basil, mint, tarragon, or parsley) and 2 cans of your favorite 12oz citrus soda. We recommend San Pellegrino’s Limonata, but you can also use Sprite or 7-Up for a sweeter sip.

1. Cut 3 of your cucumbers into spears and set aside. Coarsely chop the last cucumber and smash the pieces with the back of your knife to release the juices. Place into your large pitcher.

2. Add your 2 bottles of Rosé and 1/2cup of vermouth into the pitcher and stir to combine. 

3. Set aside a few of your herbs for garnish. Lightly bruise your herb bunch by smacking onto your cutting board before adding to the pitcher

4. Cover your pitcher and chill for 3 hours or overnight for the best combination of flavor

5. Pour your sangria into ice-filled glasses before topping each off with soda.

6. Garnish each glass with an herb that you’ve set aside.

7. Enjoy!

3. Watermelon Margarita

Watermelon and summer pair together just like Margaritas and summer, so let’s combine the two for a perfect and refreshing cocktail that hits all the best parts of your taste buds! This watermelon margarita recipe is sure to be a hit at your next barbeque or pool party, even more so when you don’t have to keep blending everyone’s drinks. For this recipe, you will need 3-4 cups of ripe seedless watermelon that’s cut into 1inch cubes, 2 limes (juiced), 4oz of Jose Cuervo Tradicional Silver Tequila, 2oz of Grand Marnier, 2 to 3 cups of ice, coarse sea salt, and simple syrup. Have enough ingredients on hand for another batch because this cocktail is sure to go fast!

1. Rub a lime around the rim of each serving glass and dip in sea salt. Have a sweet tooth? You can also rim the glass with sugar!

2. Fill your blender with the cubed watermelon, 2 cups of ice, tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice.

3. Blend your margarita until the watermelon is completely pureed and your ice is crushed.

4. Fill each serving glass with ice, pour in your margarita, and garnish with a wheel of lime.

5. Got a bad melon? Add a bit of simple syrup to your mixture if your watermelon is lacking sweetness.

6. Enjoy!

Let us know what you think about these recipes on our Instagram @cwspirits and tag us in your story if you make one. As always, happy drinking!