Many people think that cocktails are for summer but, with the holidays just around the corner, big batch cocktail recipes are a must. With these recipes, you can prepare a bowl of deliciousness that your guests can help themselves to.

Spooky and Sweet

This big batch cocktail is perfect for Halloween because it includes Strega. The word strega actually means witch in Italian hence the spooky theme.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ounces single malt Scotch whisky
  • ¾ ounce honey simple syrup
  • ¾ ounce Strega
  • ¾ ounce fresh lemon juice
  • Ice cubes
  • Pinch of salt

Method:

  • Fill a large Old Fashioned or similar glass with ice cubes.
  • Mix the Strega, whisky and honey simple syrup together with the lemon juice and salt in a cocktail shaker.
  • Fill the shaker with extra ice and shake well until chilled.
  • Double-strain the mixture into your prepared glass.
  • To make a big batch, simply multiply the ingredients and pour into a large punch bowl on a bed of ice.

Peach Bubbles

This big batch cocktail is delicious, sweet and bubbly. It is perfect for all occasions and it is a real crowd pleaser.

Ingredients for the simple syrup:

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 cups water
  • 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 5 sprigs fresh mint
  • 6 fresh basil leaves
  • ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

Ingredients for the cocktail:

  • 2 cups Coopers’ Craft Bourbon
  • 4 cups fresh lemonade
  • 20 frozen peach slices
  • 1 cup herbed simple syrup (ingredients listed above)
  • 1 ounce citrus bitters
  • 10 lemon rounds
  • 5 pounds of ice
  • 5 fresh thyme sprigs
  • 5 fresh rosemary sprigs
  • 375ml Korbel extra dry Champagne

Method:

  • Start by making the herbed simple syrup. Boil the water and sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat.
  • Once the sugar has dissolved, remove from heat and add the rest of the ingredients.
  • Allow to steep for 1 hour before straining into a storage container.
  • Discard the herbs and store the syrup in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
  • To make your cocktail, combine the bourbon and peaches in a large bowl.
  • Cover and allow to rest at room temperature overnight.
  • The following day, transfer these peaches and the juice into a punch bowl.
  • Add the lemonade, simple syrup, bitters and lemon rounds.
  • Stir and add ice.
  • Float the fresh herbs on top and top with chilled Champagne before serving.

Brilliant Bourbon

This is yet another delicious and easy to make big batch cocktail with just a few basic ingredients.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ounces bourbon
  • 4 lemon rounds
  • 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
  • 1 ounce maple syrup
  • 1 sprig fresh sage and extra for garnish
  • Ice cubes

Method:

  • Fill a rocks glass with some ice.
  • Place three lemon slices in a cocktail shaker.
  • Cover the lemon slices with syrup and bourbon.
  • Now add the sage leaves.
  • Muddle the mixture until it’s thicker and slightly cloudy. This usually takes about 30 seconds.
  • Add the lemon juice and fill your shaker with ice cubes.
  • Shake until chilled and strain into a prepared glass.
  • Garnish with a lemon round and some sage leaves.

So, if you have received a fabulous alcohol hamper with a bottle of whisky, bourbon or bubbly, you can put it to great use by trying out these delicious big batch cocktail recipes.