5 Boozy Punches for a Summer Bash

Summer is the best time for a long, languid party. Anything from a casual backyard bash to a summer holiday is the perfect occasion to gather together, eat a lot of corn and watermelon, and get some summer sun. I love making a big punch for the adults at a celebration. Each of these recipes uses a different central spirit (tequila, vodka, whiskey, rum, and wine) to satisfy whatever bash or palate you’re working from.

Easiest Batch Margaritas

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Serves: 15

Time: 5 minutes

Listen, when I entertain to impress, I go the full nine with my margaritas. Fresh-squeezed lime juice, artisan agave syrup, the works. But when I’m entertaining a crowd, these margaritas are my go-to. This recipe is simple, it’s easy to remember and shop for, and it’s a huge crowd pleaser. Guava is the standard Jumex flavor my family uses, but mango, pineapple, strawberry, and peach make great margaritas, too.

Ingredients:

• 750 mL bottle of Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila

• 1.75 L bottle of Jose Cuervo Margarita Mix

• 2 L bottles of Guava Jumex

Instructions:

1. Fill a drink dispenser with a spigot that can hold at least 5 liters about 1/3 of the way with ice.

2. Pour in the margarita mix, then the tequila, then the Jumex.

3. Stir the mixture to combine with a long wooden spoon.

4. Drink immediately.

Pomegranate Cosmopolitans

Serves: 8

Time: 20 minutes

Cosmopolitans require a bit more work than some of the others on this list - but it’s worth it. Shaking and straining creates a beautifully combined martini. The deep ruby color of pomegranate cosmopolitans makes them perfect for a lovely, aesthetic bachelorette party or wedding shower. If you decide to double this batch, buy bottled lime juice. Life is too short to ruin your wrists juicing limes by hand.

Ingredients:

• 2 c good vodka (such as Tito’s or Grey Goose)

• 1 c clear orange liqueur (such as triple sec)

• 1 c pomegranate juice

• 1/2 c lime juice (about 4 limes)

• Sliced or dried limes for garnish

Instructions:

1. Freeze 8 martini glasses.

2. Add all ingredients to a pitcher.

3. Fill a cocktail shaker about half way with ice. Pour ingredients from the pitcher until the shaker is about 3/4 full.

4. Put the top on the shaker and shake well.

5. Pour through a fine mesh strainer into chilled martini glasses.

6. Repeat until all glasses are sufficiently full.

7. Garnish with lime and consume immediately.

Sweet Peach Tea Punch

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Serves: 8

Time: 30 minutes (plus overnight chilling)

The biggest challenge when making this punch? Picking a whiskey. I would stay away from Scotch - the smoky peat flavors do not combine well with juicy peach. The sweet vanilla of notes of Bourbon and Canadian Whisky go with tea like fish and water. Irish whiskey has bright apple notes that could add lovely dimension to this punch, and American Rye’s spicy, peppery flavor certainly adds a unique flavor. If you want to get even more creative, use apricots instead of peaches in this punch.

Ingredients:

• 4 bags of black tea

• 8 c water

• 1/2 c of honey

• 1 pounds (3-4) peaches, sliced and pits removed

• 2 lemons

• 750 mL of whisk(e)y or bourbon

Equipment:

• Large Saucepan or Stockpot

• Scissors

• Muddler or masher

• Large Fine Mesh Strainer

• Pitcher

• Spoon

Instructions:

1. Bring water to a boil on the stove. Cut open the tea bags and shake the loose tea into the boiling water. Boil for approximately 5 minutes.

2. Reduce the temperature and add the honey and peaches to the tea. Use a muddler or a masher to mash the peaches into a pulp (the juicier the peaches, the easier it will be).

3. Cook the mixture on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.

4. Place the mesh strainer over a pitcher. Pour the peach tea mixture over the strainer (use your masher again to get all of the peach juice and tea into the pitcher). Let cool in refrigerator overnight.

5. Add the whiskey to the pitcher. Juice the 2 lemons into the pitcher. Stir well. Serve immediately with a sprig of mint.

Fizzy Spiked Watermelon Lemonade

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Serves: 16

Time: 30 minutes (plus overnight chilling)

If you’re trying to prep early for a party (but still want to impress), try this delicious lemonade. I spent a few weeks perfecting the proportion of lemon to sugar, and the result is the perfect summer drink. It takes some time to make this lemonade, but it doesn’t take any special knowledge or skills. Watermelon adds a light, crisp quality without sacrificing flavor. Making simple syrup for the lemonade adds some time (you don’t want to drink warm lemonade, after all). Make the lemonade the night before and assemble the ingredients JUST before guests arrive for the perfect timeline.

Ingredients for Watermelon Lemonade:

• 2 c sugar

• 4 c water

• 15 oz lemon juice

• 1 large lemon

• 8 oz of chopped seedless watermelon

Equipment for Watermelon Lemonade:

• Saucepan

• Citrus Juicer

• Fine/Microplane Grater

• Blender

• Large Fine Mesh Strainer

• Large Bowl

• Spoon

• Pitcher

Instructions for Watermelon Lemonade:

1. In a saucepan on the stove, continuously stir and heat the sugar and water until sugar has dissolved (the mixture will be clear with a slightly golden tint). Turn off the heat, and set aside to cool (put it in the freezer if serving soon).

2. In your blender, combine watermelon and 15 oz (just shy of 2 cups) lemon juice. Zest one large lemon into the mixture. Juice your naked lemon into the blender.

3. Blend the mixture until it’s smooth and combined (about a minute). Place the strainer over the bowl, and pour the watermelon mixture through the strainer. Use a spoon to stir the mixture around in the strainer and ensure all the lemony goodness makes it into the bowl.

4. Combine the watermelon-lemon juice mixture and the sugar water into a pitcher and stir to combine.

Ingredients for the Punch:

• Watermelon Lemonade

• 750 mL unflavored white rum (such as Bacardi)

• 1 L club soda (if you want it to be super bubbly, I recommend three 12 oz bottles of Topo Chico sparkling water)

• 2 cups frozen chopped watermelon (appx. the size of ice cubes)

Instructions for the Punch:

1. In a large punch bowl, pour in the lemonade, then the rum. Stir well with a wooden spoon.

2. Pour in the club soda a bit at a time (to prevent fizzing over).

3. Top with frozen watermelon to stay chilled. Drink immediately!

Classic Spanish Sangria

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Serves: 8

Time: 15 minutes (plus at least 2 hours to chill)

I realize this is ironic given my margarita blasphemy above, but I think unless sangria is made in the classic Spanish way, it’s not sangria anymore, it’s punch with fruit. To me, it must have 1) red Spanish wine 2) brandy and 3) orange juice to be real sangria. Besides, if you make sangria the classic way, people are absolutely obsessed. I have actually won a sangria contest with this recipe. It’s cool, refreshing, drinkable, and something you’ll make over and over. If you want to have a little fun, apple brandy is a great addition that preserves the classic flavor.

Ingredients:

• 2 small (or 1 large) green apple(s)

• 2 navel oranges

• 1 lemon

• 1 whole cinnamon stick

• 750 mL bottle of a red Spanish wine (such as Rioja or Tempranillo)

• 1 c brandy

• 1 c orange juice

Instructions:

1. Slice oranges into 1/2-3/4 inch slices, discarding the ends.

2. Remove the core, and slice apples into large chunks (use an apple corer/slicer to save time).

3. Peel the rind off the lemon and cut in half (you’re going to juice it in a minute).

4. Pour the wine, brandy, and orange juice into a large pitcher. Stir to combine.

5. Add the apples, oranges, lemon rind, and cinnamon sticks. Place the pitcher in the fridge to chill for at least 2 hours (or overnight).

6. Remove the cinnamon stick and lemon rind.

7. Serve over ice, and enjoy immensely!

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Have you made any of these? Leave a review below and let me know what you think!