Truth: You shake a mean cocktail, but come holiday party season, the hostess with the mostest shouldn’t stand in a corner preparing individual drinks for each and every one of her guests. Here's the ultimate solution: 30 punch bowl cocktails that make serving everyone (including yourself) a breeze.
30 Punch Bowl Cocktails to Make Over the Holidays
1. Cranberry-mint Holiday Punch
A cocktail that serves itself is the gift that keeps on giving.
2. White Christmas Margarita Punch
Pretty enough to double as decoration.
3. Sparkling Pomegranate Punch
Candied rosemary garnishes, FTW.
4. Raspberry-lime Champagne Punch
This, a few friends and an epic playlist are all you need for a great New Year's Eve.
5. Spiced Wine
Red wine + apple cider = a match made in wintry heaven.
6. Slow-cooker Spiked Cinnamon Lattes
Just leave the Crock-Pot on warm with a ladle for easy serving.
7. Hot Buttered Rum
Presenting dessert in a glass. Double the recipe and serve it straight from the pot.
8. Honeycrisp And Bourbon Spiced Cider
Cinnamon, cardamom and ginger, oh my!
9. Mulled White Wine
Starring your favorite blanc and a generous glug of brandy.
10. Christmas Punch
Keep it virgin for the kids' table and spike a second batch with rum, vodka or Champagne.
11. Big-batch Pink Negronis
The addition of Lillet Blanc makes these pretty-in-pink sippers sweet and floral.
12. Classic Eggnog
Sure, you can add liquor to store-bought nog and call it a night. Or you can wow your guests with the real thing. Adding spiced rum is optional (kind of).
13. Holiday Cheermeister Cocktail
Soul-warming bourbon meets tart pomegranate juice and bubbly Prosecco. Go the extra mile by freezing cranberries, blood orange and rosemary sprigs in the ice cubes.
14. Apple Cider Sangria
In case you didn't get your fill of apple season by Thanksgiving.
15. Spiced Cranberry Punch
Three words: Chai. Sugar. Rim. If you need more convincing, this drink can be made ahead and stored in the fridge until cocktail hour.
16. Classic Horchata
This Mexican staple is as easy as soaking rice in water overnight and blending until smooth. Then, it's time to pick your poison: Rum or Kahlúa would both taste divine.
17. Pumpkin Patch Punch
Pumpkin butter is the secret to all its magic. Find some at the supermarket or make your own.
18. Cranberry Thyme Spritz
The fresh grapefruit and lime juices will show you what citrus season is all about.
19. Mulled Wine Sangria
Double the seven-ingredient recipe in your slow cooker instead of on the stove so it stays hot throughout the whole party.
20. Cranberry Bourbon Sour Punch
Wet a few rosemary springs, roll them in sugar and let them dry for the ultimate pièce de résistance.
21. Sparkling Christmas Party Punch
Thanks to bubbly ginger beer, we're bookmarking this pick for New Year's Eve, too.
22. Hot Buttered Bourbon
The buttered batter is made with brown sugar, maple syrup and warm winter spices. Excuse us while we drool.
23. Slow-cooker Cranberry Hot Toddy
Aka the cashmere sweater of cocktails. This one calls for amber rum and brandy instead of traditional bourbon.
24. Champagne Punch
We may or may not be planning on adding a few scoops of fruit sherbet to the punch bowl...
25. Homemade Wassail
Start with store-bought cider or try making your own. You can even just boil apple juice and spruce it up with seasonal spices.
26. Spiced Bourbon Punch
Whole bottles of bourbon and sparkling wine? That's one way to land yourself on the naughty list. (Worth it.)
27. Rudolph's Rockin' Pomegranate Jingle Juice Punch
You can never have too many five-ingredient party cocktails up your sleeve.
28. Holiday Sangria
Just dump all the ingredients in a pitcher, stir to combine and refrigerate overnight. It's a Christmas miracle.
29. Christmas Punch
This recipe works with Champagne, Prosecco or Cava—the punch bowl is your oyster.
30. Slow Cooker Coconut Hot Chocolate
Spike it with Kahlúa, coconut rum or even white chocolate liqueur for the ultimate grown-up treat.