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The sweet toothed with love these easy batched holiday cocktails

Create big batches of up to 32 servings, then kick back and enjoy your party

By Georgina Torbet Nov 13, 2024 9:00 AM

sweet batched holiday cocktails skrewball 6 2020 241 1 — Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey

Here at The Manual we’re big fans of batched cocktails, especially when you’re hosting a large group. Being able to mix your cocktails in advance leaves you free to attend to all the other business of hosting, like greeting people, preparing food, and having some fun yourself instead of running back and forth to the kitchen all night as you frantically try to make more drinks.

That’s especially useful during the holidays, when you might be hosting a more elaborate gathering and you’ll benefit immensely from having drinks pre-prepared and ready to go. But it’s important to pick the right cocktails for batching if you’re hoping to please all of your guests. If you’re a cocktail enthusiast, you might enjoy bitter or complex drinks the most, but your average guest may well be happier with something sweet, tasty, and festive. So embrace that and lean into the sweetness for holiday drinks — and remember that sweet things can be delicious as well.

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We’ve got a selection of recipes that are perfect for a big crowd, with up to 32 servings each that will allow people to have multiple drinks without you having to lift a finger. Prepare these in advance and enjoy and more relaxed holiday party.

Bourbon Apple Twist (32 Servings)

Rabbit Hole Apple Bourbon Twist — Rabbit Hole Cavehill Bourbon

Ingredients:

48 oz Rabbit Hole Cavehill Bourbon
32 oz Apple Juice
16 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
16 oz Apple Cider Syrup (Simmer 1 cup apple cider until reduced by half. Add ¼ cup light brown sugar and ¼ cup granulated sugar. Stir to dissolve.)

The Skrew-dolph (32 Servings)

Skrewball_6.2020-221(1) — Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey

Ingredients:

56 oz Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey
8 oz Peppermint Schnapps
144 oz Hot Chocolate
Garnish: Whipped Cream and/or Marshmallows

Bear Fight Hot Chocolate (32 Servings)

Bear Fight Hot Chocolate — Bear Fight Whiskey

Ingredients:

32 oz Bear Fight Whiskey
192 oz Hot Chocolate
Garnish: Whipped Cream

Georgina has been the space writer at Digital Trends space writer for six years, covering human space exploration, planetary… Read Full Bio

The tequila-based cocktails you need to learn this summer

Espolòn Tequila

While there’s no wrong time of year for tequila-based cocktails, summer just might be the best. Also, when it comes to warm-weather spirits, it’s hard to beat the appeal of agave-based tequila, with flavors like citrus, vanilla, vegetal agave, cracked black pepper, and other spices. Aging only adds to the nuanced flavor profile, making tequila a great choice for warm-weather mixed drinks like the Margarita, Paloma, and more.

While I’ve sung the praises of gin-based cocktails during the summer months, I have the same affinity for tequila. There’s something special about sitting on a deck (or dock) overlooking a pond, lake, or river while you sip a tequila-based cocktail on a warm, humid afternoon. When you’re sipping your drink and taking in the picturesque view, there are no deadlines and emails waiting for response. You’re in the moment and just going with the flow as jet skis, pontoon boats, and sailboats glide by.

Classic golf course beers you’ll want to drink this summer

Dale’s Pale Ale

If you’re anything like me, you’re going to spend at least another day or two on the golf course before the end of summer. You might not notice it, but the days are growing shorter, and fall is lurking on the horizon like a pumpkin spice-fueled monster. Your chances of spending sunny, humid days on the links are quickly dwindling. And while where you’re golfing and who you’re with is important, so too is what you’re drinking.

In my years of golfing and drinking, I’ve encountered myriad golf course cocktails, and I’ve found that while you can’t beat the classic flask of whiskey, there’s nothing better than a crisp, refreshing beer on a warm summer day spent enjoying 18 holes. Who cares if you’re hitting eagles or double bogeys left and right if you have a nice beer to sip?

Who needs decanters? The future is wine from a pump box

Alcohol, Beverage, Bottle

Mark West, the official wine sponsor of Major League Baseball, is putting a working wine dispenser disguised as a ketchup pump into a cornfield in Iowa, and honestly, I respect the commitment to the bit.

The “Top Up Dispenser,” as they’re calling it, will show up outside the diamond at next week’s MLB at Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa — the annual matchup played next to the actual field from the 1989 movie.