Skip to main content

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

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.

Recommended Videos

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 Torbet
Georgina Torbet is a cocktail enthusiast based in Berlin, with an ever-growing gin collection and a love for trying out new…
Ring in the new year with these timeless classic rum cocktails
The iconic rum drinks are suited to any celebration
rum cocktails nye diplomatico manhattan

With December already in full swing, there's always a ton to do at this time of year. From decorating the house to preparing for hosting or cooking duties, the festive season can have a lot going on. So while there are still several weeks until New Year's Eve, it's worth thinking about getting ready for a party if you're planning on hosting.

While Christmas and Hanukkah come with their own flavors and traditions, New Year is a celebration that's a bit freer -- you can celebrate in whatever way feels right for you. And that might be a quiet night at home on the sofa, or it might be a flamboyant party. Either way, though, it's a great time to enjoy some well crafted cocktails.

Read more
We’ll be making this jolly bright green Grinchmas cocktail this month
A fun, colorful cocktail with flavors of matcha and maraschino
grinchmas cocktail a sparkling wine and green liqueur being poured

Tis the season for fun and colorful holiday cocktails, but today's recipe is one that stands out for its use of an unusual cocktail flavor: matcha. While this Japanese green tea is all the rage in lattes and baking, it's not something you often see used in western cocktails. But this recipe from Bridget Albert, host of the Served Up podcast, makes full use of not only matcha's fresh, grassy flavor but also its distinctive green color.

Named for the beloved grumpy Christmas Grinch, the Grinchmas uses home made matcha syrup along with the Last Word-inspired classic flavors of gin, citrus, and Maraschino liqueur. There's also some sparkling wine and even some edible glitter in there for some sparkling holiday fun.
How to make a Grinchmas
By Bridget Albert, Senior Director of External Communications & Host of the Served Up Podcast at Southern Glazer's

Read more
These are the holiday wines Master Sommelier Emily Wines is serving this season
Inexpensive, midrange, and splurge wines for the holidays
Glasses with bubbling Champagne

Here at The Manual, we're always wondering what the pros are doing, whether it's a Michelin-starred restaurant pairing beer and food or a sommelier enjoying wine at home. We can't resist an insider's look under the hood, so to speak, on or off the clock.

So, with the holidays approaching and good wine all the more in order, we called upon Master Sommelier Emily Wines. The accomplished industry vet cut her teeth on restaurant floors in San Francisco before going through the requisite formal training and becoming a true spokesperson for memorable wines.

Read more