Why Batch Cocktails? A Guide to Batching Cocktails for Beginners

Hosting a party soon? Have an upcoming event to manage? Worried about an upcoming holiday? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions…. pre-batched cocktails at home is the solution for you!

Cocktails are crowd-friendly and perfect for holiday parties, dinners, or casual gatherings. When you batch cocktails for parties or events, you’ll save time while also serving drinks that are consistently balanced and delicious. 

This guide covers everything you need to know about batching cocktails for beginners. Whether you’re looking to have a self-serve drink station, place a pitcher down in the center of the table, or individually pour drinks to your guests…this Crew Supply Co. post is for you. Keep reading for practical tips, inspiration, and get the scoop on how to make delicious pre-batched cocktails at home. Let’s get this party started.

 

Best Batch Cocktails for Parties & Streamline Workflow 

Not all cocktails are created equal, and everyone has their own personal preferences and favorite orders. When it comes to making batch cocktails for parties and events, certain cocktails are better suited for batching. Additionally, when you have the right cocktail batching tools, you’ll be ready to rock and roll. 

Below, you’ll find the best batch cocktails for parties and events that you can easily make ahead of time! These drinks are well-balanced and hold their potency and flavors. So, without further ado, here are our picks for the top pre-batched cocktails at home. These are sure to satisfy, while also making your life easier, so you can focus on hosting! 

Margarita 

If you’re looking to have a good time, margaritas are a great way to go! There is so much versatility with this drink. With the right cocktail batching tools, you can make margaritas before the party starts, as well as creating a custom garnish station!  

Tropical flavors? Sugar rims? Spicy jalapenos? A Tajin kick?! You can easily set up a fun and interactive drink table with pre-batched cocktails at home that are ready to serve. Additionally, if you’re going for spicy, the further you infuse ingredients, the more potent they’ll become.  

Spicy Margarita Recipe with Tequila or Mezcal 

Ingredients:

Adjust measurements for the size of the pre-batching vessel

Instructions: 

  • Combine all ingredients in bottles with removable bases or a receptacle of your choice 

  • Shake or stir for 10-15 seconds, refrigerate

  • When ready to serve, strain into a rocks glass filled with ice 


Negroni

If you’re looking for recipes for batching cocktails for beginners, the Negroni is a great place to start. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, Negronis are a great option for pre-batched cocktails at home. (We love them, obviously?!) 

Not only is this potent drink well-balanced and delicious, but it’s also one of the ideal batch cocktails for parties. Look for bottles with removable bases; this way, you can measure, pour, mix, and set aside until it's party time. Adding a pour spout will allow you to professionally pour drinks and reduce spillage during the party! 

Negroni Recipe 

 Ingredients:

Adjust measurements for the size of the pre-batching vessel

Instructions: 

  • Measure out ingredients

  • Stir and refrigerate

  • When ready to serve, strain into a rocks glass filled with ice


Espresso Martini

The Espresso Martini is a crowd pleaser, putting it at the top of the list when it comes to batch cocktails for parties. With the right cocktail batching tools, you can get this drink set up and ready to rock without much effort. Your guests will be pleasantly surprised by the tasty and popular drinks that you’ve concocted for them. Additionally, if you use bottles with removable bases, they are easy to prepare and clean!

Espresso Martini Recipe

 Ingredients:

Adjust measurements for the size of the pre-batching vessel

  • 2 oz vodka 

  • 1 oz coffee liquor 

  • 1 oz room temperature espresso

  • 3 coffee beans for garnish

Instructions: 

  • Combine all ingredients in bottles with removable bases or a container of your choice 

  • Shake for 30 seconds, refrigerate

  • When ready to serve, strain into a martini or coup glass


Mulled Punch or Holiday Sangria 

Sangrias, mulled punches, and Glögg are all perfect batch cocktails for parties. While the ingredients can vary and are quite adaptable, the base is typically wine and fresh fruits. Not only are these drinks delicious and festive, but they are pretty too. Freshly cut fruits add texture, vibrancy, and flavor. 

Sangria can be adaptable for both the summer heat or winter cold. For festive renditions incorporate rosemary, cranberry, cinnamon, and warming spices. Glögg, or mulled punch, is the ultimate winter and holiday drink. 

These drinks are ideal for batching cocktails for beginners. Keep experimenting with them until you find your favorite flavor combinations and potency! 

Scandinavian Glögg Recipe

 Ingredients:

Adjust measurements for the size of the pre-batching vessel

Instructions: 

  • Combine all ingredients in bottles with removable bases or a container of your choice 

  • Stir and refrigerator

When ready to serve, heat all ingredients (without boiling), strain, and serve warm.


The Cocktail Batching Tools You Need to Batch Like a Pro

In order to make pre-batched cocktails at home, you need to be sure you have not only the right ingredients, but the correct cocktail batching tools too! In this next section on batching cocktails for beginners, you’ll discover precisely what cocktail batching tools are needed for success! 

 Crew Bottles® : 

Having bottles with removable bases is a game-changer when making pre-batched cocktails at home. The Crew Bottles®  collection is available in various sizes and colored bases. These expertly designed bottles are easy to clean and prep-friendly.

These bottles are at the top of our list for batching cocktails for beginners. They are leak-proof, reusable, and dishwasher-friendly. If you’re looking for cocktail batching tools, these bottles with removable bases are ideal for streamlining batches, infusions, and syrups.

Pour Spouts

Pour spouts are great for fast, controlled, and accurate pours. If you opt for batching your cocktails in bottles with removable bases, when it’s time to serve, pop on a pour spout and you’re ready to go.

Pour Boys® are built to last and are easy to clean. You can even put these spouts directly onto most standard liquor bottles when you batch cocktails for parties. They are convenient for the preparation, as well as the serving! 

Optional Cocktail Batching Tools  

While these next few tools aren’t necessary, they can be extremely useful, especially when it comes to batching cocktails for beginners. 

  • Funnel - If you don’t opt for bottles with removable bases and decide to batch your cocktails in a jug, reusable bottle, or any other container, a funnel can help you get the concoctions into the container without spilling.

  • Labels - If you don’t use a color coding system, then labels will be your best friend. This is true for both preparation and service. You can use painters tape and permanent markers or much fancier and creative labels.  

  • Fridge Space - Although not technically considered as cocktail batching tools, having enough room in your refrigerator is essential. So, before you begin your journey of making pre-batched cocktails at home or work, make sure there is ample refrigerator space to store your creations.

How to Store and Serve Batch Cocktails for Parties & Events

After you’ve decided on your drink recipes, acquired all your cocktail batching tools, and created your libations, you’ll need to store them until the guests arrive. Let’s go over some basic information on how to store and serve your batch cocktails for parties, events, and consumption! 

  • Chilling vs. Dilution

If you need to keep your batched cocktails cold, the most obvious solution is to store them in a refrigerator until serving. 

During service, you can store them in an ice bath to keep them cool and fresh throughout the event. Additionally, some cocktails like the Negroni or Margarita can be poured directly over ice.

Dilution is the process of adding water or ice cubes to your drinks; this is an option when preparing your pre-batched cocktails at home. However, if you add ice when making batch cocktails for parties, make sure to leave a little extra room for the dilution process, as the ice melts and turns into liquid. 

  • Dispensing Methods

While there are many ways to serve and dispense batched cocktails, the glass bottle and speed pourer are the ones we’ve primarily focused on here. The pour spout enables a controlled and clean pour, while also looking professional. Other beverage dispensers include pitchers or jugs that are ideal for self-service. 

  • How Long Do Batched Cocktails Last?

This is a great question and also a very important thing to consider when you’re making pre-batched cocktails at home. Here is a general rundown on how long batched cocktails will last. 

  • Spirit Only Cocktails (Negronis) 1-3 months when chilled in an air-tight container 

  • Citrus-Based (Margarita) 1-2 days, best served fresh, refrigerate after making

  • Fresh Juices/Purees (Mai Tais) 1-3 days, refrigerate, shake before serving

  • Dairy-Based (White Russian) 1-2 days, refrigerate, shake before serving

 

Pro Tips for Party Hosts: Pre-Batched Cocktails at Home

A little planning ahead will go a long way, and help to ensure a successful and smooth party or event at home. Hosting can be stressful, and choosing to batch cocktails for parties will help relieve some of the pressure. With the right cocktail batching tools and quality ingredients, you’re in a great shape already, but here are a few more tips for pre-batched cocktails at home!

  • Label Clearly - This helps both you, the bartender, and your guests!

  • Prep Garnish Ahead - When you’re prepapring the pre-batched cocktails at home, it’s wise to do the garnishes at the same time. And why not store the garnishes directly in the containers that you’ll serve them in?! If you’re crunched for time, opt for dehydrated fruits from a reputable source.

  • Make a Mocktail Version in a Second Bottle - Since you’re already batching cocktails, and you have all the ingredients out and ready to go, making a mocktail is a great idea. This little extra step saves you time while being inclusive of all your guests, drinkers and non-drinkers alike.

That’s a Wrap on Batching Cocktails for Beginners

Thanks for reading this guide to batching cocktails for beginners. We hope that it has been helpful and that you’ve identified the cocktail batching tools you need for a job well done.

Opting for pre-batched cocktails at home or work saves your time and energy. This way you can focus on the hosting and entertaining. Shop for cocktail batching tools that are trusted by the industry pros.

0 comments

Latest Stories

This section doesn’t currently include any content. Add content to this section using the sidebar.