Good party drinks share a few things in common. They scale up easily, they look good in a pitcher or punch bowl, and they appeal to a wide range of tastes. These eight recipes check all three boxes. Most can be prepped ahead of time so you’re not stuck behind a makeshift bar all night, and every one of them has been tested on people who didn’t know they were drinking a mocktail until someone told them.
Sangria
Sangria is the ultimate party pitcher drink. Cut up some fruit, pour in the non-alcoholic red wine and brandy alternative, add the spices, and let it sit in the fridge for a few hours. By the time guests arrive, the flavors have melded together and the fruit has soaked up everything good. Top each glass with sparkling water for fizz. It looks stunning and tastes even better than it looks.
Margarita
A margarita bar is one of the easiest ways to handle drinks for a group. Mix up a big batch of the base (non-alcoholic tequila, citrus, and agave), set it in a pitcher with ice, and put out salt, lime wedges, and maybe some tajin on the side. Guests can rim their own glasses and customize. It’s interactive, which takes pressure off you, and practically everyone loves a margarita.
Rum Punch
Punch was invented for parties, and this tropical version keeps that tradition alive. Multiple fruit juices, non-alcoholic rum, and grenadine create a layered, fruity drink that works in a punch bowl with a ladle. Float some orange slices and maraschino cherries on top for color. Rum punch is forgiving with proportions, so you can easily double or triple the recipe without worrying about precision.
Shirley Temple
Never underestimate the Shirley Temple at a party. It takes ten seconds to make, everyone from kids to grandparents knows and loves it, and it requires exactly two ingredients plus a cherry. Set out a bottle of grenadine next to some ginger ale and let people pour their own. It’s the ultimate low-effort, high-satisfaction party drink, and using quality pomegranate grenadine makes a real difference.
French 75
For more formal gatherings where you want something elegant, the French 75 delivers. The combination of cognac alternative, lemon, and sparkling water in a champagne flute looks and feels celebratory. You can pre-mix the cognac, lemon, and syrup components and just top with sparkling water as you serve. That way each glass takes seconds but looks like it took real effort.
Aperol Spritz
The Aperol Spritz has become the unofficial drink of outdoor entertaining. That orange color is immediately recognizable, and the bitter-sweet flavor profile is refreshing without being too sweet. Non-alcoholic aperitif, sparkling water, and an orange slice. It’s a three-ingredient drink that photographs well and tastes like you’re at a cafe somewhere in Italy. Perfect for garden parties and warm-weather gatherings.
Paloma
The Paloma is the margarita’s less famous but equally good sibling, and it’s even easier to batch. Non-alcoholic tequila, lime juice, and grapefruit soda. That’s it. The grapefruit gives it a bitter, grown-up edge that keeps it from tasting like a sugary fruit drink. Set out a plate of salt for rimming and a bowl of lime wedges and you have a self-serve drink station that runs itself.
Cranberry Cocktail
Cranberry cocktails are especially good for holiday parties, but they work year-round. The deep red color makes any table look more festive, and the tart-sweet flavor appeals to almost everyone. Non-alcoholic vodka, cranberry juice, lime, and a little simple syrup. Garnish with fresh cranberries and a rosemary sprig for a look that’s effortlessly seasonal. It mixes up in big batches without losing anything.
The common thread with all these recipes is that they’re designed to get out of your way. Prep ahead, set things out, and spend your time with your guests instead of behind a counter. If you’re looking for more ideas beyond party drinks, our easy mocktail recipes post covers ten options you can make in five minutes or less.
