50 Potluck Party Drinks That Pack a Punch

Published on Jan. 29, 2019

It's "adults only" for these party drinks. From fun and fruity to warm and spicy, these boozy cocktails are made to share with 8+ servings each.

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Champagne Punch

A blend of four fruit juices pairs well with bubbly champagne in this party-pleasing punch. A strawberry garnish adds a festive touch. —Amy Short, Lesage, West Virginia
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Watermelon Margarita

Upgrade a classic lime margarita with this watermelon margarita recipe. The pretty, pink drink uses a sugared rim and blended watermelon to give the drink a sweet twist.
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Easy Irish Cream

Stir up this fast and easy recipe for a potluck brunch. There's plenty of coffee flavor in every cozy cup.—Anna Hansen, Park City, Utah
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Peach Wine Coolers

The fantastic flavors of honey, wine and brandy come through to make a special drink for Easter brunch. It's like sunshine in a glass!—Annie Hendricks, Burbank, California
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Rhubarb Lemonade Slush

My family loves rhubarb, and this is such a fun way to enjoy it. It's nice to have in the freezer and bring out when guests drop by. Even people who aren't crazy about rhubarb enjoy it. —Cathie Beard, Philomath, Oregon
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Lemon-Basil Mojito Mocktails

In this twist on the classic summer beverage, lemon and basil take the place of mint. For a grown-up version, just add your favorite rum or vodka. —Cheryl Perry, Hertford, North Carolina
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Sangria Wine

My citrus-spiked wine is always the life of the party, whether I serve it on a hot summer evening or a chilly winter day. The bubbles give it some extra pop. —Colleen Sturma, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Bourbon Slush

This easy, refreshing bourbon slush recipe takes care of all your cocktail needs come barbecue season. It's one of our favorite make-ahead drinks, and you'll have enough of it for a crowd.
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Summertime Tea

You can’t have a summer gathering around here without this sweet tea to cool you down. It’s wonderful for sipping while basking by the pool. —Angela Lively, Baxter, Tennessee
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Champagne Punch

This bubbly champagne punch combines fruit juices, sparkling and sweet wine, and fruit. The pretty ice ring is a flavorful way of keeping the punch cold throughout the festivities.
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Orange Dream Mimosas

Your inner child will love this fun riff on the classic mimosa. Use sparkling cider, ginger ale or sparkling grape juice for a nonalcoholic version. —Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri
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Spiced White Sangria

I've been making this recipe for more than 20 years. My husband and I are in the wine and spirits business and we served it at one of our first dinner parties after we were married. It's a refreshing change from traditional red sangria. —Ellen Folkman, Crystal Beach, Florida
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Coquito

Our coquito recipe is a creamy cocktail that’s rich with warming spices. Some call it Puerto Rican coconut eggnog, and it’s incredibly delicious. It’s the perfect big-batch cocktail for a holiday party.
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Irish Creme Drink

We top off holiday celebrations with this creamy beverage. With sweetened condensed milk and ice cream, it's like a liquid dessert!—Fred Schneider, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
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Apple Brandy

I spend a lot of time developing recipes for the many fruits and vegetables we grow on our farm. In this creation, apple brandy is enhanced with spices for a delightful drink.—Deanna Seippel, Lancaster, Wisconsin
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Spring Strawberry Sangria

Wine-infused berries make a lovely addition to this special-occasion drink. I love serving this during the beginning of spring to celebrate the new season. —Gina Quartermaine, Alexandria, Virginia
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Blackberry Beer Cocktail

This refreshing hard lemonade has a mild alcohol flavor; the beer adds just enough fizz to dance on your tongue as you sip. Sorry, adults only! —Ginger Sullivan, Cutler Bay, Florida
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Cranberry Bourbon

The subtle tang of cranberry and the warm winter spices make this bourbon just right for holiday toasts—neat, on the rocks or in a cocktail. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
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Homemade Limoncello

This limoncello recipe makes a drink better than any store-bought version. It's perfect as an after-dinner treat on its own, or whipped up in a cocktail. —Jenni Sharp, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Whiskey-Brandy Slush

It may be cold outside, but we like to serve this icy citrus drink for Christmas get-togethers at our house. It is fantastic for parties and large gatherings, and it keeps well in the freezer. —Joan Shoebottom, Lexington, Michigan
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Chocolate-Caramel Rum Coffee

This decadent drink can stand alone as a final course or as a complement to dessert. Our family loves it for sipping in front of the fireplace. —Joyce Conway, Westerville, Ohio
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Pink Sparkling Wine Punch

A long-standing tradition in our home, this sparkling punch makes spirits bright. Garnished with fresh strawberries and lime, it makes a colorful Christmas cocktail.—Karen Kuebler, Dallas, Texas
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Cranberry-Lime Sangria

Tart, light and fruity, this party-worthy sangria is a hit any time of the year. —Katy Joosten, Little Chute, Wisconsin
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Cranberry-Jalapeno Martini

I describe this cocktail as slightly tart, a little sassy and completely delicious. I make a big batch when I'm hosting a party because it tends to disappear quickly. Garnish with fresh mint and cranberries for an extra-special touch. —Kelli Haetinger, Virginia Beach, Virginia
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Champagne Fruit Punch

Toast the happy couple at your next bridal shower with a fun and fruity drink! It’s the perfect refreshment on a hot day. —Kelly Tran, Salem, Oregon
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Strawberry Mimosa

Elevate your brunch game with this easy strawberry mimosa recipe.
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Mixed Berry Sangria

This is a light, tasty beverage to serve with spoons so everyone can enjoy the fresh berries once the sangria is gone. — Linda Cifuentes, Mahomet, Illinois
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Peach Champagne

I searched high and low for the perfect punch recipe and finally decided to create my own. This sipper is a big hit at parties, especially weddings. In summer I freeze fresh peaches and fresh strawberries; if you don't have fresh fruit, store-bought frozen fruit works just as well. —Linda Hall, Evington, Virginia
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Blackberry Brandy Slush

We wanted a fun twist on a slushy made with tea and fruit juice, so we used blackberry brandy. The deep red color makes it very merry. —Lindsey Spinler, Sobieski, Wisconsin
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Grasshopper Shakes

Minty, chocolaty and cool, this spiked dessert drink makes a wonderful way to toast family and friends at holiday gatherings. A little shaved chocolate on top adds an extra-festive touch. —Marcia Whitney, Gainesville, Florida
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Cranberry-Orange Vodka Slush

Years ago, my mother made a rosy and refreshing party drink I’ve never forgotten. The sparkle comes from fruit juices, vodka and lemon-lime soda. —Melinda Strable, Ankeny, Iowa
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Cranberry Pomegranate Margaritas

I came up with this beverage to serve at holiday celebrations for a festive twist on the traditional margarita. It's light and refreshing, and looks beautiful with sugar crystals on glass rims. —Mindie Hilton, Susanville, California
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Apple Cider Smash

A smash is a fruity and chilled cocktail—very refreshing. It's a great use for those apples you bought from the orchard plus some sparking cider. —Moffat Frazier, New York, New York
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Pineapple Rum Punch

I created this with my favorite Bahamian juices. I got the inspiration for it from other Bahama punches I have sampled. —Pamela Vitti Knowles, Henderson, North Carolina
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Blueberry Thirst Quencher

I first enjoyed this cocktail at a Derby day party and fell in love. With its beautiful color and zesty flavor, it’s a festive surprise for a summer picnic or party.—Peggy Foster, Florence, Kentucky
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Orange-Apricot Mimosa Punch

We make this punch for our annual Christmas brunch, and everyone loves it! I usually triple this recipe for a bigger crowd and garnish the punch with an orange-tangerine ice ring made several days ahead of time. —Kathy McKay, Acworth, Georgia
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Sweet Kahlua Coffee

I have this beverage brewing in my slow cooker at my annual Christmas open house. I set out the whipped cream and grated chocolate in festive dishes so guests can help themselves to as much Kahlua-flavored coffee as they'd like.—Ruth Gruchow, Yorba Linda, California
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Cranberry Mimosa

We love making cranberry mimosas on a slow Saturday morning or during the holidays.
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Cranberry Slushie

I love to try new recipes. When I find one that was especially well liked, I make a copy, put it in a protective sleeve and place it in a binder. The binders contain my best recipes, and this sweet-tart, bright red slush is definitely in a binder.—Sharon Delaney-Chronis, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Apricot Brandy Slush

While spending the summer in New Mexico, we tasted this refreshing golden color tea beverage enhanced with something borrowed from the cocktail world: apricot brandy.—Shirley Miller, Williamsport, PA
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Spiked Pink Lady

Why reserve lemonade and strawberries for the summertime? They’re just as refreshing during the holiday season. Add two more ingredients to create a crowd-pleasing cocktail.
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Tipsy Iced Coffee

My family loves this frozen coffee with Amaretto and whipped cream. Serve it at brunch or as an after-dinner treat.—Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California
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Brandy Slush

Brandy slush is as ubiquitous in Wisconsin as cheese. This frozen drink made with juice concentrates, brandy and tea is perfect for parties and get-togethers any time of year.
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Maple Brandy Punch

Reminiscent of an old-fashioned brandy punch, this smooth, maple-infused beverage will add pizzazz to holiday dinner parties and other festive occasions. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Mint Julep

Our recipe for mint julep features a from-scratch mint syrup and and expert tips for the perfect warm-weather cocktail.
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Mulled Merlot

This mulled wine recipe is sure to warm up your holiday guests! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Sparkling Peach Bellinis

Folks will savor the subtle kiss of peach flavor in this elegant brunch beverage. — Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Spiked Lemonade

Rum gives a tropical addition to this fabulous homemade lemonade. If you have vodka on hand, try that instead of the rum. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin
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Vanilla Bean Fizz

A homemade vanilla bean syrup from our home economists fabulously flavors Champagne. The bubbly beverage is ideal for holidays throughout the year.
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Topsy-Turvy Sangria

I got this recipe from a friend a few years ago. Perfect for relaxed get-togethers. it’s even better if you make it the night before and let the flavors steep. But watch out—it goes down easy. —Tracy Field, Bremerton, Washington