The final breath of summer means hot days and crisp nights, perfect for grilling with friends and enjoying batched BBQ cocktails. As a host you’ll want to serve something fresh, something impressive, and something easy to craft in bulk so you’re not stuck behind the bar during your backyard bash. Make these crowd-pleasing, batch BBQ cocktails a day ahead and allow guests to self-serve from a pitcher or large dispenser with spigot.
Cucumber Watermelon Chiller
Refreshing, juicy, and a team favorite.
- 750 ml Thatcher’s Organic Small Batch Vodka
- 750 ml Thatcher’s Organic Cucumber Liqueur
- 2 L pureed watermelon
- 6 oz lime juice
- Basil sprigs, garnish
Prepare watermelon by pureeing and straining through a fine mesh sieve into a drink dispenser with ice. Add Thatcher’s Organic Small Batch Vodka, Thatcher’s Organic Cucumber Liqueur, and lime juice to taste. Stir until well combined. Pour into serving glasses with ice and garnish with a basil sprig.
Honeysuckle Vodka Lemonade
Includes fresh honeysuckle which creates a “wow” factor.
- 16 oz honeysuckle or honeysuckle and jasmine blossoms
- 750 ml bottle of Thatcher’s Organic Small Batch Vodka
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 16 oz filtered water
- Juice of 2 lemons
To make the infused Thatcher’s Organic Small Batch Vodka:
Pluck honeysuckle blossoms from their stems and discard any leaves or green parts. Swish the flowers gently in cold water and lay out to dry on a clean kitchen towel. Put the flowers in a large wide-mouthed mason jar or other equivalent container. Fill the container with Thatcher’s Organic Small Batch Vodka. Make sure the blossoms are completely covered by the liquid. Cap tightly and keep in a cool dark place for 24 hours or up to 5 days. Give it a shake now and then. Strain the infused vodka through cheesecloth that is at least 4 layers thick. Store in a clean jar, tightly capped. The vodka will keep indefinitely. To make the lemonade, stir the sugar into the water until it is completely dissolved. Add the fresh squeezed lemon juice and stir.
To make each cocktail, fill a glass with ice. Add one shot of honeysuckle-infused vodka. Fill the glass with lemonade and garnish with a slice of lemon and a sprig of honeysuckle.
See the full recipe and instructions here.
For a boozy, floral lemonade that’s a little less time consuming, try our Elderflower Lemonade Premium Canned Cocktail.
Hugo Spritz
An Italian-inspired backyard BBQ featuring this summery, refreshing cocktail.
- 7.5 oz Thatcher’s Organic Elderflower Liqueur
- 750 ml bottle Prosecco
- Soda water to top
- 5 sprigs of mint
- 5 Lemon wheels
Fill a pitcher with plenty of ice. Muddle 5 lime slices and 5 mint leaves. Pour in 7.5 ounces Thatcher’s Organic Elderflower Liqueur. You can make the batch a few hours in advance up to this point. When ready to serve, pour in a bottle of Prosecco and give it a stir. You can add the soda water to the pitcher or top each glass with a splash. Add mint leaves and a lime wheel to each glass when serving.
See the full recipe and instructions here.
Blood Orange Vodka Soda
The simplicity of a traditional vodka soda, but with elderflower and blood orange to fancy it up a bit for a backyard soiree.
- 2 oz Thatcher’s Organic Small Batch Vodka
- 1 oz Thatcher’s Organic Elderflower Liqueur
- 1 oz Thatcher’s Organic Blood Orange Liqueur
- 4 oz club soda
Pour all the ingredients in a tall glass with ice and stir. Garnish with dried blood orange or fresh blood oranges.
See the full recipe and instructions here.
Cucumber Watermelon Punch
A batched punch cocktail recipe that’s also a great packable cocktail.
- 6 oz Thatcher’s Organic Small Batch Vodka
- 2 oz Thatcher’s Organic Cucumber Liqueur
- 4 oz Thatcher’s Organic Elderflower Liqueur
- 6 oz watermelon puree
- 1 liter soda water
Combine Thatcher’s Organic Cucumber Liqueur, Thatcher’s Organic Small Batch Vodka, Thatcher’s Organic Elderflower Liqueur, and watermelon puree in a pitcher or punch bowl. Stir well. Add soda water slowly and carefully stir to avoid bubbling over. Add ice cubes and cucumber slices to the pitcher. Serve.
See the full recipe and instructions here.
Blood Orange Sangria
Sangria is a backyard party staple, and this recipe elevates the traditional drink.
- 16 oz sliced strawberries
- 16 oz apple juice
- 5 oz Thatcher’s Organic Blood Orange Liqueur
- 6 oz sugar
- 4 whole cloves
- 3 seedless blood oranges, each cut into 16 wedges
- 2 750 ml bottles fruity red wine
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 lemon, cut into 8 wedges
- 1 lime, cut into 8 wedges
Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher, and stir until sugar dissolves. Cover and chill 8 hours or overnight. Discard cloves and cinnamon sticks. Pour sangria into individual glasses, including the fruit.
See the full recipe and instructions here.
Don’t have time to batch out BBQ cocktails before the big bash? Grab our canned cocktails from our tasting rooms or in a four-pack at your local retailer. Available in Sparkling Elderflower Lemonade and Blood Orange Spritz, our handcrafted cocktails are gluten free and certified organic.
Find Thatcher’s Organic Artisan Spirits at a store near you. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or join our mailing list to stay up to date with the latest from Thatcher’s. Have your own favorite BBQ cocktails? Share your recipe with us!
