Cocktails, the libationary art!

I've always been a fan of giant pitchers of mojito and sangria. Easy to make simple versions, with plenty of room for creative improvements. I usually made double virgin batches, then split them into singles and added booze to one of them.

For mojito pitchers, I recommend muddling only the lime as your first step. Don't muddle the mint in a pitcher, you'll bruise it too much and release too much chlorophyll and make it bitter. Take a bushel of mint, give it a good slap to release the peppermint oil, then toss it in with the ice and sugar, then stir/shake it until the sugar is dissolved. The ice will do the rest of the muddling for you in the pitcher.

For sangria, go fuckin nuts. You can mix all kinds of fruits with all kinds of wine/booze. If I wanted something tart, I'd do dry red wine with a bunch of tart fruit like cranberries and cherries. If I wanted sweeter, I would do berries and stone fruits with a sweeter white. I always add oranges and maybe lemons/limes to ensure there's a decent acid base to contrast the other flavors. If you want a stronger sangria, you can fortify it with a triple sec, schnapps, or a straight up hard liquor (I toss rum in mine, because fuck y'all it's a party).

These are just easy, high volume ideas that take little effort. If you want more ideas, let me know what specifics you're looking for and I'll give more advice. I've managed beverage programs in the hospitality industry for a few decades. I can help you make anything to taste like anything.

I will be making a mulled wine for the majority of people. Then it will be dry whites and whiskeys for everyone else. Kids will get milk and water

If you’re looking for low effort, I’d say to find a couple of cocktails people will generally like and put them into drink dispensers. Black rose is a good choice, and the old fashioned is a classic. If you want variety you can add a margarita, but if you’re doing salted rims then everyone has to be cool with everyone using the same salt plate or go without. Speaking of which, I’d prep the garnishes and leave them out too, making it essentially so everyone is their own bartender. Things like a vodka tonic or vodka cran are also ones you can have people prep for themselves.

I also like to have a regular whiskey like Maker’s or Jameson, plus a bottle or two people haven’t seen before. Whiskeys are the big one for people who take it neat/rocks. Other than that, if there’s a sipping gin like Hendricks or Avation, it’s not a bad choice.

Only other suggestion is think about leaning towards a local distillery if you have one, because it’s especially fun for any out of town guests and even locals might find something new.

Sprite cranberry

I make the Rosemary, Baby punch every year

Found a sangria, will do something like this:

Bobby Flay Pink Sangria

Some years back we served a fall style sangria that went over well. IIRC we made mulled cider, then added white wine, calvados, and sliced apples. I think some cranberries would be a nice touch, too.

I like to make a crock pot of mulled cider and serve cinnamon booze and or rum on the side for folks that want to spike it.