Making cocktails for a crowed is always easier when you can do it in a pitcher. It gives you some time to relax with your guests between batches, instead of playing bartender. Whiskey punch feels like old-fashioned (in a good way, because… whiskey!), so I like to pour it from a cute vintage pitcher into a bunch of pretty, mismatched vintage glasses. It makes it so fun to serve to guests, and it fits the theme. This recipe is just a starting point and can easily be adjusted according to your tastes, like substituting a different juice or using lemon-lime soda instead of ginger ale. Whiskey is a great option because it gives it a nice deep flavor, but I recommend using a sweet (not smoky) one for a crowd-pleasing punch.

Makes 1 pitcher

Ingredients

• Ice cubes
• 4 cups cranberry juice
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 1 lemon)
• 2 cups sweet whiskey or bourbon
• 4 cups ginger ale
• Lemon slices

Instructions

Fill a large pitcher half full with ice. Pour the ingredients into the pitcher in the following order: first the cranberry juice, then lemon juice, then whiskey, and finally ginger ale. Do not stir. Add lemon slices to the rim of the pitcher. Stir just before serving within 30 minutes.