Get the party started with these fruity alcoholic cocktails, and their alcohol-free versions – both perfect to serve in jugs, carafes and bottles
Drop the brandy and swap wine for sparkling white grape juice.
Swap the vodka and replace with more of the cranberry juice.
Prep and cook 20 mins (+ refrigeration time) | Makes 1.5 litres (6 cups)
Stir 4 strips orange rind, 1 cinnamon stick, 2 star anise, 8 cloves, ¼ cup caster sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves. Simmer for 5 mins or until thickened slightly. Transfer to a heatproof jug; cover. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until cold. Strain mixture into a large jug. Add ⅓ cup brandy, 2 sliced white nectarines, 2 cups chilled sparkling mineral water and 750 ml bottle-chilled sparkling white wine (or moscato for a sweeter version). Top with fresh lemon balm or mint leaves.
Prep time 15 mins (+ refrigeration time) | Makes 1.5 litres (6 cups)
Combine 750 ml chilled ginger beer, 1 cup vodka and 2 cups cranberry juice in a large jug. Squeeze 3 limes to make ¼ cup juice. Stir the juice into jug. Serve topped with 1 cup ice cubes, fresh raspberries, mint sprigs and thinly sliced pear.
Swap the wine for sparkling nonalcoholic wine.
Drop the vodka and use sparkling apple juice instead.
Prep 10 mins | Makes 1.75 litres (7 cups)
Slowly pour two 750 ml bottles chilled sparkling dry white wine into a large serving jug. Add 1 cup elderflower cordial and 2 teaspoons angostura bitters; stir to combine. Serve with twists of orange rind and 1 cup crushed ice.
TIP: Get angostura bitters from liquor stores and elderflower cordial from supermarkets.
Prep and cook 20 mins (+ refrigeration time) | Makes 2.25 litres (9 cups)
Stir ⅓ cup apple vodka (or vodka), ¾ cup caster sugar, 2 cups water, 1 cinnamon stick and 3 sprigs of fresh lemon thyme in a medium saucepan over medium heat, without boiling, until sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil; simmer for 10 mins. Cool; refrigerate until cold. Pour chilled syrup and 1 cup apple vodka (or vodka) into a large jug. Add 1 thinly sliced green apple, two 750 ml bottles chilled sparkling apple cider, 3 cups crushed ice and extra lemon thyme sprigs. Stir to combine.
