![Bushels and Barrels](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.foodandwine.com/thmb/EngcBZfVrvDXKXFX40utH6Bx67I=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Bushels-and-Barrels-FT-RECIPE1123-79c44c75e9294eca99e4edbda28d2824.jpg)
Frederick Hardy II / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Risha Carnes
If you’ve ever worked in restaurants, bars, or coffee shops, or even so much as hosted a dinner party, there’s a good chance you know what it feels like to be in the weeds in the kitchen. During peak pressure points, when drink tickets pile up and chaos is everywhere, professional bartenders turn toward cocktails premade in large batches, which can be poured in seconds for dozens of customers. “Batched cocktails take the guesswork out of serving drinks,” says Kaitlyn Stewart, who was named the World Class Global Bartender of the Year in 2017 and who shares her tips and recipes on Instagram @likeablecocktails. “You get consistency from the first drink to the last, and ultimately, you get the drink in the guest’s hand more quickly.” While not every aspect of professional bartending translates well to home entertaining (I am not hand-carving ice at home, sorry!), batching cocktails ahead of time makes parties a cinch. Here are some of our favorite make ahead holiday cocktails.
Spiked and Spiced
![Spiked & Spiced](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/_VLeI6r2zJ25RX9JzDdVgovASmM=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Spiked-and-Spiced-FT-RECIPE1123-5cb81dccaeba40eab9e07e0b78ed1aa8.jpg)
Frederick Hardy II / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Risha Carnes
Piquant and slightly lemony, ginger tea gives this sweet-and-sour tequila and pomegranate cocktail an underlying soothing, warming spiciness. The crisp, clean flavor of blanco tequila allows the tart pomegranate juice and sweet maple syrup to shine.
Little Lebowski
![The Little Lebowski](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/dNGvs0FyefXQceJDCD2wwpudnV4=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/The-Little-Lebowski-FT-RECIPE1123-d1ceca3c43f249c8808b4d11fba9d0c9.jpg)
Frederick Hardy II / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Risha Carnes
The White Russian, a boozy, caffeinated cocktail made with cream and coffee liqueur, was popularized by the 1998 feature film The Big Lebowski. Stewart’s playful and aptly named Little Lebowski subs in velvety eggnog for heavy cream, giving this holiday-ready cocktail a custard-like richness that’s countered by bittersweet notes of cold brew coffee, coffee liqueur, and amaro.
Tom and Jerry
![Tom and Jerry](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/7HWVkZksqxx3icgZnvOpGzBW4aA=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Tom-and-Jerry-Cocktail-FT-RECIPE1023-cf7a0f3ebc0d475eb6b4f73c86fda3ca.jpg)
Chelsea Kyle / Food Styling by Drew Aichele
Typically made around Christmastime, the Tom and Jerry is a classic Cognac and rum-spiked cocktail that looks and tastes a lot like eggnog and can be batched the night before serving.
Bushels and Barrel
![Bushels and Barrels](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/EngcBZfVrvDXKXFX40utH6Bx67I=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Bushels-and-Barrels-FT-RECIPE1123-79c44c75e9294eca99e4edbda28d2824.jpg)
Frederick Hardy II / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Risha Carnes
The combination of tangy apple cider, sweet apple brandy, and cinnamon syrup creates a warming, autumnal bourbon cocktail that has the aroma of fresh apple pie.
High and Dry
![High & Dry](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/zjv5sGi6GFud235Aafn82J5zsFY=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/High-and-Dry-XL-RECIPE1123-b840fdcb91a547d5add4690cf6520012.jpg)
Frederick Hardy II / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Risha Carnes
Much like a Negroni, this cocktail draws on the citrusy flavors of Campari and the herbaceous notes of gin. Building on the flavors of a classic Negroni, the High and Dry calls for orange blossom water which gives the drink powerful floral citrus flavor with just a few drops.
Datu Datu Martini
![Datu Puti Martini](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/HEclkOU8qscsSnhcu_DKjm_iGcA=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Datu-Datu-Martini-XL-RECIPE1022-2000-237f85d4aeb148f99562255ed2aee11f.jpg)
The strong juniper flavor of London Dry Gin is balanced by the warming spices, gentle fruity sweetness, and acidity of the Datu Puti vinegar in this martini recipe that can be stored in the freezer for up to a month for ready-in-seconds batched cocktails.
Bottled Manhattan
![Bottled Manhattan](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/vCV9WNyjhgD5LPkGtfKPdJwTyT4=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/bottled-manhattan-ft-RECIPE0219-7774e36d09304a97bea8bad1188350c7.jpg)
Pre-mixing batches of this rye-forward Manhattan in bottles means no more stirring drinks at the last minute or fussing with ice and strainers. When your guests arrive, you can spend time being a good host rather than a frazzled bartender.