Ask your local sports bar: A pitcher is the easiest way to serve a group. And while the vessel is most commonly used for beer, we see no reason why it can’t also hold cocktails.

A pitcher is the perfect size for an intimate late-summer gathering or if you’re bringing a drink to a Labor Day party next weekend. (Depending on the recipe, a pitcherful will satisfy between four and eight people.)

So, should you be in the mood for a classic, follow Liquor.com advisory board member Dale DeGroff’s formula for tasty Margaritas by the Pitcher. And, of course, there’s Sangria: Try our Grand Marnier-spiked White Sangria or the port-based Sandeman Ciderhouse Sangria.

Feel like kicking it even more old-school? Fix the historic Garrick Club Punch, which dates to 1835, and is a bubbly, tart and refreshing gin concoction that’s ideal for sipping outdoors.

We’re fans of some modern pitcher recipes, too, including the sweet-and-sour, Champagne-topped Boat House Punch (pictured above) served by Liquor.com advisory board member Julie Reiner at her Brooklyn establishment, Clover Club.

Another favorite is the Curse Word from Caña Rum Bar in Los Angeles. It’s an adult slushie that calls for a splash of flavorful Belgian beer. We promise it’s just the thing to cool you down. Cheers!