Next Level Batch Cocktails
Bring your batching skills to another level as we highlight the benefits of batching and three ways you can level up your batching game.
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Batching cocktails saves you valuable time during your venue’s busy service hours, but there’s more to it than just making larger quantities of drinks. Done well, batching can really benefit your service and your bar’s bottom line.
UPGRADE YOUR BATCHING SKILLS
For the ultimate how-to guide covering the benefits of batched, on tap and canned cocktails can have for your venue, check out this Masterclass.
Liam Davy, Hawksmoor Bar Manager and Laura Brady, Groovy Fluids Lab Co-Founder explain how batched, canned and on-tap cocktails drive sales and give your bar a unique offering.
Masterclass Chapters:
04:00 - 14:32 - Why Batch Cocktails and the benefits of batching
18:08 - 46:11 - How to Batch Cocktails Demonstration
53:34 - 1:01:01 - How to Stand Out with and Promote your Batched Offering.
Watch Masterclass
DIFFERENT WAYS TO BATCH COCKTAILS
There are lots of different ways to batch cocktails, depending on the number of guests, the size of your bar or the type of cocktail you’re batching.
We looked at basic bottle batching in our Batched Cocktails Made Easy article, so now let's take a deeper dive into other batching techniques, as well as some advanced recipes for you to try.

VESSEL BATCHING
Vessel batching (pitcher, larger dispenser or barrel) is a great option for high volume bars, whether it's a sports bar, event bar (hosting events like weddings, pop-ups or festivals), or any bar where larger crowds are expected. Cocktails are mixed in larger quantities then served on demand, allowing bars to balance speed with presentation and taste. An example of where vessel batching wouldn't work is in an upscale cocktail bar where the guest experience relies heavily on bespoke and/or made-to-order cocktails.
A 1-litre vessel is usually standard for batched serves, but it is possible to customise this depending on your venue and estimated guest numbers. When preparing your batch, start with a single serve size then multiply ingredients according to the expected number of orders in your bar. For example, if your single serve recipe includes 10 ml of rum then size up accordingly, adding 20-25% of the total volume of the batch in water to ensure dilution. After creating the batched cocktail, do taste and adjust where necessary so you can ensure your batched cocktail keeps its flavour.
Batch-made versions of classic cocktails and / or stirred cocktails work best for vessel batching. This includes Negronis, Old-fashioneds, Palomas and Mai Tais.
QUICK TIP: if introducing any citrus ingredients, add them a few hours before serving to retain their fresh flavour.
Here are some popular large batch recipes to try out:

BATCHED PALOMA
1L (5x Serves)
Go big on the tequila trend with this easy batched Paloma recipe and get ahead of those busy shifts.

BATCHED MAI TAI
1L (5x Serves)
For a Tiki little timesaver – try this pre-batched Mai Tai recipe.
SLUSH MACHINES
Slush machines let you serve delicious frozen pre-made serves quickly and efficiently. Frozen cocktails are ideal for warmer months of the year, offering guests something refreshing to cool down with. However, they can also have appeal during colder months, especially if it’s something novel or festive like this Bailey’s Blended recipe.
Similar to vessel batching, slush machines can provide a good option for busier occasions or events in your bar. If you’ve a venue that is high volume, then a slush machine could be a good investment. For smaller venues and those planning to offer frozen cocktails for a less frequent period, then a good commercial blender will work just as well.

3 Quick Steps for Frozen Cocktails
- Add to slush machine: Once you’ve made your chosen cocktail batch, simply add your cocktail to the machine.
- Add ice: Pebble ice is the universal recommendation for frozen drinks. It creates a consistent texture and won’t throw off the ratio of your serves. Add ice last so you’ve control over how much goes in and to avoid a watery mixture.
- Taste & test: Sweetness can disappear in blended and frozen cocktails, so do make sure to taste and test your frozen cocktail before serving. Generally speaking, frozen cocktails should have more sugar than sour ingredients to ensure the flavour follows through.

FROZEN MARGARITA
2 Servings*
- 60 ml Don Julio Blanco
- 20 ml Orange-flavoured Triple Sec Liqueur
- 20 ml Fresh Lime Juice
- 5 ml Simple Syrup
Multiply ingredients accordingly to suit your batched amount.
KEGGED COCKTAILS
A kegged cocktail is a batched method that involves storing a cocktail in a keg. The pressured container helps to keep liquids fresher for longer, allowing the cocktail to be poured from the tap dispenser when needed. It’s an excellent choice for any high-volume cocktail venue looking for great quality, crafted cocktails.
Kegging cocktails can streamline your operation, improve customer experience and provide a more efficient way to both store and serve your cocktails.
While a lot of cocktails can be made on draft, a Paloma (see recipe below), Spritz, Whisky Highball or Moscow Mule are recipes that work particularly well for kegged cocktails.

Paloma Kegged Cocktail
2 Servings*
- 60 ml Don Julio Blanco
- 20 ml Orange-flavoured Triple Sec Liqueur
- 20 ml Fresh Lime Juice
- 5 ml Simple Syrup
Multiply ingredients accordingly to suit your batched amount.
- Add all ingredients to the keg, leaving at least 3 inches of space.
- Keep refrigerated for 24 hours before use.
- Shake every 12 hours.
Watch our Large Format Cocktails 101 for more draft/kegged cocktail recipe ideas.
As well as all the benefits of bottle batching, such as speed of service, consistency and reducing waste, a keg also gives you better control over temperature and exposure to oxygen. This means improved shelf life and even more consistency.
HOW BATCHING IMPROVES CONSISTENCY AND QUALITY
- Batching cocktails will guarantee that every drink has the exact same ingredients, resulting in a consistent taste and presentation for your guests. There is less room for error when individual mixing is taken out of the equation.
- When batching cocktails, ingredients can be measured more accurately but do make sure to use high quality ingredients, so the end product tastes just as good!
- Batching can enhance your cocktail flavour as some cocktails benefit from resting, allowing flavours to develop over time.
HOW BATCHING REDUCES WASTE & COST
You can get more out of your expensive or perishable ingredients when making larger quantities, reducing waste and lowering your bars costs.
Batching also reduces the chance of mistakes. We’re only human, and sometimes during busy shifts mistakes can be made. With batched cocktails, the work is done at a quieter time, and everything can be measured, checked and ready to go on shift
HOW DOES BATCHING IMPROVE EFFICIENCY?
On top of improving quality and consistency, next level batched cocktails should also bring efficiency and savings for your bar. This includes:
Improving inventory: Creating big batch cocktails involves bulk preparation, which ultimately reduces leftover ingredients that would otherwise go to waste. This has two main benefits: less impact on the environment and cost savings.
Creating efficiencies: Batching will improve efficiencies within your team, reducing setup times between tasks and, as a result, get more drinks in hand.
Standardising recipes: Batching allows for precise measurement of ingredients, avoiding varied costs between drinks.
QUICK TIP: Standardise your big batch cocktails recipes so everyone on your bar team uses the same one and guests get a consistent experience.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- In addition to bottle batching, there are other great ways to batch including vessel batching, slush machines and kegged cocktails.
- Batching will improve consistency and quality in your bar as there is less room for error given ingredients can be measured more accurately, and at your leisure.
- Batching reduces cost and waste as more expensive or perishable ingredients can be used efficiently in larger batches.
- Batching will bring efficiencies to your team, reducing setup times and giving staff the opportunity to serve more guests.