These crowd-pleasers are easy to make in big batches, can be altered for non-alcoholic options and require little to no effort. All you need is sugar syrup! 

Make a sugar syrup: 

Add 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water to a pot over medium heat. Boil for 5 minutes, remove and set aside to cool. For an alcohol-free version, use 1 cup apple juice instead of rum. 

Passionfruit punch 

Serves 10  

Ingredients 

5 cups ice blocks
1/2 cup vodka
1/2 cup sugar syrup
1L passion fruit juice
1/2 cup lime juice
2 tubs (230g each) passion fruit pulp
1 bottle (750ml each) sparkling wine 

Method 

1. In a large punch bowl, combine 5 cups ice blocks with 1/2 cup vodka, 1/2 cup sugar syrup, 1L passion fruit juice, 1/2 cup lime juice, 2 tubs (230g each) passion fruit pulp.
2. Stir together and finish with 1 bottle (750ml each) sparkling wine of your choice.
3. Ladle into cups and enjoy! 

Watermelon margarita slushy 

Serves 10 

Ingredients 

1/2 large watermelon (seeds removed)
1 1/2 cups Blanco tequila
1 cup sugar syrup
5 limes, plus extra for garnish
Coarse sea salt   

Method 

1. Cut the flesh from 1/2 large watermelon (seeds removed) into small cubes, freeze for at least 2 hours.  
2. Place a large jug in the freezer.  
3. Add watermelon to a food processor with 11/2 cups Blanco tequila, 1 cup sugar syrup and juice from 5 limes (Do this in batches if blender is small). Blend until a smooth slushy consistency is reached.  
4. Decant the watermelon slushy into the cold pitcher and serve immediately in glasses garnished with lime slices.
5. Level up by first dipping the rims of your glasses in lime or lemon juice, followed by coarse sea salt. 

Big batch mojitos 

Serves 10 

Ingredients 

1/2 cup sugar syrup
2 punnets (40g) mint leaves 
Juice of 4 limes
5 cups of ice
1 1/4 cups white rum
1.5-2L soda water 

Method 

1. Place 1/2 cup sugar syrup, 2 punnets (40g) mint leaves and juice of 4 limes into a large pitcher or jug.  
2. Use a cocktail muddler or the back end of a wooden spoon to bruise and mix everything together to release the flavours.  
3. Add 5 cups ice, 11/4 cups white rum and 1.5-2L soda water (or as much needed to fill your jug). Use your muddler or spoon to stir together.  
4. Taste and adjust as needed, adding more sugar syrup, lime juice or rum. 

Words: Sjaan van der Ploeg

Photography: Shutterstock, Fresh living Magazine

Also read: 5 Festive cocktails to serve at your New Year bash