With Memorial Day weekend just around the corner and warmer days on the rise, the season of spontaneous picnics, backyard hangs, and beach-bound weekends is officially in session. And what pairs better with sunshine than a well-crafted cocktail—especially one you can mix ahead, pack up, and pour on the go?
Whether you're curating a breezy park picnic or setting up a stylish backyard bar cart, we’ve rounded up our favorite portable cocktails that travel well and taste even better outdoors. Along with make-ahead tips and easy batching tricks, you’ll find the perfect pairings to pour and serve in our glassware—because drinks that look as good as they taste are kind of our thing.
5 Portable Cocktail Recipes to Mix, Pack, and Pour
All of these outdoor bar recipes are easy to batch in a pitcher, chill ahead of time, and serve wherever your summer adventures take you.
1. Strawberry Basil Fizz
Refreshing, fruity, and made for golden hour in the park.
Batch for 4 servings:
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1.5 cups vodka
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1 cup strawberry purée (fresh or frozen + blended)
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½ cup lemon juice
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¼ cup basil simple syrup (equal parts sugar + water, steeped with fresh basil)
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Club soda to top
Prep + Pour: Mix everything except soda in a pitcher. Store chilled. Pour into a glass tumbler with bamboo lid and straw, then top with club soda and a sprig of basil when ready to serve.
2. Spiked Lavender Lemonade
Floral, tart, and sunshine-ready.
Batch for 4 servings:
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1.5 cups gin
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1 cup lemon juice
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¾ cup lavender syrup
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1.5 cups cold water
Prep + Pour: Mix in a pitcher and chill. Serve in a stainless steel tumbler for long-lasting cold, or pour into a stemless wine tumbler for an elevated park or patio moment. Garnish with lemon wheels or edible flowers.
3. Cucumber Mint Cooler
Hydrating, herby, and sneakily strong.
Batch for 4 servings:
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1.5 cups white rum or gin
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1 cup cucumber juice (blend and strain cucumbers)
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½ cup lime juice
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¼ cup mint syrup
Prep + Pour: Mix in a pitcher, chill, and pour over ice into a glass tumbler with straw. Add mint leaves and a cucumber slice for that fresh finish.
4. Whiskey Peach Iced Tea
Southern-style and sweet with a kick.
Batch for 4 servings:
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1.5 cups bourbon
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2 cups black tea, chilled
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1 cup peach nectar
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2 tbsp lemon juice
Prep + Pour: Combine and chill in a pitcher. Serve in a double wall mug or stemless wine tumbler—they're great for sipping something slow and spirit-forward on a back deck or tailgate.
5. Mango Chili Margarita
Sweet heat, made to go bold.
Batch for 4 servings:
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1.5 cups tequila
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1 cup mango purée
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½ cup lime juice
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¼ cup agave syrup
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Optional: muddled jalapeño or chili powder
Prep + Pour: Mix and chill in a pitcher. Pour over ice into a glass tumbler with a bamboo lid, and sprinkle with Tajín. Add in a lime wedge and prepare to impress.
The Joy of an Outdoor Bar
The key to a stylish outdoor setup? The right tools—and the right drinkware. Here’s what to pack:
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Stainless steel tumblers: Keeps drinks cold for hours, lids keep spills away.
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Glass tumblers with bamboo lids + straws: Great for on-the-go sipping and gorgeous for serving.
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Pitchers with lids: Ideal for batching, chilling, and pouring with ease.
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Stemless wine tumblers (stainless steel!) and double wall mugs: Durable, drink-anything vessels perfect for any setting.
These aren't just picnic supplies—they’re reusables that elevate every summer outing.
Tips for Taking Your Bar Outside
A few simple swaps can turn any drink into a travel-friendly pour:
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Reach for reusable drinkware: Our stainless tumblers keep cocktails cold for hours (and some come with flip straw lids for easy sipping). For smaller pours, stemless wine tumblers or glass tumblers with bamboo lids and straws are picnic-perfect.
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Batch ahead in pitchers: Mix full cocktail recipes in a lidded glass pitcher before you head out. It makes pouring easier—and less messy—once you’re outside.
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Keep garnishes chilled: Pre-slice your lemons, limes, and herbs, and pack them in a sealed container you can pop in a cooler or insulated tote.
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Use your “coffee” mug creatively: Our double wall mugs aren’t just for hot drinks—they’re great for chilled cocktails, too, especially if you like sipping something slowly in the shade.
Sips Worth Packing All Summer
From low-key lawn hangs to long weekends at the beach, these portable cocktails are designed to go wherever you do—and make it feel like a mini escape every time you pour.
Just mix your favorite batch, grab your JoyJolt drinkware, and raise a glass to summer that’s stylish, spontaneous, and best enjoyed outdoors.
