Hosting a BBQ with the fam? Having mates round to watch the Barbie movie trailer on repeat? An easy-breezy jug of booze is just what you need. Whether you're entertaining or ya just can't be arsed to keep hauling ass to the kitchen for a top-up - bigger is always better. 

Watermelon Smash

This baby has it all. Refreshing watermelon, spiked with tequila and added bubbly Prosecco. Chuck in the citrus zing of lime and a smack of mint and voila - Baja Mexican vibes in your glass. You just need a blender to whip up that watermelon and you're good to go. 

Ingredients:

• 200ml blanco tequila
• ½ large watermelon
• 3 limes
• 500ml Prosecco or sparkling wine
• 8 sprigs of mint 
• Ice

Garnish: Lime and mint

Method: Hollow out the flesh from your watermelon and bang it in a blender until it's pureed. If you've got a fine-mesh sieve then use this too for extra smoothness. Add this watermelon juice to your jug along with the lime juice, tequila, Prosecco, mint and ice. Garnish with slices of lime and a few extra mint leaves and boom - it's party time. 

^{Image & recipe: www.sprinkleofgreen.com via Pinterest}

Coco-Loco Rum Punch

Want a taste of the tropics? Sure ya do, and this is one of the easiest ways to get it. Either buy a bottle of a new-wave coconut rum (we're fans of Aluna) or dust off that Malibu you've got in the back of your cupboard. Island living has arrived! 

Ingredients:

• 150ml coconut rum
• 100ml coconut cream (about 1/4 can)
• 50ml lemon juice
• 100ml pineapple juice
• 100ml coconut water
• A handful of strawberries, pureed 
• Ice

Garnish: Strawberry and orange slices

Method: This recipe is as laid-back as spending the morning chilling in a hammock. Just whack all the ingredients into a large jug and stir well. Garnish with strawberries, a slice of orange and, if you can find any, some of those mini umbrellas. Nothing left to do but kick back, drink and imagine you're in the Caribbean. 

^{Image source: Pinterest}

Spiced Apple Spring Fling

Let's face facts - spring isn't always the warm, sunny season we want it to be. For those times, here's a cocktail with a little more spice to it that can be enjoyed whatever the weather.  

Ingredients:

• 250ml bourbon
• 500ml apple juice
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 320ml sparkling water 

Garnish: Thyme leaves and orange peel

Method: For extra warming flavour, leave the cinnamon sticks in the bourbon overnight to infuse. Then just add your cinnamon-spiced bourbon to a jug, add the ice, apple juice and water, then garnish. Want it a bit sweeter? Chuck some honey in there! This is your rodeo...

^{Image sourced joyfulhealthyeats.com via Pinterest}

Rosé Summer Spritz 

The arrival of warm days and long evenings means the arrival of rosé season. It's basically the official sponsor of summer, and this pitcher of pale pink fizz is the ultimate alfresco refresher. And it has an equally delicious non-alc alternative if you're off the sauce but still craving that summer hit.

Ingredients:

• 75cl bottle of mega pale rosé (one from Provence is best)
• 3 tbsp agave nectar
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 2 limes, sliced
• 10 sprigs mint
• large handful ice
• 500ml sparkling water

Method: Pour the rosé and agave into a large jug. Squeeze the lemon and lime slices over then drop them in, with the mint. Stir to combine, then add the ice and sparkling water. Serve in glasses. You can turn this into a mocktail by using cranberry juice instead of rosé if that's more your vibe.

^{Image source: Real Food Tesco}

Spiked Green Juice

Trying to up your intake of fruit and veg? This mix will give you all the nutrients you're craving, with an extra big slug of vitamin v for vodka, baby. 

Ingredients:

• 16 slices cucumber (peel on), plus some peeled into ribbons (this'll look mega fancy in your jug)
• 8 fresh mint sprigs, leaves only, plus extra sprigs to garnish
• 150ml vodka (The Ketal One Botanical Cucumber & Mint works a dream)
• 50ml peach schnapps
• 1 lime, juiced
• 800ml apple juice, chilled

Garnish: A few sprigs of mint, cucumber ribbons and peach slices

Method: Put the cucumber slices and mint leaves in large jug with a splash of the vodka and muddle together with a cocktail muddled (or the end of a rolling pin or an old wine bottle) til the mint is thoroughly bruised and the cucumber has broken down. Stir in the remaining vodka and the peach schnapps. Add the lime and apple juice, stir to combine, then strain into your pitcher. Serve over crushed ice.

^{Image source: Real Food Tesco}

Floral Berry Fizz

We're cranking things up and taking Gin n' Juice to another level. 

Ingredients:

• 200g blackberries, plus extra to serve
• 1 lime, cut into wedges, plus extra to serve
• 200ml dry gin
• Ice cubes

Garnish: Blackberries, lime wedges and apple slices

Method: Put the blackberries and lime wedges into a small jug and muddle together with the end of a rolling pin or wooden spoon. Add the gin and stir well. Half fill a large jug or pitcher with ice cubes. Strain the gin into the pitcher, discarding the leftover blackberry seeds and lime peel. This isn't the time for seeds in your teeth. Top up the pitcher with the apple and elderflower pressé and garnish.

^{Image source: Real Food Tesco}