Feast + West

Easy, elegant entertaining: Recipes and tips for cocktails and party food

Home » Holidays » Special Occasions » 15+ Graduation Party Drinks to Raise a Glass to the Grad

15+ Graduation Party Drinks to Raise a Glass to the Grad


This page may contain affiliate links. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

You don’t need a degree to hydrate a crowd. These big-batch punches, sangrias and Jell-O shots are built for a party. Whether you want a drink that matches school colors or a bubbly champagne toast, these graduation party drinks are up to the task. From preschool to PhD, there’s something here for every grad.

A glass of blood orange juice with a slice of orange.

DISCLAIMER

*This post may contain affiliate links, meaning Feast + West may receive commissions for purchases made through those links — at no cost to you. All opinions are our own. Please read our full disclosure for more information.

Your ultimate guide to graduation party drinks

Graduation season is here, and that means it’s time to celebrate — and celebrate big. Whether you’re toasting a high school senior headed off to college or cheering on a college or grad-school student who just crossed the finish line with a hard-earned degree, one thing is certain: the drinks need to be just as special as the moment.

The secret to a stress-free graduation party? Big-batch pitchers you can make ahead, colorful Jello shots that bring the fun and a handful of sophisticated mocktails so every guest feels included in the toast. No one wants to be stuck behind the bar all afternoon — least of all you!

I’ve rounded up my favorite crowd-pleasing drinks for graduation parties, from bubbly champagne cocktails to fruity punches and zero-proof sippers that are anything but boring. Mix up a pitcher or two before guests arrive, set out a pretty drink station and go enjoy the party. You’ve earned it, too. Raise a glass to the grad — cheers!

Planning drinks for another special occasion? I’ve got you covered all year long. Whether you’re sipping at a baby shower, toasting the bride at a wedding shower or bachelorette party, raising a glass at a bachelor party or celebrating at a wedding or birthday party, there’s a drink list for every milestone.

Quick tips for hosting 

  • Make as much as you can ahead. Always make any simple syrup your recipe needs, squeeze any fresh juices and mix all ingredients beforehand, then chill until party time.
  • Hold off on any bubbly ingredients (champagne, club soda, ginger beer, etc.) until the party starts. It’ll stay bubbly for a few hours.
  • Don’t skip on the non-alcoholic options. Be sure to have a mocktail option like agua fresco, limeade, soda or strawberry water for anyone who prefers not to drink.

The best graduation party drinks 

Have fun picking a drink for your graduation party. Whether you go with something that can be customized in school colors like jello shots or something bubbly and celebratory or a non-alcoholic punch, there is something here for every graduate.

Would you like to save this?

We'll email a link to you, so you can come back to it later! Plus you'll get great new recipes each week!

1
colorful jello shots on marble
Jello Shots
A tray of colorful Jello shots always gets the party started. Whip up a big batch ahead of time and customize the flavors and colors to match your grad's school colors — it's a fun, festive touch that guests of all ages (21+, of course!) will love.
GET THE RECIPE
2
two glasses of margarita sangria next to a pitcher of the same
Margarita Sangria
This pitcher drink is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for a sunny backyard graduation party. Margarita Sangria combines the refreshing, citrusy bite of a classic margarita with the easy, make-ahead nature of white wine sangria — and it easily serves a crowd without any last-minute fuss.
GET THE RECIPE
3
A glass of red sangria with ice cubes, sliced apples, oranges, and a mint leaf. A pitcher of sangria is in the background.
Virgin Sangria
This is a step up from your basic non-alcoholic fruit punch — way up. A cinnamon vanilla simple syrup gives it real depth and sophistication, so younger guests and non-drinkers have something truly special to sip while everyone raises a glass to the grad.
GET THE RECIPE
4
Four labeled pump bottles of coffee syrup—cinnamon, brown sugar, simple syrup, and mocha—are neatly arranged on a white tray against a tiled background, perfect for creating the ultimate coffee experience at your home Coffee Bar.
Coffee Bar
Setting up a simple coffee bar is the ultimate finishing touch for a graduation party, especially those in the morning or during the day. Guests can help themselves to a custom cup while you focus on celebrating. A well-stocked setup makes entertaining so much easier, and the printable included means you can pull it all together without the stress.
GET THE RECIPE
5
Two glasses filled with a red sparkling drink, partially obstructed by a gold ombre base, next to fresh strawberries and a metal jigger.
Strawberry Mimosa
Sparkling and rosy, these strawberry mimosas are perfect for a daytime graduation brunch. Set them up as a DIY mimosa bar with fresh strawberry purée and a chilled bottle of bubbly, and let guests pour their own — it's a festive, low-effort touch that makes the celebration feel extra special.
GET THE RECIPE
6
a yellow parasol on top of a blue fish bowl drink
Fish Bowl Drinks
This bright blue party punch is pure fun in a glass — or, well, a fish bowl. Serve it up at a graduation pool party with gummy fish candies floating inside for a playful, tropical vibe that brings serious summer energy to your backyard celebration.
GET THE RECIPE
7
Two champagne margaritas sit on a gold tray along with lime wedges and a champagne cork.
Champagne Margarita
For a milestone this big, you probably want to pull out all the stops — and this cocktail delivers. It takes the classic tequila-and-lime combo and gives it a fancy upgrade with sparkling wine, making it the perfect celebratory sipper to raise in honor of your grad.
GET THE RECIPE
8
a mimosa bar for a party
Easy Mimosa Bar
A mimosa bar is one of the easiest, most crowd-pleasing setups you can pull off at a graduation party — and the best part is that guests do all the work for you. Stock it with a few different juices, some fun garnishes, and plenty of bubbly, then step back and let everyone mix their own perfect pour. It's hands-off hosting at its finest, and it looks absolutely gorgeous on a party table.
GET THE RECIPE
9
A close-up of a bowl containing a fruity beverage with red strawberries, lemon slices, and fresh mint leaves floating on the surface.
Jungle Juice
Jungle Juice is the ultimate big-batch party drink — and this grown-up version is exactly what a graduation celebration calls for. It combines a variety of juices and spirits into one potent, crowd-pleasing punch bowl that practically serves itself, so you can step away from the bar and actually enjoy the party. Mix it up ahead of time and let guests help themselves all afternoon long.
GET THE RECIPE
10
Four colorful drinks in clear plastic pouches with straws, featuring orange, yellow, and pink beverages, some with fruit and herbs inside.
Cocktail Pouches
Remember juice pouches from childhood? These DIY cocktail pouches take that same grab-and-go fun and give it a very grown-up upgrade. Just fill, seal and let guests help themselves while you actually enjoy the celebration. They're incredibly simple to make ahead in big batches and perfect for college graduations and adult parties. You can fill them with non-alcoholic drinks like lemonade or punch too — just differentiate them with a sticker or label and keep them in a separate container.
GET THE RECIPE
11
A red iced drink garnished with a lemon slice, mint sprig, and blackberry, served in a wavy glass on a wooden coaster.
Blackberry Lemonade
This Blackberry Lemonade is the kind of drink that looks stunning on a party table without requiring much effort at all — that deep, jewel-toned purple color is practically a centerpiece on its own. The secret is a fresh blackberry syrup that gives it a sweet-tart punch and a gorgeous hue that's anything but ordinary lemonade. Serve it in a big pitcher or set it up as a self-serve station, and watch it disappear.
GET THE RECIPE
12
two arnold palmers and a cutting board with lemons
Arnold Palmer Drink (Iced Tea Lemonade)
Don't let anyone fool you into thinking an Arnold Palmer is just half iced tea and half lemonade — the right ratio is absolutely key, and this Iced Tea Lemonade recipe nails it. It's the kind of classic, crowd-pleasing sipper that keeps a pitcher on the drink table all afternoon without a single complaint. Once you've got the base down, there are plenty of fun variations to try, too.
GET THE RECIPE
13
A glass of ice water with cucumber slices and mint on a wooden coaster, with a pitcher of water containing cucumber and lime slices in the background.
Cucumber Water
Cucumber Water is the ultimate refresher for a warm-weather graduation party, and it couldn't be simpler to pull together. This easy infusion is naturally hydrating and endlessly elegant — exactly the kind of zero-proof option that feels intentional rather than like an afterthought. Set out a big pitcher at your drink station and watch it disappear.
GET THE RECIPE
14
A cocktail with orange slices and rosemary sprigs.
Prosecco Punch
This Prosecco Punch is the kind of showstopper drink that makes a graduation party feel truly celebratory — bubbly, bright, and loaded with tart citrus juice for that perfect sweet-and-zingy balance. It's easy enough to pull together ahead of time, so you can have a gorgeous punch bowl ready and waiting when guests arrive. The sparkling prosecco base makes every glass feel like a toast.
GET THE RECIPE
15
Several large plastic syringes filled with red liquid are arranged on a bed of ice with slices of lemon visible nearby.
Bloody Mary Shot Syringes
These Bloody Mary Shots are a clever nod to the newly minted medical professional in your life. Filled with Bloody Mary mix and vodka and served in food-safe syringes, they're equal parts savory, unexpected and seriously fun. Make a big batch ahead of time and watch them disappear from the drink table fast.
GET THE RECIPE

About Susannah

Susannah Brinkley Henry is the founder of Feast + West, a cocktail blog featuring creative, budget-friendly drinks and hosting ideas. A graphic designer with bartending school training, she shares cocktails, mocktails, appetizers and desserts for easy, stylish entertaining. Her work has been featured by Southern Living, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post and Mashable, and she was a finalist in the Saveur Blog Awards. Susannah is also a publisher on MSN and has appeared on local news segments sharing seasonal drinks. She lives in Charlotte, N.C., where she brings Southern charm and global inspiration to every pour. Read more.

decorative icon of a beer stein.

The Golden Ratio Guide:

Mix the perfect cocktail, every time

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Top Cocktails

As Seen On

Brit+Co
BuzzFeed
CountryLiving
delish
Good Housekeeping
Huffington Post
Food & Wine
Oprah Daily
Pioneer Woman
Saveur
Southern Living
A solid dark teal rectangle with no discernible features or details.

Sharing is Caring

Help spread the word. You're awesome for doing it!