Cocktails for 2 … or 20

Is having a jolly good time on your holiday wish list? Make that wish come true with this simple entertaining idea. Host a fete that’s both casual and festive by mixing up pitchers of your signature drink and setting out barware so guests can help themselves.

It’s a breeze with our cocktail converter:

If one drink calls for 1/4 oz., use 1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp.

For 1/2 oz., use 1 1/4 cups.

For 3/4 oz., use 1 3/4cups + 2 Tbsp.

For 1 oz., use 2 1/2 cups.

For 1 1/2 oz., use 3 3/4 cups.

For 2 oz., use 5 cups.

For 1 tsp., use 1/4 cup + 3 scant Tbsp.

For a dash, use 2 1/2 tsp.

Our choices for the night: one pitcher of sidecars and another of ruby-hued punch spiked with vodka (for recipes, visit blmag.com). Serve in a martini pitcher, $27, or a juice pitcher, $17, (both, crateandbarrel.com) and deck the bar with strands of $32 gold garland and stacks of striped napkins, $4.50 (both, plumparty.com).