Good cocktail to serve at a late lunch, ideally made by the pitcher? Don't want to utterly intoxicate people, but still want to be festive.

Mint Juleps are a great choice, but I think Bellinis made with sparkling Prosecco and pureed new crop peaches/nectarines (by the pitcher-full) would be fantastic for next time!

These are all such great ideas--thanks! ChefJune, I think I am going to go with mint juleps, which I had thought of too (but rejected for fear of their potency, but I will forge ahead anyway). I'll whip up some white sangria, too, for the less liver-hardened. But these other suggestions have me thinking I need to throw another lunch soon. Thanks all!

How about something with lillet? Crisp and light and appetite-stimulating. I think this is originally from Martha Stewart.

4 cups lillet blanc
1 cup gin
1 cup OJ
1 cup loosely packed basil leaves
1/4 cup tonic water
cucumber and orange slices, for garnish
ice cubes

serve in lowball glasses.

Mint Juleps are nice, and they can be served up in a pitcher.

You could do a fruit infused wine cooler. Choose whatever fruit looks great right now. Cut about 2 cups total into a large pitcher. Add a bottle of nice medium body white wine. Let sit in the fridge for at least 2 hours. When ready to serve, fill glass with ice, fill with wine/fruit mixture half way up the glass. Top with seltzer or club soda. Works with any fruit mixture.

Pimms cup! I made it with my family last weekend while playing croquet. It's delicious and so easy, and since you use fresh fruit it's perfect for this time of year. You can buy it at any liquor store. The ratio I use is about 1/4 Pimms to 3/4 bitter lemon soda (or ginger ale, or any mix of these and soda water). Then you add cucumber (a must) and cut up fruit like strawberries, blueberries, apples, and, my personal favorite, ripe peaches. Let it macerate for a while before serving if you have time, but it's also great if you serve it immediately. Add lots of ice. It's a bit sweet but in a fruity, summer way, not cloying, and very refreshing. Enjoy!

I like gt9'a idea, also sangria either white or red is nice and not too strong.

Maybe try this. Easily adapted to the pitcher method.

http://www.food52.com/recipes/12275_fusion_fizz

You could have arnold palmers and spiked arnold palmers...that way if some of your guests don't drink alcohol you are covered.

i don't know why the page wouldn't let me write "cocktail," but that's what it should say above.