When it comes to entertaining, I prefer to work smarter, not harder! That means prepping plenty of my favorite party snacks ahead of time — like 7 Layer Dip, Pretzel Bites, Stuffed Mushrooms, and more!

I also like to put out a drink dispenser with water, flavored water, or a special beverage for my guests to enjoy!  

I love using a drink dispenser because of the ease, but also because they are pretty! I am sharing my favorite beverage dispensers that are perfect for parties!

My picks come from Williams Sonoma, Amazon, and Target, with this gorgeous glass one as my current favorite!

From stylish enamel to affordable plastic, here are the best beverage dispensers for every type of host.

My Top Picks: 

1. Best Overall Drink Dispenser: Williams Sonoma Glass Beverage Dispenser – $99.95 at Williams Sonoma
2. Best Plastic Drink Dispenser: CreativeWare 2.5-Gallon Bark Beverage Dispenser – $46.75 at Amazon
3. Best Enamel Drink Dispenser: Crow Canyon Home Enamel Beverage Dispenser with Stand – From $140 at Food52
4. Best Dual Drink Dispenser: Buddeez Dual Beverage Dispensers – $76.99 at Amazon
5. Best Budget Drink Dispenser: Threshold Large Beverage Dispenser – $15 at Target

Reviews of The Best Drink Dispensers

1. Best Overall Drink Dispenser: Williams Sonoma Glass Beverage Dispenser

The beauty of this drink dispenser lies in the simplicity of the glass design — it’s chic and works like a charm. Inspired by apothecary bottles, this hand-blown glass dispenser comes with an easy-to-use lid and features a drip-resistant stainless steel spout that’s as BEAUTIFUL as it is effective. 

The stand is sold separately, but for some that might be a good thing because it means you can pick out a stand that perfectly matches your aesthetic.

The Specs:

• Capacity: 1.64 gallons (200 fluid ounces)
• Dimensions: 8″ in diameter, 12 1/4″ tall
• Material(s): Glass, stainless steel
• Care: Hand wash

What I Like:

• Sleek design
• Clear glass means you can easily see when it needs to be refilled
• Will match most spaces
• Simple yet effective lid 

What I Don’t Like:

• Stand sold separately

What Others Are Saying:

The Williams Sonoma Glass Beverage Dispenser was named the best glass drink dispenser by Food & Wine.

Buy the Williams Sonoma Glass Beverage Dispenser: 

2. Best Plastic Drink Dispenser: CreativeWare 2.5-Gallon Bark Beverage Dispenser

If you plan to use your drink dispenser outside or you’ll have kids running around at your gathering, then this plastic water dispenser is a great option. It can hold a whopping 2.5 gallons of liquid, which means fewer refills, while the durable acrylic construction is equipped with a leak-resistant spigot. There’s even a small well under the base that can be filled with ice to keep your drinks extra cold.

The Specs:

• Capacity: 2.5 gallons
• Dimensions: 10.5″L x 10.5″W x 17″H
• Material(s): BPA-free acrylic
• Care: Hand wash

What I Like:

• Large capacity
• Keeps drinks cool
• Easy to clean
• Durable design

What I Don’t Like:

• Spigot may leak over time

What Others Are Saying:

This drink dispenser has a 4.5-star rating on Amazon from more than 9,100 reviews. It was also named the best plastic drink dispenser by Food & Wine.

Buy the CreativeWare 2.5-Gallon Bark Beverage Dispenser: 

3. Best Enamel Drink Dispenser: Crow Canyon Home Enamel Beverage Dispenser with Stand

This enamel beverage dispenser is SUPER cute, functional, and large (it has a 3.75-gallon capacity!), which means it’s perfect for a big backyard blowout. It comes with a steel base, can hold hot or cold beverages, and the dispenser itself features two handles that make it easy to transport. 

While it’s on the pricier side, the enamel design is gorgeous, and it comes in two colorways (blue splatter or white with a blue rim). Bonus: It’s dishwasher-safe, which means clean-up is a breeze!

The Specs:

• Capacity: 3.75 gallons
• Dimensions: 13.5″ D x 17.5″ H (with stand)
• Material(s): Porcelain enamel
• Care: Dishwasher safe

What I Like:

• Large capacity
• Comes with a stand
• Stylish
• Easy to transport
• Can hold hot or cold liquids

What I Don’t Like:

• Enamel may chip over time
• Pricey

Buy the Crow Canyon Home Enamel Beverage Dispenser with Stand: 

4. Best Dual Drink Dispenser: Buddeez Dual Beverage Dispensers

Can’t decide between my Strawberry Limeade or lemon-infused water for your party? These dual drink dispensers will let you have the best of both worlds, whether it’s lemonade and sweet tea or cucumber-mint water and grown-ups-only sangria. The handy design places each drink dispenser on top of the other with separate spigots, allowing you to completely separate your beverages.

The dispensers are also made from BPA-free plastic, which means they’re durable but should still be hand-washed to avoid any damage that a hot dishwasher may cause. 

The Specs:

• Capacity: 2 gallon
• Dimensions: 9″L x 9″W x 14.5″H
• Material(s): BPA-free plastic
• Care: Hand wash

What I Like:

• Ability to serve two different drinks at the same time
• Durable
• Includes stand and chalkboard hang tags 
• Lid can hold cups and garnishes

What I Don’t Like:

• Spigot is relatively high so it may be difficult to pour the last few drinks

What Others Are Saying:

This drink dispenser has a 4.6-star rating on Amazon from more than 1,200 reviews. The Buddeez Dual Beverage Dispensers was also named the best dual drink dispenser by Food & Wine.

Buy the Buddeez Dual Beverage Dispensers: 

5. Best Budget Drink Dispenser: Threshold Large Beverage Dispenser

This budget-friendly drink dispenser looks way more expensive than it actually is thanks to the convincing BPA-free plastic it’s made from. For less than $20, you’ll get an impressive looking drink dispenser that holds 2 gallons, looks like it’s made from high-end glass, and is easy to clean. It doesn’t come with a stand, so you’ll need to source one separately if you’d like.

The Specs:

• Capacity: 2 gallon
• Dimensions: 11 Inches (H) x 8.4 Inches (W)
• Material(s): BPA-free plastic
• Care: Hand wash

What I Like:

• Durable
• Lightweight
• Expensive looking
• Budget-friendly
• Easy to clean

What I Don’t Like:

• Won’t last as long as glass or enamel dispensers
• Spigot may be slow to dispense liquid

Buy the Threshold Large Beverage Dispenser: 

Other Drink Dispensers to Consider

CB2 Sir Glass Beverage Dispenser

This glass drink dispenser is another great option if you’re looking for a sleek design that’ll match any existing home decor. It has a 1.45-gallon capacity but it also doesn’t come with a stand, and it’s already pretty pricey on its own. The Sir Glass Beverage Dispenser is available at CB2 for $169.

Casafina Ceramic & Glass Beverage Dispenser

This drink dispenser is the best of both worlds — a glass container that makes it easy to monitor your drink level and a matching ceramic base and lid that adds sophistication. It holds more than 2.5 gallons, which is plenty of room for ice-cold beverages. However, it’s hand-wash only and should definitely be handled with care considering the glass and ceramic design. This means that it’s not a great candidate for kid- or pet-friendly bashes. The Casafina Ceramic & Glass Beverage Dispenser is available at Food52 for $186.

Crate & Barrel Dax 1.75-Gallon Drink Dispenser with Bash Stand

It’s not the largest drink dispenser on this list, but it does come with a hammered aluminum stand, which is a nice add-on. It just may not be everyone’s favorite look, especially since the dispenser and the stand are both hand wash-only. The Dax 1.75-Gallon Drink Dispenser with Bash Stand is available at Crate & Barrel for $109.90.

Williams Sonoma Glass Stacking Beverage Dispenser

This stacking beverage dispenser is basically the fancier glass version of the plastic one above. Each of the two dispensers holds about .75 gallons, which means they’re the smallest dispensers on this list. The stand is also sold separately, and the dispensers are hand-wash only. The Glass Stacking Beverage Dispenser is available at Williams Sonoma for $129.95.

Why You Can Trust Me

Hi, I’m Maria! As the founder of Two Peas and Their Pod, I develop a lot of recipes for me and my family as well as meals, snacks, and drinks for a crowd. Whether I’m serving Pizza Sliders, Zucchini Fritters, or Peach Tomato Bruschetta, I always make sure I’ve got something delicious for my guests to wash it all down — that’s where the best drink dispensers come in! Drink dispensers are the best way to serve a batched drink, making it a breeze to ensure all your guests are hydrated (and you’re not constantly serving drinks!). 

I’ve personally tried many of the drink dispensers on this list and even included my favorites. To find the rest of my top picks, I read through customer ratings and reviews and considered other trusted food blogs and publications to get a feel for how they stand up to the competition. I also considered factors like material, budget, and capacity. 

Everything to Know Before Buying a Drink Dispenser

What to Consider Before Buying a Drink Dispenser

There are two important things to consider before buying a drink dispenser:

Material: If you plan to use this drink dispenser primarily inside, you might want to consider a glass or ceramic option as they tend to have a more elevated look but will be heavier and less durable (so not great for outside). If you like hosting outdoors, a shatter-resistant material like plastic or enamel drink dispenser will probably be the best fit. Lastly, if you have kids or pets in your space, you may just want to opt for something totally durable altogether in case of any accidents.

Capacity: Most drink dispensers will hold somewhere between 1.5 to 3.5 gallons of liquid. If you tend to host large gatherings, you’ll either want to buy one or two of the largest drink dispensers on this list or a few of the smaller options. If your parties tend to be smaller, you can probably get away with a single drink dispenser of any size — just know that you may have to refill it mid-party regardless of which size you choose.

How Do You Clean a Drink Dispenser Nozzle?

To clean a drink dispenser nozzle, you’ll want to prepare a bowl of hot, soapy water. Remove the nozzle, take it apart if possible, and submerge all parts of the nozzle in the water. Let everything soak for at least 5 minutes. Use hot water to rinse the soapy water off of the nozzle parts. Let everything dry completely before reattaching it to your dispenser.

How Do You Keep a Drink Dispenser Cold?

Some drink dispensers come with built-in ice compartments, which will keep your drink dispenser cold even if it’s warm out. For dispensers without this compartment, you can pre-chill your drink before adding it to your dispenser in order to start off with things extra-cold. And of course, make sure to add plenty of ice when it’s time to serve!

What Can You Put in a Drink Dispenser? 

Most drink dispensers on this list are only compatible with cold drinks. In terms of the sort of cold drinks you can put in a drink dispenser, the possibilities are pretty much endless! Think: kid-friendly drinks like cucumber water, sweet tea, and lemonade or adult-only beverages like sangria, boozy punch, and mojitos. 

Sparkling drinks aren’t ideal for dispensers because the bubbles will likely dissipate quickly. If you’d like to serve your guests something with a little sparkle, you should mix everything but the sparkling component (club soda, other soda, champagne, etc.) in the drink dispenser and serve the sparkling stuff on the side for guests to top their own drink.

How Many Drinks Do You Need for a Party? 

This will ultimately depend on how many guests you have and how thirsty your crowd is, but a good rule of thumb is 2-3 drinks per person for the first hour and 1-2 drinks per hour after that.

The Best Party Drink Recipes

Now that you’ve picked out the perfect drink dispenser, it’s time to mix up a batch of one of my favorite refreshing beverages:

• Watermelon Spritzers
• Strawberry Limeade
• Pomegranate Blueberry Floats

Prices were accurate at time of publication.