Noah Vinter
Planning a party can be stressful, especially when it comes to figuring out how much alcohol to buy. The amount of alcohol you need depends on the number of guests, the duration of the party, and the type of event. As a rule of thumb, plan for one drink per guest per hour, with two drinks per guest for the first hour. This means for a 4-hour party with 50 guests, you'll need approximately 200 drinks, including beer, wine, and cocktails. If you're serving wine, a 750 ml bottle typically yields five to six glasses, so plan for one bottle for every two guests. For cocktails, a 750 ml bottle of liquor provides about 16 drinks when using 1.5 ounces of liquor per drink. Don't forget to offer non-alcoholic options as well, such as water, juices, and soft drinks, and always round up your calculations to ensure you have enough drinks for your guests.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of drinks | One drink per guest per hour of the event |
| Type of party | A party with lots of drinking expected or less |
| Type of drinks | Wine, beer, cocktails, champagne, spirits, non-alcoholic beverages |
| Number of guests | The number of guests is the primary determining factor |
| Variety of drinks | A limited alcohol selection simplifies planning |
| Guest preferences | Know your guests, whether they prefer beer over cocktails or are heavy drinkers |
| Duration of party | Two drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per hour thereafter |
| Signature cocktails | Having a signature cocktail simplifies planning |
| Glassware | Consider disposable wine glasses for outdoor parties |
| Non-alcoholic drinks | Assume guests will drink two servings in the first hour and one for each additional hour |
| Wine | One 750ml bottle provides five to six glasses; plan for one bottle for every two guests |
| Beer | Guests will drink about 12 ounces (one bottle) every half hour to one hour |
| Cocktails | Allow 1.5 ounces of liquor for each drink; a 750ml bottle makes about 16-17 drinks |
| Champagne | One bottle for every 6-8 guests |
| Ice | Half a pound of ice per mixed drink or a cup of ice per drink |
| Return policy | Ask your retailer if you can return unopened bottles |
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What You'll Learn
How much alcohol to buy depends on the type of party
The amount of alcohol purchased for a party depends on several factors, including the number of guests, the duration of the party, and the type of party.
For example, a bachelorette party or a night with buddies will likely involve more drinking than a lunch with relatives. Similarly, an all-night party will require more alcohol than an open house where guests can come and go. If it's a cocktail party, you'll go through more cocktails than if you're hosting a dinner party.
If you're serving wine, a bottle typically provides five to six glasses, but this can vary depending on the pour. During a party, plan for one bottle for every two guests. If you're serving champagne for a toast, you'll need one bottle for every eight guests, providing about half a glass for each guest.
For beer, estimate that guests will consume about 12 ounces (one bottle) every half hour to an hour. For cocktails, allow one and a half to two ounces of liquor per drink. A 750ml bottle typically makes about 16 drinks with a heavy pour or 17 with a lighter pour.
To simplify planning and reduce waste, consider limiting the alcohol selection or creating a signature cocktail. It's also essential to provide non-alcoholic options and plenty of water for guests.
Online drink calculators can be helpful in determining how much alcohol to buy, taking into account factors such as the number of guests, the duration of the party, and the types of drinks served. These calculators can provide specific recommendations for wine, beer, and liquor quantities.
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Plan for one drink per guest per hour
When planning a party, it's important to ensure you have enough drinks to keep your guests happy. A good rule of thumb is to plan for one drink per guest per hour. This means that for a four-hour party with 50 guests, you will need approximately 200 drinks: 80 beers, 72 glasses of wine (15 bottles), and enough for 48 individual cocktails. If you're not serving wine, plan on making 120 cocktails instead.
For a larger party of 100 guests, you will need approximately 400 drinks: 160 beers, 144 glasses of wine (29 bottles), and enough liqueur for 96 individual cocktails. Again, if wine is not on the menu, you will need to plan for 240 cocktails.
The type of party you are hosting will also impact how much alcohol you will need. A cocktail party, for example, will require more cocktails than a dinner party. If it's an all-night party, you will likely need more alcohol than for an open house where guests come and go.
When it comes to wine, a standard 750ml bottle will provide approximately five to six glasses, depending on your pour. If you are serving champagne for a toast, one bottle will be enough for eight guests to have a half glass each. For a full toast, you will need one bottle for every six guests.
For hard liquor, a 750ml bottle will provide approximately 16 to 17 drinks, depending on the recipe and the pour. A safe estimate is to allow for one and a half ounces of liquor per drink. Don't forget to stock up on mixers, ice, garnishes, glasses, and napkins as well!
If you are unsure about your guests' preferences, it is better to purchase a variety of drinks with some extra. Most retailers will allow you to return unopened bottles, and any leftovers can be enjoyed later or gifted.
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Round up when calculating bottles/servings
When planning a party, it's always a good idea to round up when calculating the number of bottles or servings you'll need. This is especially important if you're offering a variety of drinks, as you don't want to run out of any one option too early in the night. It's better to have a few extra bottles left over than to find yourself running out of drinks halfway through the party.
The number of bottles you'll need will depend on the type of alcohol you're serving. For wine, a standard 750 ml bottle typically serves about five to six glasses, but this can vary depending on the pour. If you're serving a wine-focused event, like a wine and cheese party or a wine tasting, you'll likely need more bottles than if wine is just one option among many. In any case, it's a good idea to round up to the next case when buying wine, as any unopened bottles can be saved for future hostess gifts or enjoyed later.
For hard liquor, the calculation will depend on the type of drinks you're serving and the number of guests who will be drinking them. A 750 ml bottle of liquor will yield approximately 16 to 17 drinks when using 1.5 ounces of liquor per drink, but this can vary depending on the recipe and the pouring habits of your guests. Again, rounding up to the nearest integer will make shopping easier and ensure you have enough drinks for your guests.
When it comes to beer, a traditional single-serve bottle or can is typically 12 ounces, but this can change depending on the alcohol content. If you're serving a large group or expect your guests to drink multiple beers each, it may be more convenient to opt for a keg, which typically contains 165 12-ounce servings. However, if you prefer bottled beer, rounding up to the nearest integer will ensure you have enough for your guests.
In addition to the type of alcohol, the duration of your party and the drinking habits of your guests will also impact the number of bottles you need. As a general rule, you can expect your guests to drink about two drinks in the first hour and one drink per hour thereafter. However, this may vary depending on the type of party and the crowd, so it's always a good idea to round up your calculations and have extra drinks on hand.
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Account for guests' preferences
When planning a party, it is important to account for your guests' preferences. Knowing your guests' preferences for soft drinks, beer, wine, and alcohol will help you calculate your needs. If you are unsure about people's preferences, it is recommended to purchase a variety of drinks with some left over. Most guests will find a satisfying option, and a limited alcohol selection simplifies planning and allows you to match the beverage options to your menu.
For example, you may want to include sparkling wine for a special celebration or focus on specialty beer choices for guests with sophisticated palates. You can also ask your guests if they would like to bring a bottle of wine or an interesting spirit. Usually, most people, when invited to a dinner or cocktail party, will ask if they can bring something, and you can suggest a type of wine or spirit that would suit the menu.
If you plan to offer a full bar, check that you have the necessary tools and appropriate glassware. You will also need additional items like ice, garnishes, glasses, and napkins. It is a good idea to review your inventory to avoid skimping on party favorites or duplicating purchases (a small bottle of bitters or vermouth goes a long way).
In addition to the above, if you're making a signature cocktail or know your guests' favorite drinks, add the appropriate ingredients to your shopping list.
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Don't forget ice and mixers
When planning a party, it's easy to get caught up in the guest list, food, and drinks and forget about the small but essential details, like ice and mixers. But these are crucial to ensuring your party goes off without a hitch.
Ice
The amount of ice you'll need depends on the type of event you're hosting. For instance, outdoor events or those where you plan to use ice to chill food and drinks will require more ice than an event where ice is only needed in drinks. As a general rule, a 2:1 ice-to-contents ratio is recommended for coolers. To be safe, consider purchasing at least two 7-pound bags of ice. You can also use an ice calculator to determine the exact amount of ice needed based on the type of party and the size of your cooler.
Mixers
The amount of mixers you'll need depends on the types of cocktails you plan to serve and the number of guests. A quart of mixer is typically enough for every three guests. If you're making a signature cocktail, add the appropriate mixers to your shopping list.
For mixed drinks, a 750ml bottle of liquor will make about 16 drinks, and you'll need about 4-6 ounces of mixer per drink. For accent juices, like lemon and lime, a little goes a long way—you'll only need about 1/4 to 1/2 ounce per drink.
If you're serving a variety of cocktails, be sure to stock any specialty liqueurs required. Some essential liqueurs to have on hand include amaretto, coffee, Irish cream, and an orange liqueur like triple sec. You can also add other liqueurs like cherry, chocolate, ginger, melon, mint, nut, and raspberry.
Don't forget to account for guests who prefer non-alcoholic beverages. Overestimate the amount of soda you'll need to accommodate those who want to drink it without alcohol. You can skip the sour mix if you have plenty of lemon and lime juices available, but you may want extra simple syrup.
Finally, always buy a little more than you think you'll need. Most retailers will allow you to return unopened bottles, and any leftover alcohol can be enjoyed long after the party is over.
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Frequently asked questions
This depends on the number of guests, the duration of the party, and the type of alcohol being served. A good rule of thumb is to expect one alcoholic beverage per guest per hour. For a 4-hour party with 50 guests, you will need approximately 200 drinks, including 80 beers, 72 glasses of wine (15 bottles), and 48 individual cocktails. Adjust the quantities accordingly based on the expected number of guests and the duration of your party.
A standard 750ml bottle of wine serves approximately 5-6 glasses, depending on the pour. To calculate the number of bottles needed, divide the number of wine drinkers by 2.15 and then divide that number by 2. Round up to the nearest integer to ensure you have enough wine.
A 750ml bottle of liquor provides approximately 16-17 servings when using 1.5 ounces per drink. If you know the number of guests who will be drinking liquor, you can estimate the number of bottles needed by dividing the total number of drinks by the number of servings per bottle.
In addition to the type and quantity of alcohol, don't forget to stock up on mixers, ice, garnishes, glassware, and non-alcoholic beverages like water. The type of party and your guests' preferences will also impact the amount of alcohol consumed, so consider the occasion and your audience when planning.
