When hosting a party, it’s important to plan beverage quantities to ensure you have enough to serve your guests without excess waste. The key is to estimate how much each guest will drink based on the length of the event and the type of drinks you’re offering. Here’s a general guide to help you calculate the right amounts for different types of beverages:

General Beverage Quantity Guidelines

  1. Estimate the number of guests:

    • This is the first step in calculating beverage quantities. For example, if you have 20 guests, you’ll plan for that number and adjust based on the length and type of event.

  2. Plan for 2-3 drinks per guest per hour:

    • For an event lasting 3-4 hours, plan for each guest to consume about 6-12 drinks in total (this depends on whether it’s a casual or formal party, and if the drinks are alcoholic or non-alcoholic).
    • Adjust according to your guest list’s drinking habits.

Alcoholic Beverages

Beer:

  • Standard serving size: One 12 oz beer.
  • How much to buy:
    • Plan for about 1 beer per guest per hour.
    • If you have 20 guests and your party lasts for 4 hours, you’ll need 80 beers.
    • Variety: Consider offering a mix of lagers, IPAs, and light beers. Also, allow for one or two craft or specialty beers to satisfy beer enthusiasts.

Wine:

  • Standard serving size: 5 oz of wine per glass.
  • How much to buy:
    • For a wine-based party or dinner, plan for 1 bottle of wine per 2 guests.
    • A standard bottle of wine is 750 ml, which gives approximately 5 servings.
    • For a party with 20 guests, 10 bottles should be enough.
    • Red, White, or Rosé: Offer a mix, typically with more red wine than white (about 60% red, 40% white).

Spirits (Cocktail Mixing):

  • Standard serving size: 1.5 oz of spirits per cocktail.
  • How much to buy:
    • A 750 ml bottle of liquor gives about 16 servings.
    • If you’re serving cocktails, plan for one bottle of spirits per 5-10 guests (depending on the cocktails you’re serving).
    • Common spirits: Vodka, rum, tequila, gin, and whiskey. If you have multiple cocktail options, buy one bottle per liquor type.

Champagne (for Toasting):

  • Standard serving size: 4 oz per glass.
  • How much to buy:
    • A bottle of champagne (750 ml) will provide 5 servings.
    • For a smaller event, plan for one bottle per 5-6 guests.
    • If the champagne is only for toasts, you may need less. For a group of 20, 3-4 bottles should be enough for toasts.

Mixed Drinks:

  • Standard serving size: 6-8 oz (including mixer).
  • How much to buy:
    • Plan for 3-4 mixed drinks per guest.
    • Depending on your cocktail menu, buy additional bottles of mixers (juices, sodas, tonic water, etc.).
    • Mixers: A bottle of soda or juice typically serves 8-10 cocktails, so plan accordingly.

Non-Alcoholic Beverages

Water:

  • Standard serving size: 8 oz per glass.
  • How much to buy:
    • Plan for 2-3 glasses of water per guest per hour.
    • For a 4-hour event with 20 guests, you’ll need 160-240 oz of water, which is about 1 to 1.5 gallons.
    • Don’t forget to have both bottled water and pitchers with cups or glasses available.

Soft Drinks (Soda, Juice, etc.):

  • Standard serving size: 8 oz per serving.
  • How much to buy:
    • Plan for 1-2 servings per guest per hour.
    • For a party with 20 guests and a 4-hour event, that’s 80-160 oz (roughly 5-10 bottles or cans).
    • Consider offering a variety of sodas (cola, diet soda, sparkling water) and fruit juices (orange, cranberry, etc.).

Coffee/Tea:

  • Standard serving size: 6 oz per cup.
  • How much to buy:
    • Plan for 1 cup per guest if it’s a casual event or as needed if it’s a more formal gathering.
    • A gallon of brewed coffee or tea typically serves 10-12 people, so for 20 guests, you’ll need 2 gallons.
    • Don’t forget to have milk, sugar, and sweeteners available.

Summary of Estimated Quantities for 20 Guests (for a 4-hour party)

Beverage Type Quantity Estimate
Beer 80 bottles (12 oz each)
Wine 10 bottles (750 ml each)
Spirits 2-3 bottles (750 ml each)
Champagne (Toast) 3-4 bottles (750 ml each)
Water 1-1.5 gallons (160-240 oz)
Soft Drinks 5-10 bottles/cans (8 oz each)
Coffee/Tea 2 gallons (10-12 cups per gallon)

Tips to Adjust Quantities:

  1. Drink Preferences: If your guest list leans more towards wine or beer, adjust the quantities accordingly.
  2. Type of Event: For a cocktail-heavy or formal event, guests may drink more spirits and less beer, while a casual BBQ may have a higher consumption of beer.
  3. Serving Style: If you’re offering only one type of alcoholic drink (e.g., beer or wine), you may need to increase quantities.
  4. Non-Alcoholic Drinks: Make sure to have enough non-alcoholic options for designated drivers or non-drinkers. Plan for at least one non-alcoholic drink per alcoholic drink.

By planning ahead, you can avoid running out of drinks and ensure your guests have a great time!