How much alcohol is needed for the party?
This guide is here to help you determine the right amount of alcohol for your party, as well as the combination of drink types. It can be expensive to buy too much alcohol, but it is embarrassing to run out. Therefore, this guide will help you to estimate just the right amount.
Rule of thumb
The calculations below do not account for the fact that some of your guests probably won’t drink because they are driving. Therefore there is about 10 – 15% safety net build in to the calculations.
The hard party is not to estimate the right amount of alcohol, but to find the right balance between wine, beer and drinks.
The calculation
Determine and write down the following factors:
1. How many hours will the party last for?
2. What type of party is it? Wedding, barbeque, party, birthday etc.
More alcohol is generally consumed at parties. However, it does depend on the nature of your guests.
3. What is the age of your guests?
18 – 25 year olds tend to drink more than older guests
4. Estimate how many drinks you guests are likely to have per hour.
This depends on age and habits. Usually, guests drink somewhere between 1 and 1,5 drinks per hour.
5. Calculate the number of drink units
The formula usually goes like this:
(number of hours x number of guests) x 1.2
For example, if you are having a 6 hour long party with 50 guests, the formula will be like this: (6 x 50) x 1.2 = 360 drink units
6. Find the balance between the drink types
What will you serve? For example, if you only serve beer and wine, then make the percentage of beer that same as the percentage of men at the party and make the percentage of wine the same as the percentage of women at the party.
7. Calculate how many bottles you have to buy
Beer
1 small bottle or can = 1 drink
Wine
750ml bottle = 4 drinks
3L = 20 drinks
Spirits
750ml bottle = 25 drinks
1.0L bottle = 33 drinks
1125ml = 37 drinks
Calculation table
This table is based on a 5 – 5.5 hour long party with thirsty guests drinking 1,5 drink each every hour. I have also taken into account other drinks and accessories. Just remember to buy everything that is in your drink recipes.
| Ingredients | 25 guests | 50 guests | 100 guests |
| White wine | 7 (750 ml) bottles | 18 (750 ml) bottles | 29 (750 ml) bottles |
| Red wine | 7 (750 ml) bottles | 18 (750 ml) bottles | 29 (750 ml) bottles |
| Beer | 25 (0.33 l) bottles | 49 (0.33 l) bottles | 96 (0.33 l) bottles |
| Bailys | 1 (750 ml) bottle | 2 (750 ml) bottles | 4 (750 ml) bottles |
| Rum | 1 (750 ml) bottle | 3 (750 ml) bottles | 5 (750 ml) bottles |
| Vodka | 2 (750 ml) bottle | 3 (750 ml) bottles | 4 (750 ml) bottles |
| Whiskey | 1 (750 ml) bottle | 2 (750 ml) bottles | 4 (750 ml) bottles |
| Mineral water | 6 (1 L) bottles | 12 (1 L) bottles | 24 (1 L) bottles |
| Sprite | 4 (1 L) bottles | 8 (1 L) bottles | 22 (1 L) bottles |
| Cola | 5 (1 L) bottles | 10 (1 L) bottle0 | 22 (1 L) bottles |
| Cola light | 5 (1 L) bottles | 10 (1 L) bottles | 22 (1 L) bottles |
| Ice | 5 kilos | 10 kilos | 20 kilos |
| Glasses | 80 glasses | 170 glasses | 320 glasses |
Tip #1
When it’s cold it’s better to have more red wine than white wine.
Tip #2
When it comes to purchasing the drinks, some shops actually have return policies. This means that if you buy more than you need you can return it after the party and get the money back. Check with your local store.
Prices of alcohol
Some places require that you purchase their alcohol and this is much more expensive than if you can purchase your own. Making sure that your party premises have BYO is a good idea, but remember that this often means that you are on you own when it comes to supplies like ice and glassware, as well as doing the dishes afterwards.
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