There's nothing worse than running out of alcohol at a party. Normally you want to make sure that your guests are well intoxicated from the moment they arrive until you see them off in their Uber. Smaller parties are easier to calculate because if you don't go through an extra bottle or two of wine, you'll likely finish them yourself in a matter of weeks. But what about those three mangoes of vodka that are in your cupboard after New Year's? Have you touched them since you swept away all the brilliance that night? We think not.
Calculate the alcohol you need for a party
A general rule of thumb is to assume that guests will have two drinks during the first hour of the party, and one drink every hour afterward.
(NUMBER OF GUESTS) X (ESTIMATED NUMBER OF DRINKS PER GUEST) = TOTAL NUMBER OF DRINKS
Now, think about the audience and what you want to serve. Just wine and beer? A signature cocktail? A full bar with
the most alcoholic drinks so they can mix? It all depends on you, your budget and what you think your guests will enjoy.
Calculate how you want to divide the total number of drinks between your selection. If you're going to offer wine, beer, and liquor and you're feeling a little lost at this point, you can simplify it and say 1/3 of each. Do you simply offer wine and beer? At an average party, 60% of the guests will drink wine and 40% will drink beer.
Spirits
A one-liter bottle of alcohol makes about 20 mixed drinks. To calculate how many bottles you need, simply divide the number of alcoholic drinks needed by 20.
To calculate the number of mixers needed, calculate approximately one liter of tonic water, sparkling water or juice for every 3 guests who will be drinking liquor.
The side dishes are relatively cheap, so it is recommended to buy more. For staples like lemons, figure 1/2 a lemon for each party guest. For more specific items, such as olives or cherries, allow 2 for each party guest.
Ice
Calculate one and a half kilos of ice per person. This will provide enough ice for drinks, as well as any ice bath for wine or beer. Fill coolers with ice if you don't have freezer space. Store them conveniently near drink stands or the bar.
Came
A 750ml bottle of wine contains about 5 servings, so divide the number of wine drinks by 5 to get the number of bottles you will need.
TIP: For a wine-only sit-down dinner, an easy assumption is half a bottle of wine per person.
Champagne
A 750 ml bottle of champagne fills 6 normal champagne glasses. If you are giving a champagne toast, plan on an additional bottle of bubbles for every ten guests.
Beer
Consider each can or bottle as one serving for the total number of beer drinks. Ask for more depending on the attendees and the type of party. For example, extra beer is essential at a Champions League final party or if it is a party where guests can easily grab it. For large parties, a keg is usually best suited. Check keg size (varies) and assume 8 ounces of beer for each drink.
FULLY STOCKED BAR
| Guests
|
10-25
|
25-35
|
35-60
|
60-100
|
| Alcoholic beverages (bottles) |
– |
– |
– |
– |
| White wine |
7 |
7 |
8 |
eleven |
| Red wine |
2 |
3 |
5 |
6 |
| Champagne |
4 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
| Dry vermouth |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
| red vermouth |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Vodka |
3 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
| Ron |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
| Geneva |
1 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
| Scottish |
1 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
| Whiskey |
2 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
| Bourbon |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Tequila |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
| Brandy/cognac |
1 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
| Appetizer |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
| Cordial |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
| Beer (bottles/cans) |
fifty |
75 |
80 |
100 |
| Mixers (2 liter bottles) |
– |
– |
– |
– |
| Club soda/seltzer |
3 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
| ginger ale |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
| Line |
3 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
| diet cola |
3 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
| Lemon/lime soda |
2 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
| Tonic |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
| juice rooms |
– |
– |
– |
– |
| Tomato |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
| Grapefruit |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
| Orange |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
| Red cranberry |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
| Additional features |
– |
– |
– |
– |
| Grenadine |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
Non-alcoholic options
All bartenders will tell you that the population that doesn't drink alcohol is much larger than you think. You should always have water on hand, but it doesn't hurt to offer other drink options, such as Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola Zero. If you have a party during the week, consider increasing the options, otherwise your guests may need a
hangover remedy .
CHECK THE RETURN POLICY
Once you've done all the math, adding an extra bottle or case of the most popular beer won't hurt. Check with the seller you buy from, as some refund unopened bottles. Return them the next day, even if you have to
work hungover .
