Gotham Alcohol Party Planning
The Ultimate Guide to Party Alcohol Planning: Never Run Dry Again
Planning a party can be exciting, but determining how much alcohol to purchase can be one of the most stressful aspects of event preparation. Running out of drinks can dampen the mood, while overbuying strains your budget. This comprehensive guide will help you calculate the perfect amount of alcohol for any gathering, from intimate dinner parties to large celebrations. Check our bar service
Plan Your Party with the Right Amount of Alcohol
Are you thinking of hosting a party or planning a big event? One of the most challenging aspects is figuring out how much alcohol to purchase. We’ve put together some general guidelines and a drink calculator to help you be prepared.
Understanding Your Guests' Drinking Patterns
Before diving into calculations, consider these key factors:
- Duration: Guests typically consume 2 drinks in the first hour and 1 drink each hour after that
- Guest Demographics: Age groups, drinking preferences, and whether they're heavy or light drinkers
- Event Type: Formal dinners require different planning than casual cocktail parties
- Season and Weather: Hot weather may increase consumption of refreshing drinks
General Guidelines for Your Purchase
Nonalcoholic Beverages: Plan for guests to have 2 drinks in the first hour and 1 drink each hour thereafter.
Liquor: Allow 1.5 ounces of liquor per drink. One 750-milliliter bottle yields about 16 drinks. For mixers like carbonated water, tonic water, or ginger ale, plan on about a quart for every 3 guests.
Wine: Plan on one 750-milliliter bottle for every 2 guests (or one bottle for every 3 to 4 guests if served with a meal).
Beer: Allow about 12 ounces per guest for every half hour to hour. For larger crowds, consider purchasing a keg.
Nonalcoholic Options: Always offer a variety of nonalcoholic beverages, such as juices, bottled water, lemonade, soda, and iced tea. Consider including nonalcoholic wines and beers.
Bar Service: It is recommended to have someone attend the bar, especially if mixed drinks will be served.
With these guidelines, you'll be well-prepared to ensure your event runs smoothly and your guests are well taken care of. Cheers to a successful party!
Calculating The Number Of Drinks Per Bottle
Example: Bottles of Spirits:
| Cocktails (16 oz. each) | Wine or Champagne (5 oz. each) | |
|---|---|---|
| 750 ML | 16 | 5 |
| Liter | 22 | xx |
| 1.5 L | xx |
10 |
| 1.75 L | 39 | xx |
| 3 L | xx | 20 |
Basic Bar Supply List
If you are setting up a quick self service bar, there are some “must have” items. They include
| Liquors: | Basic Mixers: | Fruit Juices: |
|---|---|---|
| White Rum or Amber Rum | Club soda | Orange |
| Vodka | Cola | Cranberry |
| Gin | Diet cola | Tomato |
| Canadian Whisky (Rye) | Ginger Ale | Mott’s Clamato |
| Tequila | Lemon Lime | |
| Scotch or Bourbon | Tonic |
How Many Drinks Per Bottle Average
(commonly used by caterers)
Highballs, Cocktails, Mixed Drinks
(1.5 oz. liquor servings)
| Bottles | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 750 ML (25.4 oz.) | 16 | 33 | 67 | 101 | 135 | 169 | 203 |
| Liter (33.8 oz.) | 22 | 45 | 90 | 135 | 180 | 225 | 270 |
| 1.75 L (59.2 oz.) | 39 | 39 | 157 | 236 | 315 | 394 | 473 |
Wines, Champagnes, Sparkling Wines
(5 oz. wine servings)
| Bottles | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 750 ML (25.4 oz.) | 5 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 |
| Liter (33.8 oz.) | 6 | 13 | 27 | 40 | 54 | 67 | 81 |
| 1.75 L (59.2 oz.) | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | 54 | 67 | 81 |
| 3 Liter (101 oz.) | 20 | 40 | 80 | 121 | 161 | 202 | 242 |
| 4 Liter (135 oz.) | 27 | 54 | 108 | 162 | 216 | 270 | 324 |
Wine Calculator for Dinner
Table Wines, Champagnes, Sparking Wines
(average 2 servings at 4 to 5 oz. per serving)
| People | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 750 ML (25.4 oz.) | 2 | 2+ | 3+ | 4 | 5 | 8 |
| 1.5 Liters (50.7 oz.) | 1 | 1+ | 2 | 2 | 2+ | 4 |
Cocktail Party Hosting Bar Calculator Hints
Example: Bottles of Spirits:
| Bottles of Spirits: | Extra Supplies | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Vodka | 20 lbs Ice | 1 Cranberry juice |
| 1 Whisky | 3 Tonic water | 2 Limes |
| 1 Gin | 3 Ginger ale | 2 Lemons |
| 1 Scotch | 3 Cola | Olives |
| 1 Sweet vermouth | 2 Soda water | Maraschino cherries |
| 1 Dry vermouth | 2 Orange juice | Napkins |
| 2 Rum(1 light/1 dark) | Cocktail sticks | |
| 1 Tequila |
Note: Have beer and two bottles of red and white wine available for this number of guests, plus any extra mixers that you see fit (i.e. pineapple juice).
Glassware:
60 glasses (estimate 3 per person)
How many glasses should I have available?
Plan for about 3 glasses per guest. This accounts for people setting down drinks and forgetting them, or wanting different types of beverages throughout the event.
What non-alcoholic options should I provide?
Always offer water, soft drinks, and at least 2-3 juice options. Consider including non-alcoholic beer and wine, especially for designated drivers and non-drinkers. A signature "mocktail" can also be a thoughtful touch.
How much ice should I buy for my party?
Plan for 1 pound of ice per guest for a 4-hour party. Double this amount in hot weather or for outdoor events. Remember that ice is used not just for drinks but also for cooling bottles and filling ice buckets.
How much wine should I buy for a dinner party?
For a dinner party, plan one 750ml bottle for every 3-4 guests. A good rule of thumb is to have 60% red wine and 40% white wine, unless you know your guests' preferences differ significantly.
How many drinks can I get from one bottle of liquor?
A standard 750ml bottle yields about 16 mixed drinks (using 1.5oz per drink). A 1.75L bottle provides approximately 39 drinks, making it more economical for larger gatherings.
How much alcohol should I buy for a party?
For a 4-hour event, plan for guests to consume 2 drinks in the first hour and 1 drink per hour after that. This means approximately 5 drinks per person for a 4-hour party. Adjust based on your specific guest list and event type.
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