Running out of drinks before the party is over can feel like you are asking everyone to leave the party! We are here to help you avoid that faux pas.
In our experiences about half of guests express a preference for beer and/or wine. The rest of the party-goers will be more or less equally interested in mixed drinks. Then again, you will know your guests a little more intimately than we would.
You can manually calculate the alcohol you need or use the drink calculator below. First, estimate how many people will be drinking at the event. Second, figure out roughly how long the party will last. We guesstimate two drinks for the first hour, with a drink for every hour following. This gives you an idea of the number of standard drinks you need. Please keep in mind if the crowd is a lighter drinking group, or heavier, you should adjust accordingly.
Finally, multiply the total number of drinks by these preference percentages (35% beer, 35% wine, 30% spirits) and this will give you a breakdown of the drinks you need for your party.
For example, a typical selection for a party of 100 people lasting 4 hours would be 500 total drinks, distributed in this way: |
| A number of aperitifs and liqueurs are also very popular, including Jagermiester, Pimm's, Amaretto, Bailey's Irish Cream and Kahlua. Don't forget milk, coffee and all the other mixes that make cocktails great. Remember extra soft drinks and waters (sparkling or otherwise) for non-drinkers and designated drivers. Check your recipes for all the ingredients to your favorite drinks to figure out exactly what you will need. |
