How much alcohol to buy for a party: a simple calculation

The most common question before a party: "Will we have enough?" The good news is that one formula covers it.

The basic formula

On average a guest has 2 drinks in the first hour and 1 drink every hour after that. One "drink" is a glass of wine, a bottle or can of beer, or one cocktail.

A 4-hour party works out at roughly 5 drinks per person.

Turning drinks into bottles

• A bottle of wine or sparkling (750 ml) = 5 glasses
• A bottle of spirits (700 ml) = about 15 to 16 cocktails
• A can or bottle of beer = 1 drink

How to split it

For a mixed crowd this ratio works well:

• 40% beer
• 40% wine and sparkling
• 20% spirits for mixed drinks

Ready-made numbers for 4 hours

1. 110 guests (~50 drinks): 20 beers, 4 bottles of wine or sparkling, 1 bottle of spirits plus mixers.
2. 220 guests (~100 drinks): 40 beers, 8 bottles of wine or sparkling, 2 bottles of spirits.
3. 330 guests (~150 drinks): 60 beers, 12 bottles of wine or sparkling, 3 bottles of spirits.

Don't forget

• Ice: at least 1 kg per person in the heat, for cooling and for glasses.
• Mixers: about 1.5 litres of tonic, soda or cola per bottle of spirits.
• Water and soft drinks for anyone not drinking or taking a break.

Don't feel like counting? Take a ready-made party pack with spirits, mixers and ice. For the rest, delivery can help: just tell us how many guests are coming.