Free Drink Tools
Party Drinks Calculator: How Much Alcohol to Buy
Tell us how many guests, how long the party lasts and what you plan to serve. We'll estimate how many bottles and cans to buy — including plenty of water, ice and alcohol-free options.
How we calculate
- Moderate pace: 2 drinks per drinking guest in the first hour, then 1 per hour. Light pace: about half that after the first drink. Many guests will drink less.
- Wine: 5 glasses (5 oz / 150 ml) per 750 ml bottle.
- Beer: one 12 oz (355 ml) can or bottle per drink.
- Spirits: about 16 servings of 1.5 oz (44 ml) per 750 ml bottle, with 4 oz (120 ml) of mixer per drink.
- Sparkling toast: 6 toast pours of about 4 oz (120 ml) per bottle, for every guest including non-drinkers (with an alcohol-free sparkling option).
- Ice: about 1 lb (0.5 kg) per guest, plus extra for cocktails and chilling.
- Water and soft drinks: at least one non-alcoholic drink per guest per hour.
Hosting tips
- Buy from shops that accept returns of unopened bottles — then you can buy a little extra safely.
- Serve food throughout, not only at the start.
- Keep water visible and easy to reach, and offer at least one interesting mocktail — see our recipes.
- Use a jigger for cocktails and pour standard glasses of wine.
- Stop serving alcohol an hour before the end, and bring out coffee and dessert.
- Plan transport: designated drivers, taxis, rideshares or spare beds. Never let a guest drive after drinking.
Why our estimates aren't "maximums"
This calculator is designed for moderate, responsible hosting — making sure everyone has something good to drink, not making sure everyone gets drunk. Hosts may be legally responsible for serving visibly intoxicated guests in some places.
Frequently asked questions
How many bottles of wine do I need for 50 guests?
For a 4-hour party where wine is about half of what people drink, plan around 25 bottles for 50 drinking guests at a moderate pace. Use the calculator for a tailored estimate.
How much ice do I need for a party?
Plan about 1 lb (0.5 kg) of ice per guest for drinks, plus extra if you are chilling bottles in tubs or serving lots of cocktails.
