Use Our Handy Chart to Plan Soft Drinks and Alcohol for a Party

A Casual Gathering

For casual gatherings, serving only wine, beer, and nonalcoholic drinks is perfectly acceptable and often preferred. Most guests will find a satisfying option, and for the host, a limited alcohol selection simplifies planning and allows for menu pairing. This guide helps you decide how many soft drinks and how much alcohol you need to keep guests happy. Get our free take-along chart to assist with shopping for party drinks.

Party Drinks and Mixer

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Include these beverages on your shopping list:

White wine
Red wine
Beer
Water: mineral and bottled
Soft drinks: lemon-lime, diet lemon-lime, cola, and diet cola

Customize the list to match your guests' preferences or a party theme. Consider adding sparkling wine for a special occasion or focusing on specialty beer choices for guests with refined tastes. Provide nonalcoholic options such as bottled water, juices, lemonade (like a homemade lavender version), iced tea, soft drinks, or nonalcoholic beer and wine.

Offering a Full Bar

Hosting a full bar requires more planning and investment. If you have a home bar, you may already have some spirits, mixers, and accents. Review your inventory to avoid running out of favorites or buying duplicates (a small bottle of bitters or vermouth is often sufficient).

Include these items for a comprehensive party bar:

Wine: red and white
Beer
Bourbon
Gin
Rum
Scotch
Tequila
Vodka
Water: mineral and bottled
Soft drinks: lemon-lime, diet lemon-lime, cola, and diet cola
Tonic
Club soda
Juices: orange, cranberry, and tomato

If you plan to serve a signature cocktail or know guests' preferences, add the necessary ingredients to your list.

If you plan to offer a full bar, check that you have the necessary tools and appropriate glassware. Consider disposable wine glasses that won't break if dropped for an outdoor gathering. You'll also want to be sure you have the appropriate ingredients to mix and serve a variety of cocktails.

Check Your Guest List

The number of guests is a key factor in determining how much you need.

Plan for each guest to have one alcoholic beverage per hour.

Understand your guests' preferences for soft drinks, beer, wine, and alcoholic beverages to accurately calculate your needs. If uncertain, purchase a variety of drinks plus a little extra. Check if your retailer accepts returns of unopened bottles. Even if not, most can be stored for later use. Frequent entertainers might benefit from buying in bulk for discounts.

Use these guidelines to estimate quantities:

Nonalcoholic beverages: Assume guests will drink two servings in the first hour and one for each additional hour. Expect higher consumption in warm weather.
Wine: Each 750-milliliter bottle yields five to six glasses. Plan for one bottle per two guests.
Beer: Guests typically drink about 12 ounces (one bottle) every half hour to hour.
Cocktails: Allocate one and a half ounces of liquor per drink. A 750-milliliter bottle makes about 16 drinks. Plan for about a quart of mixer per three guests.

Stock Party Supplies

Alongside beverages, you'll need additional items like ice, garnishes, glasses, and napkins. Add these essentials to your shopping list.

Buy ice. You'll need 1.5 to 2 pounds of ice per guest. If freezer space is limited, fill a large outdoor cooler or aluminum beverage tub. Keep coolers near drink stations and separate ice for glasses from ice cooling bottles and cans. Here's a guide for ice requirements:

6 guests = 10 pounds
12 guests = 24 pounds
25 guests = 50 pounds
50 guests = 100 pounds

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Purchase or rent glasses. Whether you use real glassware or disposable options, guests will need multiple glasses. Here's a guide:

6 guests = 16 glasses
12 guests = 30 glasses
25 guests = 75 glasses
50 guests = 150 glasses

Minimize misplaced glasses with wine or cocktail tags. Use wineglass charms or create your own from wire and cardstock. Attach to wineglass stems or cocktail stirrers.

Remember cocktail napkins. These protect furniture, clean up spills, and keep hands clean. Estimate as follows:

6 guests = 24 napkins
12 guests = 48 napkins
25 guests = 100 napkins
50 guests = 200 napkins

Choose your garnishes. Especially important for a full bar, garnishes add the finishing touch to drinks. For beer and wine, add citrus slices like limes and oranges. Popular garnish options include: