How much alcohol for a party?
The classic guideline is one drink per guest per hour, with an extra drink in the first hour when people arrive thirsty. This party drink calculator applies that rate, subtracts non-drinkers, and splits the total into beer, wine, and liquor based on your chosen mix.
Handy conversions
- 1 case of beer = 24 cans/bottles
- 1 bottle of wine (750ml) = about 5 glasses
- 1 bottle of liquor (750ml) = about 16 cocktails (1.5 oz each)
Don't forget
Plan plenty of non-alcoholic options, about 1–1.5 lb of ice per guest, and enough cups. It's better to have a few extra bottles — unopened alcohol keeps.
Frequently asked questions
How much alcohol do I need for a party?
Plan about one drink per guest per hour, plus one extra in the first hour. The party drink calculator works out the total from your guest count and party length, then splits it into beer, wine, and liquor.
How much beer and wine for a party of 50?
For 50 guests over 4 hours, expect roughly 250 drinks. With a balanced mix that's about 125 beers, 8–9 bottles of wine, and 3–4 bottles of liquor — adjust to your crowd's preference.
How much ice do I need for a party?
Plan about 1 to 1.5 pounds of ice per guest for drinks and chilling. Hot weather or blended cocktails push that higher, so round up.