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Party drink batch

Estimate how many drinks, bottles and bags of ice a party needs.

Built and maintained by The NumberPrism Editorial TeamEditorial policy

Your details

Guests

Event duration

hours

Guests who drink alcohol

Drinking pace

Results update as you type. The formula and assumptions are explained below the calculator.

Standard drinks needed

80 drinks

Drinking guests16 guests

First-hour drinks32 drinks

Later-hour drinks48 drinks

Beer equivalent (12 oz bottles)80 bottles

Wine equivalent (750 ml bottles)16.0 bottles

Ice10 kg

Planning estimate only. Offer water and non-alcoholic options, arrange safe transport and never serve alcohol to minors. Leftover unopened bottles can usually be returned or stored.

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What does this tool do?

Catering estimates usually allow two drinks in the first hour and one for each hour after that, adjusted for how much your guests drink. This calculator turns guest count and event length into a shopping list, with separate views for beer and wine.

The Formula

Standard drinks = drinking guests × (duration + 1) × pace factor; wine bottles = drinks ÷ 5

Frequently Asked Questions

How many drinks should I plan per guest?

Two drinks in the first hour and one per hour afterward is a common rule of thumb. Adjust downward for older guests, daytime events or a short party, and upward for a long celebration.

How much ice do I need?

About 0.5 kg per guest covers drinks and chilling, with extra in hot weather. Keep ice in a separate cooler so it does not sit in meltwater.

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