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Party Drink Calculator

Calculate how much beer, wine, and liquor to buy.

Total Drinks Needed

80

Beer

32

Wine

32

Liquor (Drinks)

16

Method

How this calculator works

Total Drinks = (Guests × 2) + (Guests × 1 × (Duration - 1))

Drinks = Guests * 2 + Guests * (Hours - 1)
Beer = Drinks * 0.4
Wine = Drinks * 0.4
Liquor = Drinks * 0.2
  1. Enter the number of guests.
  2. Enter the party duration in hours.
  3. View the estimated drinks breakdown.

Examples

Worked examples

Real numbers, end-to-end results.

20 guests, 3 hour party

80 total drinks

2 per person in hour 1, plus 1 per person for hours 2 and 3.

Use cases

When to use it

  • Wedding receptions.
  • Birthday parties.
  • Holiday gatherings.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks should I plan per person?
A general rule is to plan for 2 drinks per person for the first hour, and 1 drink per person for every hour after that.
What is a standard drink size?
A standard drink is 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1.5 oz of liquor.
How should I split the drink types?
A common breakdown for a general party is 50% wine, 30% beer, and 20% mixed drinks/liquor, but adjust based on your crowd.