How Much Alcohol Do I Need for My Event? (Complete Buying Guide)

Rule of thumb: 2 drinks per guest for the first hour, then 1 drink per guest per hour after that. For a 4-hour event with 100 guests, that's 500 total drinks (5 per guest).

Adjusting for Your Event

Weddings (4–4.5 drinks/guest), Corporate (3–3.5), Birthday/party (5–6), Daytime (2.5–3).

Full Bar Breakdown (100 guests, 4 hours, 500 drinks)

Beer 30% (150 servings = 6-7 cases), Wine 30% (150 servings = 30 bottles), Liquor 40% (200 servings).

Beer & Wine Only

Beer 50% (250 servings = 10-11 cases), Wine 50% (250 servings = 50 bottles).

Signature Cocktails + Beer + Wine

Cocktails 40% (200 servings = 4-5 bottles per recipe), Beer 25% (5-6 cases), Wine 25% (25 bottles), Champagne toast 10% (10-11 bottles).

How Much Liquor

A 750ml bottle yields ~16 cocktails (1.5 oz pours). For 200 cocktail servings with 2 signature drinks: ~7 bottles per cocktail recipe. Common amounts for 100 guests: Vodka 3-4 bottles, Whiskey 2-3, Tequila 2-3, Gin 1-2, Rum 1-2, Triple Sec 1 per signature drink.

Mixers (100 guests, 4 hours)

Soda 8-10 2-liter bottles, Tonic 4-6 bottles, Club soda 4-6 bottles, Juice 4-6 bottles each (lime, lemon, cranberry, orange), Simple syrup 2-3 bottles, Bitters 1-2 bottles, Garnishes 2-3 lbs each (limes, lemons, oranges), Ice 200-300 lbs total.

Shopping List Template (100 guests, 4 hours, 2 signature cocktails + beer + wine)

• Spirits: 4 vodka, 3 whiskey/bourbon, 3 tequila, 1 gin, 1 triple sec, 1 simple syrup
• Beer: 6 cases (variety)
• Wine: 12 red, 12 white, 1 rosé
• Champagne: 10-11 bottles
• Mixers: 8 2-liter sodas, 4 tonic, 4 club soda, 6 juices, 2 bitters
• Garnishes: 3 lbs limes, 3 lbs lemons, 2 lbs oranges, fresh herbs
• Ice: 300 lbs

Pro Tips

• Buy from Total Wine, Specs, Costco (best DFW prices)
• Get more than you think you need (unopened bottles can usually be returned)
• Budget for non-drinkers (mocktails, sodas, water)
• Ask your bartender for a custom list — Elite Mixology Experience provides every client with a detailed shopping list based on their menu, guest count, and event duration