How many drinks per person should I plan for?

The simplest guideline is 1 drink per person per hour for adults. A more detailed catering formula allows 2 drinks in the first hour (when people arrive thirsty) then 1 per hour after. For a 4-hour party this works out to about 1.25 drinks per person per hour on average. Adjust down for daytime events and up for lively evening parties.

What percentage of guests will drink alcohol?

Typically 60-80% of adult guests will drink alcohol at a party. This varies by event type — work events tend to have lower alcohol consumption (50-60%) while evening celebrations are higher (70-80%). Always provide good non-alcoholic options.

How do I split between wine, beer, and spirits?

A standard split is roughly 40% wine, 35% beer, and 25% spirits. For formal events, increase wine to 50%. For casual parties and BBQs, increase beer to 50%. Know your audience — some groups prefer wine while others prefer beer.

How many glasses does a bottle of wine pour?

A standard 75cl bottle of wine pours approximately 6 glasses at 125ml each. For larger 175ml pours (common at casual parties), a bottle gives about 4 glasses. Always round up when calculating.

How much soft drink do I need for non-drinkers?

Plan for about 400ml per non-drinker per hour, which is roughly 2 soft drinks per hour. Include a variety of options: sparkling water, still water, fruit juice, cola, and lemonade. Non-drinkers consume more soft drinks than drinkers do.

PartyCalcs

Party Drinks Calculator — How Much to Buy

Work out total drink quantities for any size party or event based on guest numbers, event duration, and drinking preferences.

Number of Guests

Event Type

% Guests Drinking Alcohol

Average Cost per Drink (optional)

How We Calculate This

This calculator estimates total drink quantities using standard UK catering formulas based on guest numbers, event duration, and the percentage of guests drinking alcohol.

The formula

Drinks per drinker = 2 (first hour) + 1 per additional hour

Total alcoholic drinks are split approximately 40% wine, 35% beer, and 25% spirits. Wine is converted to bottles (6 glasses per 75cl bottle), and spirits to bottles (28 single 25ml measures per 70cl bottle). Soft drinks are calculated at 400ml per hour for non-drinkers plus 100ml per hour for alcohol drinkers who also want water or mixers.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Adjust quantities based on your guests and event type.