Cup Calculator — Hot Drink Cups & Mugs

Allow 2 cups per person for events lasting 2-3 hours. For longer events or afternoon tea, allow 3 cups. Some guests will want tea and then switch to coffee. Having enough cups avoids washing up during the event.

For formal events and afternoon teas, yes - cups need saucers. For casual events, mugs without saucers are fine. If hiring, cups usually come with saucers included. Saucers catch drips and provide somewhere to put the teaspoon.

Allow about 30ml of milk per cup of tea or coffee — a generous splash (single-serve UHT catering pots hold around 12ml, so 30ml leaves room for milkier mugs). For 50 servings that is roughly 1.5 litres, or about 1.5–2 pints per 30 servings. Buy semi-skimmed as it suits both tea and coffee, and have a dairy-free option too — oat milk is the most popular alternative.

About 50% of people take sugar, using 5g (1 teaspoon) per cup. For 50 servings, provide about 125g of sugar. Put out a sugar bowl rather than individual sachets for environmental reasons. Offer sweetener as an alternative.