Drinks per person: how to plan the amount for your party
Too few drinks annoy everyone, too many cost money. A simple rule of thumb gets you close.
The rule of thumb
Plan about 0.5 litres per person in the first hour and about 0.35 litres per hour after that. Example: 20 guests and 5 hours give about 38 litres, just over 41 litres with a 10 % buffer.
Splitting it up
- Water and spritzers are always the backbone, especially at long parties.
- At children's parties water, spritzers and some juice are enough.
- For mixed groups plan about half non-alcoholic.
Tips
- Summer and outdoors bring about 20 % more thirst.
- Chill drinks first: better a little less pre-chilled than warm bottles.
- Unopened bottles keep, you take the rest home.
- Alcohol for adults only.
Rules of thumb from experience, no claim to accuracy: drinking habits and weather vary. Alcohol for adults only. As of: 11/2026. No warranty. Updated: November 2026