Party drinks calculator
Estimate how much beer, soda and water to buy for your party.
Estimate: ~350 ml beer, 200 ml soda and 150 ml water per person per hour.
How the calculation works
To avoid running out (or way over) on drinks, the math multiplies the average consumption per person per hour by the number of guests and the duration.
Rules of thumb per drinking adult/hour: ~1 beer, ~300 ml of soda, plus plenty of water.
Step-by-step example
30 guests, a 5-hour party, drinking crowd:
- Beer: 30 × 1 × 5 = 150 cans
- Soda: 30 × 0.3 × 5 = 45 liters
Examples
- 20 people, 4h: ~80 beers and ~24 L of soda.
- Always keep ~500 ml of water per person, on top of other drinks.
Frequently asked questions
What about a no-alcohol party?
Choose "No" for beer; soda and water cover the rest.
What about ice?
Yes, and it often runs out: plan ~1 kg of ice per person for a few-hour party on a hot day.
Better to have extra or run short?
Extra — drinks keep, and many suppliers take returns (buy on consignment if you can).
How much beer per person?
Three to five 350 mL cans per drinking guest over about four hours. Base it on actual drinkers, not total guests.
How much ice do I need?
About 1 kg per person on a hot day, or 1.5 kg if drinks arrive warm. It is the most commonly underestimated item.
How many drinks does a bottle make?
A 750 mL wine bottle pours about 5 glasses, and 1 litre of spirits makes roughly 14 cocktails.
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See all →Updated on June 18, 2026 · by Rafael Rossi · Methodology & sources