The #1 question we hear as dry-hire bartenders: "How much alcohol do I buy?" Here's the simple math we use with our own clients.
Start with the rule of one. Plan on one drink per guest per hour. A 4-hour reception for 100 guests = about 400 drinks.
Split it by your crowd. A common mix: 50% beer and wine, 50% cocktails — adjust toward what your people actually drink. For 400 drinks, that's roughly:
Wine: ~40 bottles (one 750ml bottle pours about 5 glasses)
Beer: ~100 bottles or cans (or a keg — one full keg is about 165 pours)
Spirits: ~10–12 one-liter bottles for two signature cocktails plus basics
Don't forget the supporting cast: mixers (sodas, tonic, juices), fresh citrus and garnishes, ice (plan 1 lb per guest), cups, and water. Running out of ice is the most common party emergency we see.
Buy smart: Choose a retailer that accepts returns of unopened bottles, buy your two signature-cocktail spirits in 1.75L handles, and keep one backup case of wine in the car.
Want this done for you? When you book Minkxology, we build your exact shopping list from your guest count and menu — you buy it, we make the magic. Contact us for your date.
Related: Dry-Hire Bartending, Explained
