Holiday parties

How Much Alcohol Do You Need for a Holiday Party?

Holiday parties drink differently. More spirits, more sparkling, and a longer night.

The short answer

Plan on one drink per guest per hour, and plan for a longer night than you think. Holiday parties usually run four hours or more, and guests drink more spirits than they do the rest of the year.

What to buy, by guest count

Based on a four hour holiday party. Mix used: 25% beer, 40% wine, 35% spirits and sparkling.

Guests	Total drinks	Beer	Wine	Spirits
25	125	2 cases	10 bottles	3 bottles
50	250	3 cases	20 bottles	6 bottles
75	375	4 cases	30 bottles	9 bottles
100	500	6 cases	40 bottles	11 bottles
150	750	8 cases	60 bottles	17 bottles

Beer counted in cases of 24. Wine at five glasses per bottle. Spirits in 750ml bottles at about 16 drinks each.

Want to change the guest count or the hours? Use the party drink calculator and it will do the math for any number.

Why this mix

This is the one time of year spirits climb. Cocktails, punch bowls and after dinner pours all pull from the same shelf. Beer drops to the smallest share.

Whiskey does the heavy lifting at a holiday party. One good bourbon covers sipping, cocktails and the gift that gets opened at the end of the night.

Four mistakes that cost the most

Forgetting the toast pour. A midnight or dinner toast needs its own count.
One punch bowl and nothing else. Punch runs out fast and it is hard to judge strength.
No mixers. Holiday cocktails eat through soda, juice and garnish quickly.
Under buying ice. Plan about one pound per guest.

A sparkling option matters more in December than any other month. Plan about one bottle for every six guests if you are doing a toast.

How we build a holiday party order

You send the guest count, the date and the hours.
We build the drink plan and tell you what it takes to cover it.
You adjust the mix to fit what your crowd actually drinks.
We pull the order together for pickup at the store on Austin Bluffs.

We are a liquor store in Colorado Springs, not a caterer. What we do well is get the amount right and have it ready when you come get it.

Questions people ask

How much liquor for a 50 person holiday party?

For a four hour party, plan on roughly 6 bottles of spirits if spirits are about 35% of your bar. Add mixers and ice on top.

What should I buy for a punch?

Pick one base spirit and build around it. Tell us your guest count through the form and we will size the batch with you.

Do I need champagne?

Only if you are doing a toast. If you are, plan about one bottle for every six guests.

When should I order for December?

Earlier than you think. December is the busiest stretch of the year and specific bottles move fast.

Plan my holiday party

Tell us the date and the headcount. We will come back with a plan.

Your name Type of event Event date How many guests Phone Email

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We have your details. Someone from 3 Thirsty Goats will get back to you about your holiday party.