Drinks Per Guest Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the drinks per guest calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Use the Drinks Per Guest Calculator

Formulas Used

Total Drinks

total_drinks = guests * hours * drinks_per_hour

Wine Bottles (5 glasses each)

wine_bottles = (guests * hours * drinks_per_hour) / 5

Beer Cases (24 cans)

beer_cases = (guests * hours * drinks_per_hour) / 24

Soft Drinks (for 30% non-drinkers)

soft_drink_liters = (guests * 0.3 * hours * 0.25) * 0.355

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
guestsNumber of Guests(guests)30
hoursEvent Duration(hours)4
drinks_per_hourDrinks Per Person Per Hour1.5

How It Works

How to Calculate Drinks Per Guest

Formula

Total Drinks = Guests x Hours x Drinks Per Hour

Planning Guidelines

  • First hour: 2 drinks per guest
  • Each subsequent hour: 1 drink per guest
  • Average over a 4-hour event: 1.5 drinks/hour
  • Assume 30% of guests will want non-alcoholic options
  • One bottle of wine = 5 glasses
  • One keg = about 165 glasses of beer

    • Worked Example

    Calculate drinks for 30 guests at a 4-hour party.

    guests = 30hours = 4drinks_per_hour = 1.5
    1. 01Total drinks: 30 x 4 x 1.5 = 180 drinks.
    2. 02Wine bottles: 180 / 5 = 36 bottles.
    3. 03Beer cases: 180 / 24 = 7.5 cases.
    4. 04Plan a mix: perhaps 15 bottles of wine, 3 cases of beer, plus soft drinks.

    Ready to run the numbers?

    Open Drinks Per Guest Calculator