How Much Booze Do You Need for a Cocktail Party?
Fear that you’re not going to have enough drinks or food for your guests is a common concern. Take a look at our handy planning guide and you’ll be on your way to hosting a successful shindig.


The key to a successful party begins with planning. Running out of drinks or ice for your guests can quickly take the party from dynamite to disastrous. This quick and easy planner should give you a good starting place for your party plans. Use it as a guide, but tweak it as necessary for your purposes. If you know, for example, that none of your guests will drink white wine, make the appropriate adjustments to a more popular drink among the group. Do not feel compelled to stock every type of liquor in your bar. Unless you are preparing a signature drink that requires something unusual, stick to the basics such as gin, vodka, rum, tequila, and whiskey.
More to consider:
Plan your list days in advance.
Make bottled purchase well in advance, but save the purchase of perishable condiments and ice for the day before or the day of the party.
If you will need several bags of ice be sure to have ice chests on hand.
Remember to add ‘easy to forget’ items to your list such as napkins and toothpicks.
Be sure to have plenty of non-alcoholic options available for non-drinkers and designated drivers.