How to Buy Enough Alcohol For Your Event

Indulging in alcoholic beverages and cocktails is just one traditional way we like to celebrate and honor important occasions. For your upcoming party or special event, be sure to properly plan your alcohol and bar accommodations well ahead of time. It is important to have enough alcohol and accoutrements to satisfy every guest while also keeping them safe.

No clue where to begin? Continue reading for your premium alcohol buying guide!

Alcohol Catering Peach Tree City GA 678-340-0510
Alcohol Catering Peach Tree City GA 678-340-0510

How Much Alcohol is Enough Alcohol?

You can ask every caterer in the country how much alcohol is enough alcohol for a particular event, you will get a different answer depending on various factors, including what you’re serving, how much are serving, and how large your event is going to be. However, the general rule of thumb for providing alcoholic beverages for your guests is one beverage per person, per hour. This is the safest alcohol buying guidelines you can follow. Be sure to also include a sufficient amount of water and other nonalcoholic beverage options, such as soda and juice, for guests to drink in between their alcoholic beverages.

GENERAL RULE OF THUMB: 1 BEVERAGE – PER PERSON – PER HOUR

☑ Beer should be served and 12 ounce portions.
Wine should be served in 5 ounce portions.
Liquor should be served in 1.5 ounce portions.

Wine and Beer

If you are serving wine and beer at your event, but no liquor, the general rule of thumb is to purchase 60% beer products and 40% wine products.

Wine, Beer, and Liquor

If your event is planning to serve a full bar of wine, beer, and liquor, the general will of them is a 35-30- 35 ratio. This translates to 35% beer, 35% liquor, and 30% wine.

Beer Kegs

A standard keg of beer will provide anywhere from 140 to 165 servings of beer if poured in the recommended 12 ounce portions.

Wine Bottles

A standard wine bottle is .75 liter which serves 5 glasses of wine if poured in the recommended 5 ounce portions. The larger bottles of wine that are very common in today’s market are known as Magnum bottles, which are 1.5 liters. A Magnum bottle will serve 10 glasses of wine when poured in 5 ounce portions.

Liquor Bottles

A bottle of liquor is referred to as a handle in the service industry. One handle contains 1.75 liters of alcohol and serves 40 drinks when poured in the recommended 1.5 ounce portions. It is strongly encouraged to provide a wide selection of soda, juices, and other nonalcoholic drinks to mix with any liquor served at your event.

Recommended Mixers:

▷ Regular Soda
▷ Diet Soda
▷ Club Soda
▷ Ginger Ale
▷ Ginger Beer
▷ Tonic Water
▷ Orange Juice
▷ Cranberry Juice
▷ Grapefruit Juice
▷ Lime Juice
▷ Pineapple Juice
▷ Tomato Juice
▷ Olive Brine
▷ Grenadine
▷ Bloody Mary Mix
▷ Sour Mix

Recommended Garnishes and Extras:

▷ Olives
▷ Maraschino Cherries
▷ Selection of Fresh Berries
▷ Orange Wedges/Slices
▷ Lime Wedges
▷ Lemon Wedges/Slices
▷ Mint Sprigs
▷ Rosemary Sprigs
▷ Fresh Basil
▷ Edible Flowers
▷ Toothpicks
▷ Umbrellas
▷ Cocktail Straws
▷ Beer Can/Bottle Insulators
▷ Beverage Napkins
▷ Cubed & Crushed Ice
▷ Selection of Cups/Glasses

Are you looking for professional assistance with planning the alcohol selection and catering portion of your upcoming event in Georgia? Contact Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 to speak with a friendly and experienced Peachtree City catering service manager, today. We serve all of Peach Tree City and its surrounding locations.

You Should Also Read:

How Much Food is Enough Food for Your Event?
The Importance of Alcohol and Bar Safety for Large Group Catering
How to Select Alcohol Service for a Catered Event

Food for Thought Catering 678-340-0510
Food for Thought Catering 678-340-0510