Cocktail Guidelines

Liquor Consumption

Here's a guide for how much liquor to buy for common events. When in doubt, buy extra!

1 hour cocktail reception before dinner – 2 drinks per person for cocktails plus 2 to 2½ glasses of wine per person for dinner
2 hour cocktail party – 3 drinks per person
4 hour dinner party – 3 to 4 drinks per person

Drinks per Bottle

Note that these amounts will vary depending on size of glass, amount of ice, and strength of mixed drinks.

1litre bottle of alcohol is 20-22 drinks
750 mL bottle of wine is 4-6 glasses
1 litre bottle of soda is 5-7 glasses
750 mL bottle of champagne is 6 very generous glasses. For a champagne toast, assume 75 glasses per case of champagne.

Stocking a 50-Guest Bar

Here's a good starting point for serving 50 guests at a full bar affair:

2 litres vodka
1 small bottle dry vermouth for martinis
1 litre each of rum ,blended scotch, bourbon, tequila, triple sec and gin
1 bottle Rose’s lime juice
1 bottle Worcestershire sauce
1 bottle of Tobasco
4 litres each of orange and cranberry juice
2 litres each or grapefruit and tomato juice
6 litres of tonic water, seltzer, cola, diet cola, and club soda
10 bottles each of red and white wine
2 cases of beer

Chilling Out

Pedersens will deliver fresh ice right to your door. We can deliver cubed ice to your event in insulated coolers to save you a trip out to purchase your own ice on the day of your event.

Plan on 1½ lbs of ice person and 2½ pounds per person if you are also chilling bottles.
Plan to pack bottles in ice for two hours to properly chill them before guests arrive.

Cocktail Guidelines

Liquor Consumption

Drinks per Bottle

Stocking a 50-Guest Bar

Chilling Out

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