Calculation of alcohol for a banquet - how to calculate the amount of alcohol

Planning a banquet is a difficult task that seems impossible to those who do not have sufficient experience in organizing holidays. And one of the most insidious questions is the calculation of alcohol for each person at the banquet. A small company in which we know everyone makes the process of purchasing or ordering alcohol easier. But what if 30, 50 or even 100 people come to the party? In this case, you will need a high-quality calculation taking into account the type of event, number of guests, duration and other factors. Let's take a closer look at the main criteria for calculation.

Type of holiday and planning by stages

The number of alcoholic drinks depends on the purpose of the event. Weddings, birthdays, corporate feasts are the most expensive holidays in terms of purchasing alcohol. And for buffets, presentations, and business meetings, you will need much fewer bottles of drinks, and the type of these treats will be completely different.

From the point of view of drinking drinks, holidays are divided into main stages:

Aperitif. This is the stage before serving the main courses. There are snacks on the table, and guests will enjoy drinking wine or champagne. On average, count on 200-250 grams of drink per guest.
Main part. Here the range of drinks increases, and the calculation scheme also becomes more complicated. Below we will look at this part of the banquet in detail.
The final. Usually it’s worth buying a few more bottles of good alcohol to finish. Not all guests will stay for the finale; many will no longer drink drinks, so 1 bottle for 10 people will be enough for you.

Useful tips

Based on many years of experience of wedding banquet organizers, guests prefer the following types of alcohol:

red wine: semi-sweet or semi-dry;
white wine: semi-dry or dry;
champagne: semi-sweet.

It is worth considering additional tips from wedding specialists:

If the range of alcoholic products intended for a wedding includes whiskey, it is advisable to add cola to the drinks. And also increase the amount of apple juice.
If the celebration is organized during the hot season, it is better to increase each of the future positions of non-alcoholic drinks by approximately 30%.
Don’t forget that you will also need water during the walk (about 250-300 g for each person present). But you shouldn’t take juices for walks; you can get wet with them and stain your elegant clothes, while water will simply dry out and leave no stains.

Selection of drinks and determination of their quantity

During the main part of the event, two types of drinks are usually drunk: wine and vodka. It wouldn’t hurt to offer an alternative to wine in the form of champagne. Those guests who do not drink vodka will obviously not be against cognac or whiskey. You don't need a lot of these drinks.

You should follow this scheme for an event that lasts about 5-6 hours:

1 bottle of vodka for two guests;
1 bottle of champagne for 2-3 guests (depending on the audience);
1 bottle of wine per 1 guest.

This is a universal scheme, which usually leaves a small amount of alcoholic beverages. If you're hosting an event at a restaurant where you can order extra alcohol, you can reduce the average alcohol limit a little.

For a more accurate calculation, you need to take into account individual characteristics:

300-500 grams of vodka, 500 grams of wine, 200 grams of champagne - for 1 man;
100-150 grams of vodka, 400-500 grams of wine, 200 grams of champagne - for 1 woman.

If the company is planned to be fun, then the norm should be increased slightly. This calculation also works if there are non-drinkers in the company. Of course, children should be excluded from the list.

Remember that all types of calculations should be changed individually for each company. If guests drink little, the above norms can be safely divided in half. If adult men meet in a large group, these numbers will have to be multiplied by 2.

Juice

Juice is the main focus in the purchase of soft drinks.
It is important to take into account that for non-drinking guests it is necessary to increase the volume of this drink. Sour flavors are considered the best choice. Most often, the following types are chosen in equal proportions: apple, cherry, orange, multifruit, pomegranate . It is very rare that tomato or grape juices are present at a wedding banquet.

As a rule, 2 liters are purchased for each invitee.

If non-drinkers prefer some type of juice, then it is necessary to increase the volume of it.
It is also important to consider that the presence of other soft drinks reduces the consumption of a particular drink. Don't forget about children - they should get enough of their favorite juice so that during the event they can quench their thirst and not be capricious. Before holding a banquet, it is important to find out what allergies the guests have, otherwise some difficulties will arise in the turmoil of the celebration.

The main rule is to exclude any juice that can cause unpleasant consequences.

Calculating alcohol for a banquet using an example

It will be easier to understand how to calculate alcohol if you show everything with a specific example. Let's take a traditional banquet for 30 people (an equal number of men and women) on the occasion of a birthday. Usually the popular drinks in this case will be vodka and wine. Champagne is needed in small quantities for people who do not drink other types of alcohol.

So, the calculation will be as follows:

for 15 men you will need about 15 bottles of vodka and 15 bottles of wine, 0.5 l each;
for 15 women it is necessary to prepare 5 bottles of vodka and 15 bottles of wine;
Additionally, 3 bottles of cognac and 3 bottles of champagne would not hurt;
other alcoholic drinks are purchased according to the personal preferences of the guests.

Calculation per person for the first half of the day

Traditionally, only champagne is taken from alcoholic beverages for ransom, registration at the registry office and wedding walk. In this case, it is assumed that there is one bottle for each guest (about six glasses, two for each part of the event).

Additionally, juice (half a liter for each guest) and mineral water (a small bottle for each) are purchased. When calculating the required number of soft drinks, take into account the drivers of the motorcade.

Don't forget to bring glasses for your guests. If plastic ones don’t seem aesthetically pleasing enough to you, choose glass ones, but in this case, take them in excess. A few will definitely break, luckily.

In some registry offices, a light buffet is included in the registration price. Please clarify this point in advance and take it into account when making calculations.

What other counting methods are there?

For particularly important events, it is possible to survey each guest. Then you can accurately calculate how much alcohol you need, as well as which alcoholic drinks you should buy. This can also be done at small events where up to 15 guests will gather.

There are other ways to calculate the amount of alcohol for a banquet.
But you should choose the simplest ones - they often turn out to be the most effective. The individual characteristics of each banquet should also be taken into account. Sometimes even the range of drinks will have to change significantly. Leave a request Wedding Private event Birthday/anniversary Graduation Corporate party Reception Conference/forum Charity evening Romantic dinner Photo shoot Excursions Office rental

How much champagne should I buy for a wedding?

This drink is most often used in two cases: at a welcome cocktail (meeting guests) and as the main drink for the first toast at a banquet, and for this purpose 1 glass (150 ml) per person is calculated. For convenience and simplicity, it is useful to remember that 750 ml is 5 servings of 150 ml, i.e. one bottle will be bottled for 5 people. For events where champagne is the main or even the only drink, the duration of the event will be a major factor in the calculation.

Cognac and whiskey

Cognac is less popular, so you shouldn’t replace it with 100% clear 40-proof drinks, although there will certainly be its connoisseurs among your guests. If finances allow, after calculations you can replace 30% of vodka with expensive cognac: this will emphasize the high status of the celebration.

Whiskey is even less in demand; you can purchase several bottles only for those guests in whose tastes the newlyweds are confident. In addition to it, you will have to take cola and apple juice. Recently, tequila has gained popularity - both in pure form and in cocktails, as well as rum and brandy.

Restaurant

The easiest way, of course, is to assign responsibility to the restaurant managers. You simply tell them how many people are coming, the number of men and women, some taste preferences and go about your business. As a rule, if it is a well-known restaurant, then this is not the first time it has encountered such a problem. Accordingly, he will be able to find the best option.

There are pros and cons here. The main disadvantage is the price. The cost of alcohol in a restaurant is not the lowest, and the price for additional purchases can be simply exorbitant. Especially if you come across some inadequate friend or relative who suddenly wants to try something extravagant at the expense of the newlyweds’ budget. So, such an event can cost you a pretty penny.

The main advantage is the huge amount of alcohol itself and its variety. That is, you can be sure that in the midst of the celebration you will not suddenly run out of wine, and you will always be able to try some truly high-quality drink. In addition, you will significantly save on delivery, selection, packaging, etc. But it is preferable to choose this option only if you have a considerable wedding budget.

As a last resort, you can compromise. Agree with the administration of the establishment that you will bring some of the alcohol yourself, and buy some from them. This way you can provide for yourself in emergencies without spending too much money. True, not all establishments agree to such conditions, but, for example, Chinese restaurants in Moscow will certainly accommodate you.

Wine

General recommendation: choose semi-dry and semi-sweet wines. There are rarely fans of dry ones, and dessert ones are unlikely to be combined with hearty snacks. As for calculations, take one bottle for each guest so that there is enough for everyone, but no more than three different brands.

How to choose between red and white wine?

If you don’t know the guests’ preferences, the simplest solution is to take equal parts of both red and white. Or choose a universal option - rose wine. It goes with all appetizers;
Will there be meat dishes for main course? They are better complemented by red wine, served chilled to 16-18°C;
If the main dish is fish and seafood or poultry, it is better to choose white wine. Before serving, be sure to cool it to 10-14°C.

Martini also has the right to be on the wedding table, but, frankly speaking, this is not a drink for everyone. Even those who like it (usually the female half of the guests) do not use it in its pure form, but as part of cocktails. Therefore, if you buy martinis or other vermouths, budget for suitable juices (pineapple, grapefruit, orange).

Recommendations from restaurateurs

To ensure that the range and quantity of drinks does not disappoint, follow a few useful tips when purchasing:

Take one bottle of each spirit to sample before making your final purchase;
Buy alcohol in large hypermarkets or wholesale stores: it’s safer and more economical;
If possible, try to ask your guests in advance what drinks they prefer to please everyone. Satisfied guests are the key to a fun wedding. It is clear that it is impossible to adapt to everyone’s preferences, but it is worth taking into account the tastes of the main participants. If, for example, the father of the bride drinks exclusively whiskey, and there is no drink on the table, an awkward situation will be created and resentment may arise;
If you are in doubt about the calculations, it is better to take more than less. As an option, agree with the restaurant that you will buy the necessary drinks during the banquet, but this will cost you too much. The initiative of guests making additional orders can be especially unpleasant. This will negate all your attempts to save money when purchasing in advance;
For a themed wedding, the set of drinks may be different. For example, a pirate wedding cannot do without rum and ale.

Advice! Agree in advance with the administration of the establishment that you will take all the remaining alcohol with you at the end of the banquet.

Types of banquets

Business. This type is used to service business forums, business meetings, symposiums and conferences. Seats at the table are usually strictly assigned to each participant.
Corporate. This form of banquet is perfect for serving food during a special event or company event. A corporate banquet will allow employees to communicate in an informal setting and make new acquaintances.
High school graduation. It can take place both in the banquet hall and outside. Graduation evening is a significant event in the life of every person, so it is very important that it is remembered for a long time and leaves extremely pleasant memories.
Wedding. It should definitely be unforgettable. The menu for such a banquet is developed with special attention. It should take into account a lot of nuances and preferences of guests.
Anniversary date. Every birthday person tries to celebrate his birthday in a special way. An anniversary is an important milestone that sums up the previous stage of life. The menu for such a banquet can be themed.

Features of the choice of drinks

The choice of alcohol depends on the format of the holiday.

Among the usual forms in Russia we can highlight:

traditional feast (held at a festively laid table in a city apartment, restaurant, cafe);
elite banquet (for a limited number of guests, a separate office or banquet hall of an expensive restaurant is reserved);
buffet (used for receptions, premieres of performances, opening of art exhibitions);
corporate event (characterized by a variety of venues and a close social circle).

The choice of alcohol, methods of table setting, and serving strong drinks depend on the form of the banquet.

Most often served on a traditional table:

Russian vodka. You cannot do without the traditional strong drink in Russia; it is preferred by the majority of guests. In order not to advertise the labels of inexpensive varieties on bottles, vodka is served in small chilled decanters.
Champagne, wine. As a rule, women prefer to drink dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet wines. Expensive dessert wine and liqueurs are served with cakes and pastries. Chilled wines are served in uncorked bottles.
Elite strong drinks. Medal vodka, expensive cognac, and aged whiskey are placed on the festive table in bottles. In the banquet room, the waiter pours the ordered drink for each guest. At buffet tables, cognac and whiskey are poured into special glasses or glasses in advance and are not refrigerated. For whiskey, ice is served in separate vases.
Mineral, spring water, fruit juices - served in glass or small plastic containers. One and a half liter cylinders are not placed on the table.

At a wedding, the amount of champagne increases. Guests drink a glass of champagne during the bride price at the wedding ceremony. Two or three glasses should be provided for the duration of the wedding walk or photo shoot. At the beginning of the wedding feast, guests are limited to the first glass of champagne. Therefore, plan on a bottle of sparkling wine for your wedding guest. Since it is impossible to calculate the exact quantity, buy 4-5 spare bottles.

How to calculate the amount of alcohol per person for a wedding ceremony?

Make a list of guests, in which you indicate the composition of the guests at the wedding - the number of men, women, children and non-drinkers. Feel free to exclude children and non-drinking guests from the alcohol allowance for the wedding, but make sure there are enough non-alcoholic drinks for them.

Roughly divide drinking guests into 3 categories:

heavy drinkers (heavy drinkers)
moderate drinkers
light drinkers.

This data will be needed to calculate the number of alcoholic drinks using the online calculator.

Tip: When filling out guest lists, enter the “alcohol” column, where you will mark what alcohol the guest prefers.

Attention! The calculator calculates the approximate amount of alcohol for a wedding lasting no more than 6 hours. The better you know the preferences of your guests, take into account the weather and time of year, the more accurately you can calculate your alcohol costs

Now decide on the drinks that are expected at the ceremony. Based on the experience of representatives of the restaurant business, a wide selection of different liquids should be present on the wedding table: strong alcoholic drinks, champagne, wine and soft soft drinks.

How to calculate the right amount of strong alcohol for a wedding

Depending on the age of the guests, choose 2-3 types of alcohol.

Strong alcoholic drinks are usually taken in a ratio of 60% vodka and 40% cognac. These are classic proportions. In recent years, whiskey has also been added to this group.
If most of the guests are young people, then 30% whiskey is purchased, and vodka and cognac are taken equally, 35% each.
If there are equal numbers of middle-aged and young guests, then the proportions will be as follows: 40% vodka, 35% cognac and 25% whiskey.

Scotch whiskey connoisseurs invited? Then determine the proportions based on the considerations above, or use the data on alcohol preferences that you collected while filling out the guest list.

How to count champagne and sparkling wines

The amount of champagne will be a little more difficult to calculate: it is drunk at a banquet, on a walk and in the registry office.

For a walk, we calculate the number of bottles of champagne using the formula: 250 ml per person. For example, let's take the calculation for a company of 20 people: 20*250/750=6.66. So we take 7 bottles of champagne for a walk.
For the registry office, calculate how much champagne is needed using this calculator: 150 ml for each guest. If there are 20 guests, then you need 4 bottles of alcohol, and for 40 people you will need 8 bottles of sparkling wine.
We will calculate the champagne for the banquet according to the formula: take 300 ml of champagne or sparkling wines for each woman. If there are 30 women at the banquet, you will need 12 bottles, and for 50 ladies of champagne you will need 20 bottles.

How to calculate the approximate number of bottles of wine

Red wine is preferred semi-dry or semi-sweet.

Choose dry or semi-dry white wine. Tip: If the menu suggests more meat dishes, you should stick to semi-sweet red wine, and if fish dishes predominate, then give preference to dry white wine. Buy about 1 liter of red and white wines for each woman for your wedding. For 20 representatives of the fair sex, according to the alcohol calculator for a wedding you will need: 20*1000/750=26.66. Feel free to buy 27 bottles of wine.

How many soft drinks will you need?

Good to know: According to the World Health Organization, which was announced in Rome in 2003, a person should drink 1.5-2 liters of liquid per day. When organizing a long celebration, proceed from these standards.

Calculate the approximate amount of mineral water using the presented calculator: 1-1.5 liters for each invitee. For 40 people you will need 40 liters of water or 80 0.5 liter bottles. It is better if the water is in glass containers with a volume of no more than 0.6 liters. Carbonated water is taken 30%, without gas 70%. In our case, this is the ratio of 24 to 56 pieces, respectively. If the wedding takes place in the summer, then purchase 20-30% more water and soft drinks.
The amount of juices is calculated using the same formula: 1 liter per guest. For 40 people you will need 40 liters of juice. It is better to give preference to apple, orange and multifruit juices.

What to consider when planning a banquet

No one can name the exact number of alcoholic and soft drinks needed for your holiday.

The following factors influence:

Number of invited guests.
Percentage of men, women, children. It is believed that the male half prefers strong alcohol, ladies choose wine, children need more juices and mineral water.
If non-drinking guests will be present at the party, increase their share of non-alcoholic drinks.
Time of year, weather. In winter, strong alcohol is preferable, and in summer - wines and liqueurs.
Duration and type of banquet. The longest and most expensive are weddings, anniversaries, and corporate events. Buffets, presentations, and business meetings require a different format and different consumption of alcohol.

If possible, analyze the list of guests, estimate in advance which guest will choose which drink and how much they will be able to drink.