How many drinks per person at a party?

A common rule of thumb is 2 drinks in the first hour and 1 per hour after. For a 3-hour party: ~4 drinks per guest. Adjust for your crowd.

How many cocktails does a 750ml bottle make?

A 750ml bottle holds approximately 25.36 oz. A standard cocktail uses 1.5-2 oz of spirit, so expect 12-17 cocktails per bottle depending on the recipe.

How much does a party batch typically cost?

Entirely depends on the spirit. Budget spirits run $15-25/bottle; premium run $40-80. Use the BatchPour bottle count and multiply by your per-bottle cost.

Prep notes

How much alcohol for a party (bottle math)

Buying too little is embarrassing. Buying too much is expensive. Here is the math you need.

$Premium bar scene with coupe glasses and bottle silhouettes for party planning$

The basic formula

Start with this calculation:

Drinks needed = guests × hours × drinks per hour
Spirit oz needed = drinks needed × oz per drink
Bottles needed = spirit oz ÷ 25.36 (oz per 750ml bottle), rounded up

Example: 20 guests, 3-hour party, 1.3 drinks/hour (roughly), 2 oz spirit per drink: 20 × 3 × 1.3 = 78 drinks × 2 oz = 156 oz ÷ 25.36 = 6.2 bottles → buy 7.

Drinks-per-hour by event type

Cocktail hour / aperitivo: 1.5-2 drinks/hour
Dinner party: 1-1.5 drinks/hour (food slows consumption)
Late-night party / dancing: 1.5-2+ drinks/hour
Brunch (Mimosas): 2-3 drinks/2-hour brunch

Using the batch calculator

The BatchPour batch calculator does all of this for you. Enter your recipe, the number of servings, and choose the method — it outputs the exact ounces and bottle count for each ingredient. Use the printable shopping list to take to the store.

Buffer rule

Always buy one bottle more than the calculation suggests. Spillage, generous pours, late arrivals, and the cook who needs a sip while prepping all add up. A sealed bottle is returnable at most stores; running out is not recoverable.

Sources, review and limits

Last verified

June 2026

Author and reviewer

Written by BatchPour editorial desk; reviewed by Solmoor editorial review.

Primary data sources

Cocktail recipe ratios maintained in the local BatchPour dataset
Widmark BAC formula and U.S. standard-drink definitions
USDA-style produce yield assumptions and bartender dilution ranges

Batching, dilution, ABV and BAC outputs are estimates for planning and education. Technique, ice, produce and individual metabolism vary. Drink responsibly and do not use the BAC estimate to decide whether to drive.