BevMo Drink Calculator

Estimate the beverages needed for your party or event with our easy-to-use BevMo Drink Calculator.

Party Drink Calculator

Shopping List Guide

Drink Type	Estimated Servings	Units to Buy (Approx.)	Notes
Beer (12oz cans/bottles)	0	0 (cans/bottles)	Consider variety (lager, IPA, light)
Wine (750ml bottles)	0	0 (bottles)	Mix of red, white, sparkling?
Liquor (750ml bottles)	0	0 (bottles)	Vodka, Whiskey, Gin, Rum? Don’t forget mixers.
Ice (lbs)	–	0 lbs / 0 bags (10lb)	For drinks and coolers
Water/Non-Alcoholic	–	–	At least 1-2 per guest

This table provides a rough shopping guide based on the calculated servings.

What is a BevMo Drink Calculator?

A BevMo Drink Calculator is a tool designed to help you estimate the amount and types of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages you’ll need for a party, event, or gathering. It takes into account factors like the number of guests, the duration of the event, and the types of drinks your guests are likely to prefer. While we call it a “BevMo” drink calculator due to the popular beverage retailer, it’s a general party drink calculator useful for planning your shopping trip anywhere.

Anyone hosting an event, from a small get-together to a large wedding reception, can benefit from using a BevMo Drink Calculator. It helps avoid overbuying or, worse, running out of drinks during the event. Common misconceptions are that you need one drink per person per hour for the entire event, which often leads to overestimation, or that everyone drinks the same thing.

BevMo Drink Calculator Formula and Mathematical Explanation

The core of the BevMo Drink Calculator lies in estimating total drink consumption and then allocating it based on preference.

1. Calculate Drinking Guests: Number of Guests * (Percentage of Guests Drinking Alcohol / 100)
2. Calculate Total Drink Servings:
   • For the first hour: Drinking Guests * 1.5 drinks
   • For subsequent hours (up to the duration): Drinking Guests * 1 drink per hour
   • Total Drinks = (Drinking Guests * 1.5) + (Drinking Guests * 1 * (Duration – 1)) if Duration > 1, else (Drinking Guests * 1.5 * Duration) if Duration <= 1. More simply: Drinking Guests * (1.5 + Max(0, Duration - 1))
3. Distribute Drinks by Preference: The total drinks are then divided among beer, wine, and liquor based on the selected preference (e.g., Balanced: 33% Beer, 33% Wine, 34% Liquor; Beer & Wine: 50% Beer, 40% Wine, 10% Liquor).
4. Convert to Units:
   • Beer servings are usually 12oz.
   • Wine servings are ~5oz, so 1 bottle (750ml) = ~5 servings.
   • Liquor servings are ~1.5oz, so 1 bottle (750ml) = ~17 servings.
5. Ice: Roughly 1.5 lbs per drinking guest, plus extra for coolers.

Variable	Meaning	Unit	Typical Range
Number of Guests	Total adult attendees	People	1 – 500+
Event Duration	Length of the party	Hours	1 – 12
Drinking Percentage	% of guests consuming alcohol	%	0 – 100
Drink Preference	Guest drink preference mix	Category	Balanced, Beer/Wine, etc.

Our BevMo Drink Calculator uses these principles to give you a solid estimate.

Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)

Example 1: Casual Backyard BBQ

• Inputs: 30 guests, 4 hours, 90% drinking, Mostly Beer & Wine preference.
• Calculation: 27 drinking guests. Total drinks approx. 27 * (1.5 + 3) = 121.5 servings. Beer/Wine preference (50/40/10): ~61 beer, ~49 wine servings (10 bottles), ~12 liquor servings (1 bottle). Ice: ~41 lbs.
• Interpretation: Plan for about 5-6 cases of beer (24-packs), 10 bottles of wine, and 1 bottle of a popular liquor, plus mixers and plenty of ice. Don’t forget non-alcoholic options.

Example 2: Evening Cocktail Party

• Inputs: 50 guests, 3 hours, 80% drinking, Mostly Liquor/Cocktails preference.
• Calculation: 40 drinking guests. Total drinks approx. 40 * (1.5 + 2) = 140 servings. Liquor heavy (20/20/60): ~28 beer, ~28 wine servings (6 bottles), ~84 liquor servings (5 bottles). Ice: ~60 lbs.
• Interpretation: Focus on 5-6 bottles of base liquors (vodka, gin, whiskey), necessary mixers, garnishes, 6 bottles of wine, and some beer. Ice is crucial for cocktails. The BevMo Drink Calculator helps prioritize.

How to Use This BevMo Drink Calculator

1. Enter Number of Guests: Input the total number of adults you expect.
2. Set Event Duration: How many hours will the event last?
3. Estimate Drinking Percentage: What percentage of your guests do you think will drink alcohol? Be realistic.
4. Select Drink Preference: Choose the option that best reflects your guests’ tastes or the event style.
5. Review Results: The calculator instantly shows total drinks, breakdown by beer, wine, liquor (in servings and bottles), and recommended ice.
6. Check the Chart and Table: Visualize the distribution and get a shopping list guide.
7. Adjust and Plan: Use these numbers as a strong guideline. You know your guests best, so adjust if needed. Consider adding a buffer, especially for popular items.

The BevMo Drink Calculator provides a starting point for your event drink planning.

Key Factors That Affect Drink Calculator Results

• Guest Demographics: Age, drinking habits, and preferences of your guests significantly impact consumption. Younger crowds might drink more beer, while older crowds might prefer wine or cocktails.
• Time of Day and Year: Afternoon summer parties might see more beer and white wine, while evening winter events might see more red wine and spirits.
• Type of Event: A casual BBQ differs from a formal wedding or a cocktail party in drink consumption patterns. The BevMo Drink Calculator gives a baseline.
• Food Being Served: The type of food can influence drink choices. Spicy food might call for lighter beers or cocktails.
• Availability of Non-Alcoholic Options: Always provide appealing non-alcoholic beverages. This can reduce alcohol consumption and caters to all guests.
• Budget: Your budget will dictate the quality and variety of drinks you can offer. Use the BevMo Drink Calculator estimates to plan your spending. Find tips on budgeting for parties here.
• Weather: Hot weather typically increases the consumption of cold beverages, including beer, white wine, and refreshing cocktails, and requires more ice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How accurate is the BevMo Drink Calculator?

It provides a good estimate based on common party planning guidelines. However, actual consumption can vary based on the factors mentioned above. It’s always wise to round up slightly.

Should I buy exactly what the calculator suggests?

It’s a guide. Consider your guests’ specific preferences. If you know they love a particular drink, get more of that. It’s better to have a little extra than run out.

What about non-alcoholic drinks?

Always provide plenty of water, soda, juice, or other non-alcoholic options. We recommend 1-2 non-alcoholic drinks per person as a minimum, plus more if it’s hot or the event is long.

How much ice do I really need?

The calculator gives a baseline for drinks. You’ll need more to keep drinks cold in coolers or tubs, especially in warm weather. Aim for 1.5-2 lbs per person just for keeping things cold, plus what’s used in drinks.

What’s the standard pour size for wine and liquor?

A standard wine pour is 5 oz (150ml), and a standard liquor pour for a mixed drink is 1.5 oz (45ml).

Can I return unopened alcohol to BevMo (or other stores)?

Many stores, including BevMo, allow returns of unopened and undamaged alcohol with a receipt, but policies vary, especially by state and store. Check the return policy before you buy in bulk.

What if I have a mix of heavy and light drinkers?

The “Percentage of Guests Drinking Alcohol” input helps, but if you have a significant number of very heavy drinkers, you might increase the total slightly. Learn more about guest drink preferences.

How does the “Drink Preference” setting change the results?

It adjusts the ratio of beer, wine, and liquor calculated from the total estimated drinks. “Mostly Beer & Wine” will allocate more to those categories than “Mostly Liquor/Cocktails”.