How much alcohol do I need for a 50 guest Thanksgiving?

For a 50-guest Thanksgiving, you need 22 bottles of wine, 2 cases of beer, 3 bottles of champagne, 3 bottles of spirits, about 188 total servings (3.8 drinks per person) with a 15% buffer included.

What is the drink breakdown for a Thanksgiving bar?

A balanced bar for a Thanksgiving typically includes: Wine (49%), Beer (20%), Champagne (7%), Spirits (23%). These proportions are adjusted based on event type. Thanksgiving dinners tend to favor wine.

Thanksgiving Alcohol Calculator: 50 Guests

Your Complete Bar 50 guests · 4 hours

Wine	22bottles	93 servings

Beer	2cases	38 servings

Champagne	3bottles	14 servings

Spirits	3bottles	43 servings
For a proper spirits selection, that is at least one bottle each of vodka, gin, whiskey, rum, and tequila.
Batching cocktails ahead of time keeps the bar moving: Freezer Batch Cocktails has make-ahead recipes that go straight from the freezer to the glass.

188 servings, about 3.8 drinks per person

15% buffer included on each category.

Find it locally.

Order a few days ahead so pickup is ready when you need it.

Some links pay us a small commission.

Shopping list

What to put in the cart

22bottles Wine

2cases Beer

3bottles Champagne

3bottles Spirits

Things to have on hand

Wine Glasses, Plastic

Two per drinker covers a refill without a trip to the sink.

Wine Opener

A backup means one stuck cork does not stall the bar.

Rolling Beverage Cooler

Wheels it where the crowd is instead of the crowd finding it.

Champagne Flutes, Plastic

One per guest for the toast, no washing up after.

Cocktail Shaker Set

Everything needed to mix drinks to order, not just pour them.

Bartender Kit

Jigger, muddler, and strainer in one set covers most cocktails.

Ice Bucket

Keeps a bottle at the ready without a trip back to the cooler.

Party Cups

The default cup for beer, soda, and everything in between.

Planning notes by email

Occasional planning notes, nothing more.

No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

More detail

Each drink, shown with its work

Every drink page prints the arithmetic and a printable list.

Wine 22 bottles Beer 2 cases Champagne 3 bottles Spirits 3 bottles

Planning notes

Planning notes for a Thanksgiving

Wine consumption peaks during dinner - have bottles ready at the table.
Pre-dinner cocktails should be light so people can enjoy the meal.
After-dinner drinks (port, brandy) are a nice touch.

Thanksgiving is wine-heavy with the meal. The table above sizes the wine for the meal. Have a light cocktail option for pre-dinner and maybe some beer for football watching. Keep it classy.