The basic formula
Plan for two drinks per guest in the first two hours and one per hour after that. A four-hour party for 20 people needs roughly 120 drinks. That sounds like a lot until you split it across beer, wine and spirits.
For an exact list, run your numbers through the party alcohol calculator. For the wider holiday plan, see the Christmas alcohol delivery guide.
A sample split for 20 guests, four hours
| Drink | Share | What to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Beer | About 40% | Four 12 packs |
| Wine | About 30% | Seven or eight bottles, mostly red |
| Spirits | About 25% | Two 750 mL bottles or one 1.14 L plus one 750 mL |
| Coolers / seltzers | About 5% | One 12 pack |
Beer: the self-serve backbone
Beer looks after itself. Put it in a cooler or a bucket of ice on the balcony and guests help themselves. Stella Artois is a crowd-pleaser; a pack of Molson Canadian keeps the cost per can down.
Stella Artois
Choose your pack size
$80.00
In stock
Molson Canadian
Choose your pack size
$60.00
In stock
Wine for the food table
Christmas parties lean on food, and food leans on wine. Mostly red in winter, with one or two whites. Gato Negro Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc are easy to pour and easy to pair.
One festive punch
A punch bowl makes the party feel like Christmas and saves you from playing bartender. A simple version: one bottle of spiced rum such as Captain Morgan Spiced, cranberry juice, ginger ale, orange slices and plenty of ice. Batch it once, top it up through the night.
If vodka is your punch base, Smirnoff No. 21 is a neutral, reliable choice. The bottle size guide explains when the 1.14 L upgrade saves a second bottle.
Captain Morgan Original Spiced
Choose your pack size
$80.00
In stock
Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka
Choose your pack size
$80.00
In stock
BIG IT UP +$20
Upgrade to 1.14 L — $100.00
Do not forget the non-drinkers
At least one in five guests will drive, be pregnant, or simply not drink. Sparkling water, a non-alcoholic punch and a good ginger beer cost little and make everyone feel catered for.
Ice, mixers and the stuff people forget
- Ice: about one kilogram per guest for a four-hour party.
- Mixers: ginger ale, soda water, tonic, cranberry and orange juice.
- Citrus: limes and oranges for garnish and the punch.
- Cups and a bottle opener — more parties stall on this than on drinks.
Host responsibly
Serve food throughout, keep water out, and help guests get home safely. Deliveries require valid ID from someone 19 or older.
Common questions
How much alcohol do I need for a Christmas party of 20?
About 120 drinks for a four-hour party: roughly four 12 packs of beer, seven or eight bottles of wine and two bottles of spirits.
What is an easy Christmas punch?
Spiced rum, cranberry juice, ginger ale, orange slices and ice. Batch it once and top up through the night.
Should I buy a 1.14 L bottle for a party?
If one spirit is doing most of the work for eight or more guests, the larger bottle usually saves a second order.
