How much spirits do I need for 15 guests?

You need 6 bottles of spirits for 15 guests at a new year's eve party. This provides 81 total servings with a 15% buffer to ensure you don't run out.

How much spirits per person for a new year's eve party?

Plan for 5.4 servings of spirits per person at a new year's eve party. This accounts for the fact that not everyone drinks alcohol and consumption naturally slows as the event progresses.

How many servings are in a bottle of spirits?

One bottle of spirits contains 17 servings. For 15 guests, you'll need 6 bottles to provide 81 total servings.

What percentage of guests will drink spirits at a new year's eve party?

At a new year's eve party with 15 guests, approximately 12 guests (80%) will actively drink. Our formula accounts for this when calculating the 6 bottles you need.

Should I buy extra spirits as a buffer?

Yes! Our calculation of 6 bottles already includes a 15% buffer (1 extra bottles). This ensures you won't run out even if some guests drink more than average. It's always better to have leftovers than to run short.

How long will 6 bottles of spirits last for 15 guests?

6 bottles of spirits will last approximately 5 hours for 15 guests at a new year's eve party. This calculation factors in the natural slowdown of consumption as the event progresses.

Calculate a different drink for this event

🍷 Wine 🍺 Beer 🥂 Champagne 🥃 Spirits viewing

How Much Spirits for a 15 Guest New Year's Eve Party?

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bottles of spirits

For a 15-guest new year's eve party lasting 5 hours

15% buffer included

Total servings

5.4

Per person

Buffer bottles

How We Calculated This

Our bartender-tested formula, step by step

Estimate actual drinkers

15 guests × 80% drinking rate

= 12 drinkers

At small events, about 80% of guests typically drink alcohol.

Calculate base consumption

12 drinkers × 1.5 drinks/hour × 5 hours

= 90 base drinks

Industry standard is 1.5 drinks per person per hour for a 5-hour event.

Apply consumption decay

Adjusted for drinking slowdown over time (decay factor: 3.75)

= 68 adjusted drinks

People drink faster in the first hour and slow down as the event progresses.

Apply new year's eve party modifier

× 1.2 (+20% for spirits)

= 81 spirits servings needed

New Year's Eve Partys typically consume 20% more spirits than average.

Convert to bottles

81 servings ÷ 17 servings per bottle

= 4.8 bottles (raw)

Each bottle of spirits provides 17 servings.

Add 15% buffer & round up

4.8 × 1.15 = 5.5, rounded up

= 6 bottles

Always round up and add a buffer. Running out is worse than having leftovers!

* Why trust this formula?

Based on industry standards and refined by bartenders with 30+ years of experience. We factor in consumption decay (people drink less as events progress) and real-world drinking percentages.

📊 Quick Reference: Spirits by Guest Count

Guests	Spirits Needed	Total Servings
25 guests	10 bottles	135 servings
50 guests	20 bottles	270 servings
75 guests	30 bottles	405 servings
100 guests	40 bottles	540 servings
150 guests	60 bottles	810 servings
200 guests	80 bottles	1080 servings

* All calculations include a 15% buffer. Amounts for new year's eve party.

Your Shopping List

Everything you need, plus essentials you might forget

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Spirits

The main event

bottles

Don't forget these

Mixers (soda, tonic, juice) (Variety is key)

27 liters
Ice (~2 lbs per person)

24 lbs
Cocktail glasses (2 per drinker)

24 glasses
Buy
Garnishes (limes, lemons)

11 pieces

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Pro Tips for Your New Year's Eve Party

Insider advice from experienced bartenders

💡

70% of champagne is consumed between 11:30pm and 12:15am - time your chilling.

⏰

Have champagne COLD and ready to pour at 11:55pm.

🎯

People pace themselves until 10pm then drinking accelerates.

🧊

Late-night parties need designated drivers or Uber - plan ahead.

✨

Noisemakers and party favors should be near the champagne station.

🛒 Buying Guide

This is THE champagne event. Plan 1 bottle per 3-4 guests for the midnight toast, plus additional for cocktails (French 75s, Kir Royale). Have regular bar options for earlier in the evening. Stock more than you think - better to have leftovers than run out at midnight.

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