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Parties

Basic Tips | How Much to Buy | What Kinds of Spirits | Responsible Hosting Tips | Make it Easy for Non-Drinkers | Don't Focus on Consumption | Winding Down | Getting Home Safely

Party Planning Tips

Whether you're throwing a social, planning a wedding reception, or putting together the office Christmas party, there are always many questions with respect to the beverage alcohol you plan to serve, and the responsibilities associated with being a host. The tips in this section will help you with your planning.

Basic Tips

• If you're selling alcohol or inviting many guests to a location other than your home, you may need a permit. Decide what kind of party you're having
• Choose a good menu of beverages. You can use our recipes page to look up the ingredients for any drink, and our online spirits types guide to find out what brands are available or simply contact us.
• Decide how many guests you'll invite. This will help determine how much of everything you'll need. Contact us to calculate how much to buy, and do your shopping well in advance at any of our locations to make sure you don't get caught short.
• Always greet your guests at the door.
• Take their coats yourself, or at least show them where to hang them. Remember to introduce new arrivals to everyone. At larger parties, introduce them to a few of the other guests.
• Serve cocktails before dinner at dinner parties, and highballs after.
• Punch is an easy way to provide a continuous supply of inexpensive drinks to many guests at once.

"To good friends."
"To good friends."

How Much to Buy?

Here's a guide to help you decide how much liquor you'll need:

Once you know how much to buy, you still have to decide which kinds of alcohol to buy. After all, what will people want? About half of all people express a preference for beer. The rest of the party-goers will be more or less equally interested in mixed drinks and wine.

You can manually calculate the alcohol you need. First, estimate how many people will be drinking at the event. Second, multiply this number by four (most people drink 2 to 3 standard drinks at a party. We estimate one extra drink per person so that you won't run out!). This tells you the number of standard drinks you need to accommodate. Next, translate this standard drinks number into the different kinds of drinks. A bottle of beer provides one drink, a 750ml bottle of wine provides five drinks, and a 750ml bottle of any spirit is about 17 drinks.

Finally, multiply those numbers by the preference percentages above (50% beer, 25% wine, 25% spirits) and you have a shopping breakdown of the alcohol you need to buy.

For example, a typical selection for a party of 100 people would be 400 standard drinks, distributed in this way: . 200 12-oz. bottles of beer (200 drinks) AND . 20 750ml bottles of table wine (100 drinks) AND . 6 750 ml bottles of spirits (100 drinks)

What Kinds of Spirits?

It may help you to remember that the most common spirits are these. (All values are approximate, and fluctuate from season to season) . Whisky . Vodka . Rum . Scotch . Gin . Tequila . Vermouth (for martinis and manhattans) . Other (aperitifs, liqueurs) A number of aperitifs and liqueurs are very popular, including Bailey's Irish Cream and Kahlua, both of which are often served with milk or coffee. That's right, don't forget milk, cola, orange juice, tonic water, soda water, and all the other mixes that make mixed drinks great, and don't forget to get extra soft drinks for non-drinkers and designated drivers.

Of course, if you're having a theme party, you may want theme drinks, so this math may not apply. A South Seas Barbeque might need more rum and tequila, for example.

Responsible Hosting Tips

No one wants memories of a great party to be marred by the tragedy of a traffic accident, the result of drinking and driving. That's why we've included the following hosting tips you may want to try at your next party. After all, you'll want your friends to relax and have a good time... and arrive home safely.

Make it Easy for Non-Drinkers

Keep alternative beverages on hand for non-drinkers and designated drivers. Fruit juices, pop, cocktails and non-alcoholic punches are proven favorites with non-drinkers.

If someone turns down an alcoholic drink, remember to accept it as a response and not pressure him or her. People sometimes find it difficult to refuse a drink, so always offer an alternative like pop or juice instead.

Don't Focus on Consumption

Focus your gathering on activities other than drinking. Introduce dancing or party games to keep your guests interested and occupied.

Don't pour doubles. Always measure one ounce of liquor into drinks so that your guests know how much they're consuming. If you're too busy to mix drinks yourself, you might think about asking a responsible person to look after it for you. Or, if your party is large enough, you may want to hire someone to perform this duty. In any case, try to avoid an open bar where guests help themselves.

Winding Down

Try putting the liquor away at least an hour before you expect your guests to leave. Finish off the evening with hot beverages and a tasty snack.

Remember, too, that only time (not coffee!) can overcome the effects of alcohol.

Getting Home Safely

Research shows that alcohol is involved in one of every two fatal car crashes. Alcohol is also involved in three of every ten accidents that result in injury.

Get everyone home safely!

We realize that this information wouldn't be foremost on the minds of everyone planning or attending a happy occasion like a party or social event. But without safe transportation home, these statistics could become a tragic personal reality. As well, a legal responsibility exists. As the host of a house party or as the organizer of a large social event, you may be held responsible if your guests leave the event after consuming alcohol and become involved in an accident.

If you're arranging a house party or social outing where alcohol will be served, make sure that you also plan on your guests arriving home safely. Encourage your guests to arrange designated drivers before the party.

If designated drivers haven't been planned in advance, or failed to attend as expected, you might want to consider arranging several options for driving home guests that have become impaired. Options can include cab rides, or rides from family members. If you can't get your guest home safely, insist that he or she stay at your home overnight. A little embarrassment is a small price to pay to avoid a drinking and driving tragedy.