What to buy for a cocktail tasting

A cocktail tasting needs more than bottles and glasses. You will need small tasting glasses, plenty of ice, mixers, garnishes, water and the tools to measure and serve each recipe consistently. Plan for two to three small samples per guest per hour, then buy extra ingredients for spills, testing and late arrivals. Check dietary requirements before buying fresh ingredients, and arrange chilled drinks, syrups and garnishes close to serving time.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Cocktail tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 30
Buffet tablesqty 2
Tableclothsqty 8

Tableware

Sample glassesqty 180
Highball glassesqty 40
Water glassesqty 40
Signsqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 40
Cocktail spoonsqty 12
Strawsqty 100

Equipment

Cocktail shakersqty 6
Jiggersqty 6
Bar stoolsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 6
Blendersqty 2
Ice Cube Machines
Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef’s knives and paring knivesqty 6
Citrus squeezersqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring jugsqty 6
Bar spoonsqty 6
Pliersqty 6
Garnish cupsqty 12
Ice spoonsqty 4

Decorations

Cocktail menusqty 12
Name badgesqty 35
Table numbersqty 8
Vasesqty 8
Buntingqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
LED candlesqty 20

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Dishpanqty 2
Cleaning bucketsqty 2
Broom and dustpan
Mop
Reusable dish towelsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Gin - 3 bottles
- Vodka - 2 bottles
- White rum - 2 bottles
- Tequila - 1 bottle
- Bourbon - 1 Bottle
- Triple sec - 1 bottle
- Vermouth rosso - 1 bottle
- Campari - 1 bottle
- Angostura bitters - 1 bottle
- Tonic - 8 liters
- Ginger beer - 6 liters
- Ginger ale - 4 liters
- Cola - 4 liters
- Cola Zero - 3 liter
- Soda water - 6 liters
- Bitter lemon - 3 liters
- Pineapple juice - 3 liters
- Cranberry juice - 3 liters
- Orange juice - 3 liters
- Grapefruit juice - 2 liters
- Lime juice - 2 liters
- Lemon juice - 2 liters
- Passion fruit purée - 2 liters
- Grenadine - 1 bottle
- Sugar syrup - 2 bottles
- Agave syrup - 1 bottle
- Coconut cream - 2 liters
- Non-alcoholic gin - 2 bottles
- Alcohol-free sparkling wine - 3 bottles
- Limes - 30 pieces
- Lemons - 20 pieces
- Oranges - 12 pieces
- Grapefruits - 6 pieces
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Fresh mint - 10 bunches
- Fresh basil - 6 bunches
- Rosemary - 4 bunches
- Cherries - 2 jars
- Olives - 2 jars
- Cane sugar - 1 kilo
- Granulated sugar - 1 kilo
- Sea salt - 1 pack
- Chili powder - 1 jar
- Cinnamon - 1 jar
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Spa Blue - 12 liters
- Paprika chips - 3 bags
- Plain chips - 3 bags
- Salted nuts - 2 kilos
- Mixed olives - 2 kilos
- Cheese cubes - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Crackers - 6 packs
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Vegetable sticks - 3 kilos
- Lemon zest - 4 sachets
- Cocktail cherries - 3 jars
- Ice cubes - 30 kilo
- Dishwashing liquid - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Hand soap - 2 dispensers
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Parchment paper - 1 roll

Tips

Plan 2–3 tasting samples per person per hour, plus one extra batch of ingredients for recipe testing and accidental spills. Smaller sample glasses help guests taste several cocktails without overpouring.
Buy or prepare at least 500 ml of water per guest. Place water glasses and snacks where guests can reach them without interrupting the cocktail station.
Chill bottled drinks and mixers at least 4 hours before guests arrive. Keep a separate cooler for ice so it does not absorb food or garnish smells.
Prepare fresh citrus and garnishes no more than 2–3 hours before serving. Portion them into garnish cups and keep cut fruit covered and chilled.
Set aside one jigger, shaker, bar spoon, cutting board and citrus squeezer for each active mixing station. Print cocktail cards before setup so recipes are not being checked on a phone during the tasting.

Frequently asked questions

How much alcohol do I need for a cocktail tasting?: For tasting pours of about 60–90 ml per cocktail, plan on 2–3 samples per guest per hour. Buy enough base spirits and mixers for the full guest count, then add around 10% for testing and waste.
How many tasting glasses do I need per person?: Allow 1 tasting glass per cocktail being served at the same time, or 2 glasses per guest if you are comparing two drinks side by side. For a three-cocktail flight, 3 glasses per guest avoids constant washing.
How much ice should I buy for a cocktail tasting?: Plan on 1–1.5 kg of ice per guest for a tasting with shaken, stirred and chilled drinks. Have extra ice ready for chilling bottles and filling coolers; melted ice cannot be reused for serving.
When should I prepare cocktail garnishes?: Cut citrus and portion garnishes 2–3 hours before the tasting. Prepare syrups and mixers the day before when possible, then chill drinks and set out fresh garnishes shortly before guests arrive.

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