What to buy for a cocktail tasting for 30 guests

For a cocktail tasting with 30 guests, plan for small pours rather than full-size drinks: around 90 tasting serves if you offer three cocktails per person. Your shopping list needs more than spirits and mixers; ice, water, sample glasses, garnishes and storage containers are easy to underestimate. Buy shelf-stable ingredients several days ahead, then chill fresh ingredients and prepare fruit and garnishes on the day. Keep non-alcoholic options clearly marked from the start.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Cocktail tablesqty 5
Dining tablesqty 3
Chairsqty 30
Bar table
Table linenqty 8

Tableware

Champagne glassesqty 36
Tumbler glassesqty 36
Highball glassesqty 36
Sample glassesqty 36
Water glassesqty 36
Napkin dispensersqty 4

Equipment

Cocktail shakersqty 6
Mixing glassesqty 3
Bar spoonsqty 6
Cocktail strainersqty 6
Muddlersqty 4
Citrus squeezersqty 3
Coolersqty 3
Ice containersqty 4
Bottle openersqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 6
Paring knivesqty 3
Serving traysqty 6
Storage binsqty 12
Whiskqty 2

Decorations

Menusqty 8
Name badgesqty 30
Table decorationsqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 3

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 3
Dishpanqty 2
Microfiber clothsqty 12
Rubber glovesqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Gin - 3 bottles
- Vodka - 2 bottles
- White rum - 2 bottles
- Dark rum - 1 bottle
- Tequila blanco - 2 bottles
- Bourbon - 1 Bottle
- Triple sec - 2 bottles
- Campari - 1 bottle
- Vermouth rosso - 1 bottle
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- Tonic - 12 liters
- Ginger beer - 8 liters
- Ginger ale - 6 liters
- Soda water - 8 liters
- Cola - 6 liters
- Cola Zero - 4 liters
- Cranberry juice - 5 liter
- Pineapple juice - 4 liters
- Grapefruit juice - 4 liters
- Apple juice - 3 liters
- Lemons - 30 pieces
- Limes - 40 pieces
- Oranges - 20 pieces
- Grapefruits - 8 pieces
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Fresh mint - 8 bunches
- Fresh basil - 6 bunches
- Rosemary - 4 bunches
- Ginger - 1 kilogram
- Cherries - 2 jars
- Olives - 3 jars
- Cocktail onions - 2 jars
- Angostura bitters - 2 bottles
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Agave syrup - 2 bottles
- Honey - 1 jar
- Coconut milk - 4 cans
- Alcohol-free tonic - 4 liters
- Non-alcoholic gin - 2 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 1 box
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Salted Nuts - 2 kilograms
- Vegetable sticks - 3 kilogram
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salsa - 4 jars
- Dark chocolate - 1 kilogram
- Ice cubes - 40 kilogram
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls

Tips

Plan around 90 tasting serves for 30 guests if each person tries three cocktails. Check every recipe against that total before buying spirits, mixers, syrups and garnishes.
Buy or arrange at least 60 sample glasses if you will wash and reuse them between rounds; for a smoother tasting, use 90 so each guest can keep one per cocktail.
Arrange ice and chilled storage before shopping. Keep separate ice containers for chilling bottles and serving drinks, and avoid relying on a small household freezer for 30 guests.
Prepare syrups, infusions and cut garnishes no more than 24 hours ahead. Wash and sort fruit in advance, but keep cut citrus covered and refrigerated until the stations open.
Set aside enough water glasses and napkins for all 30 guests, plus clearly marked non-alcoholic ingredients and menu copies at each cocktail station. These supplies are often forgotten when the focus stays on the drinks.

Frequently asked questions

How many cocktails do I need for a tasting for 30 people?: For three tasting cocktails per guest, plan for about 90 tasting serves. Use the recipe quantities for one serve to calculate the total amount of each spirit, mixer, syrup and garnish.
How many glasses do I need for a cocktail tasting?: For 30 guests and three rounds, 90 sample glasses lets you serve without washing during the tasting. If you are reusing glasses between rounds, have at least 60 available and allow time for washing and drying.
How much ice should I buy for 30 guests?: Set aside roughly 1 to 1.5 kilograms of ice per guest when drinks are shaken, stirred and used to chill bottles, so 30 to 45 kilograms in total. Buy or collect it close to the event and store it in dedicated ice containers.
When should I prepare cocktail garnishes?: Wash and sort fruit the day before, then cut garnishes and prepare fresh citrus on the day of the tasting. Keep them covered and refrigerated until the cocktail stations are ready, ideally no more than 4 hours before guests arrive.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.