What to Buy for a Cocktail Workshop

A cocktail workshop needs more than spirits and mixers. You’ll need enough ice, glasses, garnishes, water and bar tools for every workstation, plus ingredients portioned so guests can start mixing without waiting. Plan quantities around the number of participants and the recipes on your menu. Buy fresh fruit and herbs as close to the workshop as possible, and chill drinks and mixers several hours before guests arrive.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Cocktail tablesqty 6
Work tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 30
Bar unit
Waste binsqty 4

Tableware

Cocktail glassesqty 40
Highball glassesqty 40
Water glassesqty 40
Platesqty 40
Forksqty 40
Napkin holderqty 6

Equipment

Cocktail shakersqty 12
Bar towelsqty 12
Bar spoonsqty 12
Cocktail strainersqty 12
Muddlerqty 12
Citrus squeezersqty 6
Blendersqty 3
Coolersqty 4
Ice containersqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 12
Small bowlsqty 24
Pliersqty 6
Bottle openersqty 6
Trash bins with lidsqty 2

Decorations

Menu boardsqty 3
Table runnersqty 6
Name badgesqty 35

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Table lampsqty 6

Cleaning

Washing-up tubsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Mopsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Gin - 5 bottles
- White rum - 4 bottles
- Tequila - 3 bottles
- Vodka - 3 bottles
- Triple sec - 3 bottles
- Bourbon - 2 bottles
- Tonic - 12 bottles
- Ginger beer - 12 bottles
- Soda water - 10 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Grapefruit juice - 8 liters
- Pineapple juice - 6 liters
- Cranberry juice - 6 liters
- Lime juice - 4 liters
- Lemon juice - 3 liters
- Alcohol-free gin - 3 bottles
- Alcohol-free sparkling wine - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 5 liters
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Cane sugar - 1 kilo
- Ice cubes - 35 kilo
- Lemons - 30 pieces
- Limes - 50 pieces
- Oranges - 20 pieces
- Grapefruits - 12 pieces
- Fresh mint - 12 bunches
- Fresh basil - 6 bunches
- Rosemary - 6 bunches
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Cherries - 3 jars
- Olives - 3 jars
- Cocktail onions - 3 jars
- Agave syrup - 2 bottles
- Sugar syrup - 3 bottles
- Angostura bitters - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Chili powder - 1 jar
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Mixed nuts - 3 kilo
- Olive mix - 3 kilos
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salsa - 6 jars
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Vegetable sticks - 4 kilos
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Cocktail picks - 500 pieces
- Straws - 200 pieces
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Cling film - 2 rolls

Tips

Allow two to three welcome drinks per person for the first hour, then calculate each cocktail recipe by the number of registered participants. Buy 10% extra ingredients for spills, over-pouring and second attempts.
Provide at least 1.5 to 2 kilograms of ice per participant for a hands-on workshop. Keep extra ice in coolers or ice containers rather than relying on the small amount that fits in each workstation’s shaker.
Prepare one cocktail glass or highball glass per planned serving, plus at least 10% spare glasses. Add water glasses for every guest because tasting several cocktails without water becomes uncomfortable quickly.
Buy fresh citrus, herbs and garnish ingredients one day before the workshop, then prepare them shortly before opening. Pre-cut fruit loses quality quickly, while unwashed or unportioned garnishes slow every station down.
Give each workstation its own shaker, bar spoon, strainer, muddler, citrus squeezer, measuring cup and cutting board. Print one recipe card per station and keep 2 to 3 spare copies at the welcome table.

Frequently asked questions

How much ice do I need for a cocktail workshop?: Plan on 1.5 to 2 kilograms of ice per participant for a workshop where guests shake, stir and chill drinks themselves. Buy at least 10% extra if the venue is warm or ice delivery is uncertain.
How many glasses do I need for a cocktail workshop?: Provide one suitable cocktail or highball glass for each planned serving, plus 10% spare glasses. For 20 participants making two drinks, prepare at least 44 cocktail glasses or the correct combination of glass types for the recipes.
How much alcohol should I buy for a cocktail workshop?: Calculate the recipe quantities for every registered participant and add 10% for spills and repeat attempts. A 700 ml bottle contains about 23 portions of 30 ml, so check the total number of measures before shopping.
When should I buy fruit and herbs for a cocktail workshop?: Buy fruit and herbs one day before the workshop and prepare them on the day itself. Keep cut garnishes chilled, and avoid preparing delicate herbs more than a few hours before guests arrive.

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