What to buy for a gin tasting

A gin tasting needs more than a few bottles and tonic. You will need enough tasting glasses, chilled mixers, ice, water, garnishes, snacks and printed tasting cards for every guest. Buy the drinks early enough to check your stock, collect dietary requirements and chill the gins and mixers before people arrive. This list also covers the serving equipment that is easy to overlook, from jiggers and bar spoons to coolers and water carafes.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 45
Bar stoolsqty 6
Buffet tableqty 2

Tableware

Tumbler glassesqty 100
Wine glassesqty 50
Water glassesqty 50
Platesqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Serving traysqty 12
Water carafesqty 8

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Bluetooth speaker
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Kitchen

Cocktail shakersqty 3
Jiggersqty 4
Bar spoonsqty 4
Bar stoolsqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knifeqty 3
Ice tongsqty 4
Ice basketsqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 3
Serving tongsqty 6
Cooler thermometersqty 2

Decorations

Table runnersqty 8
Menu standsqty 8
Table décorqty 8
Welcome sign
Round signsqty 50

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 4
LED table lampsqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Washing-up basinsqty 3
Broom and dustpan
Mop set
Cleaning glovesqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Gin tasting bottles - 10 bottles
- Alcohol-free gin - 3 bottles
- Tonic Original - 12 bottles
- Tonic light - 8 bottles
- Tonic elderflower - 6 bottles
- Ginger ale - 6 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 liter
- Orange juice - 4 liters
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Limes - 3 kilos
- Oranges - 3 kilos
- Grapefruits - 2 kilos
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Fresh mint - 6 bunches
- Fresh rosemary - 4 bunches
- Juniper berries - 250 grams
- Pink peppercorns - 150 grams
- Dried orange - 2 bags
- Ice cubes - 25 kilos
- Olives - 2 kilos
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilos
- Almonds - 1 kilo
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Goat cheese - 1 kilo
- Aged cheese - 1.5 kilos
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 3 kilos
- Figs - 2 kilos
- Cucumber - 2 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Bell peppers - 2 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Gluten-free bread - 2 loaves
- Crackers - 6 packs
- Gluten-free crackers - 2 packs
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 grinder
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Cocktail picks - 200 pieces
- Practice card paper - 60 sheets
- Name stickers - 60 pieces
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Tea towels - 12 pieces

Tips

Plan one tasting glass per gin per guest, plus at least one water glass per person. If you are serving four gins to 10 guests, prepare 40 tasting glasses and 10 water glasses.
Allow two to three small pours per person for each gin, then add one spare bottle or mixer portion when you shop. Check bottle sizes against your guest count rather than relying on a single standard serving.
Buy ice in two batches: enough for chilling the bottles and mixers, and a separate supply for the drinks. Keep the second batch in ice baskets or coolers so it does not melt into the serving ice.
Prepare one tasting card and one pen per guest, and print them before the day of the event. Put the cards at the tasting stations before opening the bottles, so guests can follow the tasting order.
Wash and cut fruit, then portion the garnishes before guests arrive. Keep snacks, plates, cutlery and serving tongs ready at the buffet table, including options that match the dietary requirements you collected.

Frequently asked questions

How many gin bottles do I need for a gin tasting?: For a tasting of four gins, plan two to three small pours of each gin per guest. For 10 guests, that means 40 pours in total; check the bottle size and add a spare bottle if the event includes full drinks afterward.
How many glasses do I need for a gin tasting?: Use one tasting glass per gin per guest, plus one water glass per person. Four gins for 10 guests therefore require 40 tasting glasses and 10 water glasses, unless you plan to wash and reuse glasses between rounds.
How much ice should I buy for a gin tasting?: Buy enough ice for both bottle chilling and serving, and keep those supplies separate. As a starting point, allow about 1 kilogram of ice per 4 to 5 guests for drinks, then add extra for the coolers and allow it to arrive before setup.
When should I buy and chill the gin tasting supplies?: Order the gins, mixers and catering several days ahead, then check the stock at least 24 hours before the tasting. Chill the bottles and mixers several hours before guests arrive, and prepare fruit and garnishes on the day.

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