Three "Musts" When Buying Liquor For A Party
Buying liquor for a party can be both exciting and overwhelming. The better idea you have of what you're really doing, the easier time you'll have to buy the liquor you need. So, what are the big "musts" when buying liquor for a party? Take a look below.
Must #1: Know what your guests tend to drink.
You don't have to know every guest's exact beverage preferences, but it is important to have a general idea of what your guests prefer to drink. For example, you don't want to buy a bunch of liquor for a wine-and-beer crowd. If you don't know your guests' drink preferences at all, consider sending out a simple survey. Ask guests to check whether they're most interested in drinking wine, beer, or liquor. This way, you can shop with your guests' preferences in mind.
Must #2: Set a budget.
It's really easy to overspend on liquor if you don't set a budget. So, it's a good idea to know, from day one, how much you can afford to spend. This will guide your purchases. Say, for example, you can only spend $200 on liquor. Then, you might reach for the middle-shelf bottles. On the other hand, if you can afford to spend $500 on liquor for a party of 10, you may be reaching for some top-shelf bottles. You won't, however, be faced with a lot of regrets because you spent more than you could afford on a simple party.
Must #3: Calculating how much you need.
Once you have a good idea of how many guests will be attending, you need to calculate how much liquor you need to buy. A good rule of thumb is to allow for five drinks per person. Some will drink less than this, and some might drink more. But by allowing for five drinks, you should never come up short or have too much leftover. Do make sure you include a variety as you calculate how much you need. For example, if you plan on having 20 guests, you will need a total of 100 drinks. That could be two bottles of liquor, 2 bottles of wine, and a case of beer. Or, it could be 1 bottle of liquor, 4 bottles of wine, and a 12-pack, depending on your guests' preferences.
When buying liquor for a party, make sure you keep the ideas above in mind. If you do, the experience should go smoothly.