How Much Ice to Have at a Party

Quick math for cold drinks

So chill... your drinks will stay

When throwing a party, it's important to have enough ice on hand to keep everyone's drinks cold. But how much do you need? And what kind of ice chest or bucket will you need to hold it all? We're here to help you figure out just how much ice you'll need for your next get together.

how much ice do i need for having people over

How many guests are coming?

To start, think about how many guests you'll have. Then, consider how many beverages each person is likely to drink. If you're serving mixed drinks or iced coffee, you'll need more ice than if you're just serving canned soda, sparkling water, kombucha or beer. And of course, if it's a hot day (or if your party is outdoors), people will probably drink more iced beverages than if it's a colder day or your party is indoors.

What will hold the ice?

Next, consider what kind of ice chest or bucket you'll be using. If it's a small cooler, you won't need as much ice as if you're using a large bin. Also, think about whether your guests will be serving themselves, or if you'll have someone assigned to dole out drinks. If it's the latter, you might want to get a little extra ice so that your helper can top off glasses as needed.

How much ice per drink?

Generally, parties report about a ½ pound of ice per glass. So if a guest has three drinks, that is 1.5 pounds of ice. If your party has 10 guests, you can estimate 15 lbs of ice. A small algebra equation for our Hermione Grangers out there:

X = 0.5 (D) x G

X = pounds of ice
D = number of drinks
G = number of guests

Consider the elements

Finally, keep in mind that ice melts, unless you're throwing an outdoor Apres Ski party in Aspen, of course. So if your party is going to last a while, or if it's particularly hot outside, you might want to get a little extra ice to account for the melting.

With all of these factors in mind, you should have a good idea of how much ice you'll need for your party. So go ahead and fill that cooler (or bucket) and enjoy your event!

For more tips on hosting a great party, check these out:

‍

shop now

featured parties

Hanukkalikimaka

Hanukkalikimaka is a dinner party that Kiki Aranita and her husband Ari Miller love to throw around the holidays. It infuses Hanukkah classics (like roast goose and latkes) with aloha spirit. It's a marriage of cultures.

BYOF Friendsgiving

Friendsgiving: the perfect excuse for a second Thanksgiving, but better with your chosen fam. Host effortlessly with Batch’s marketplace of to-your-door party pros—chefs, servers, and more. Relax, enjoy, and leave the stress (and mess) to them!

Cinnamon Spice and All Things Naughty and Nice

A flirty, naughty, not-nice affair. Drink an extra cocktail and you may forget Santa’s bringing you coal this year. Makes a great late-night gathering courtesy of our friends at Shaker & Spoon.

Shabbat Dinner Party

Hit pause and reconnect with loved ones this weekend with light, airy decor, warm bread, and relaxing company.

Hi-Fi Holiday

A retro Christmas shindig with all the flair! Bright pops of color, metallic sheen, irresistible dishes and drinks that will make you flip your lid! Fun for a holiday party, Christmas party, or even a New Years Eve (NYE) party.

Holiday Cookie Baking Extravaganza

Realize your inner Holiday Baking Championship dreams! Gather your fellow bakers and workshop helpers for a festive and fun day of making all things delicious. Ready...Set...BAKE!

Wreath Making Party

Welcome in winter with a fun and fragrant wreath making party that will put everyone in the ho-ho-holiday spirit.

Potluck

A potluck is always a good idea. Remove the stress of needing to cook and just invite your favorite people to share their favorite dishes. We love setting a theme and asking each guest to bring a dish to share.

Thank you for your submission!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Start the party

For each party, our professional event planners have curated, styled, schemed, and planned so we can hand over everything you need to know to throw incredible gatherings.

Get started