Ask any bartender what runs out first at a party, and the answer is almost always ice. Here's how to make sure you have enough.
The simple rule
Plan for about 1 pound of ice per guest for drinks at an indoor event, and about 2 pounds per guest outdoors or in warm weather. If you're also chilling cans and bottles in tubs, add more on top.
Quick reference
These figures assume a four-hour event; longer events and hot, humid days push them up. Most stores sell ice in 10- or 20-pound bags.
| Guests | Indoor, for drinks | Outdoors or warm weather | | --- | --- | --- | | 25 | 25 lb | 50 lb | | 50 | 50 lb | 100 lb | | 100 | 100 lb | 200 lb |
If you're chilling cans and bottles in tubs, add roughly 0.5 to 1 lb per guest on top, and separate that from drinking ice.
Separate your ice
Keep drinking ice and chilling ice apart. Ice used to cool bottles in a tub gets handled and isn't meant for glasses. Store clean drinking ice in its own cooler with a scoop, and plan for somewhere cold to keep anything pre-chilled.
Keep it cold
Buy ice as close to the event as possible, keep coolers closed and out of the sun, and drain meltwater from tubs only when needed, since a little icy water actually chills cans faster.
Consider specialty ice
Large cubes or spheres make cocktails look beautiful and melt slowly, which is perfect for whiskey drinks or a signature old fashioned.
Plan the ice with your drinks
When you book with Shake & Gather, we help you plan ice right along with your drinks. Full-service packages include ice along with package-specific mixers and non-alcoholic beverages. Contact us at info.shakeandgather@gmail.com or 217-374-9985.
