How Many Bottles of Water for a Party of 100 Guests? Planning Tips

How Many Bottles of Water Do You Need for a Party of 100 Guests?

When hosting a party, providing enough drinks for your guests is an important consideration. Water is a staple beverage that should be available in abundance. But how many bottles of water do you need for 100 party guests? Here's a guide to help you figure out the right amount.

Calculate How Much Water Each Person Will Drink

As a general rule of thumb, plan on each person drinking around 16 ounces (2 cups) of water at a party. However, this can vary based on factors like:

The length of the party - If it's a few hours long, guests may drink less than if it's an all day affair.
The weather - In hot weather people tend to drink more.
The activities - If guests are dancing and mingling, they'll likely drink more than at a sit down dinner.

Given these factors, it's smart to estimate on the higher side. Plan for each guest to drink 20-24 ounces (2.5-3 cups) of water at a party. For 100 guests, that equals:

2,000 ounces (125 cups) at 20 ounces each
2,400 ounces (150 cups) at 24 ounces each

Decode How Many Bottles You Need

Next, you'll need to purchase water bottles to meet this demand. Bottle sizes vary, but these are some of the most common options:

12 ounce bottle
16.9 ounce (half liter) bottle
24 ounce bottle
1 liter (33.8 ounce) bottle
1.5 liter bottle

Here's how many bottles of each size you'd need for 100 party guests drinking 2,000-2,400 ounces of water:

12 ounce bottles: 167-200 bottles
16.9 ounce bottles: 118-142 bottles
24 ounce bottles: 83-100 bottles
1 liter bottles: 59-71 bottles
1.5 liter bottles: 40-48 bottles

As you can see, the larger bottle sizes require fewer total bottles, which can save on costs and storage space.

Factor In Any Other Beverages

Keep in mind your water calculation is solely for drinking water. If you're also providing other beverages like sodas, juices, coffee, tea, or alcohol, you may not need quite as much bottled water.

As a general guideline, plan on water making up 50-75% of total beverage consumption. So if you're also supplying other drinks, you'd only need to purchase 50-75% of the water amounts listed above. Just be sure to have some extra on hand.

Buy an Assortment of Bottle Sizes

Rather than purchasing all one size, get an assortment of small and larger bottles. This gives guests options to take a small water to walk around with or grab a larger bottle for guzzling while seated.

A good mix for 100 guests would be:

48-50 of the 16.9 ounce bottles
50 of the 24 ounce bottles
25 of the 1 liter bottles

Having options allows people to choose the right amount to meet their needs.

Have Extras On Hand

It's always wise to overestimate water needs and have extra bottles on hand. You want to make sure you don't run out. Leftover water can be saved for future events or everyday household needs.

Buy 5-10% more bottles than your final target amount. So for 100 guests with a target of 125 bottles, pick up 130-135 bottles to be safe.

Chill the Water Ahead of Time

For the best tasting and most refreshing drinking water, make sure you chill it thoroughly ahead of the party. Keep it stored in coolers, buckets with ice, refrigerators, or freezer space.

If refrigeration space is limited, prioritize chilling the smaller bottles people will be drinking from right away. The larger bottles can be kept at room temperature.

You may also want to place a few bottles in the freezer 1-2 days before the party. That way you have icy cold water ready at the start, as the rest chills.

Have Cups Available Too

While bottled water is convenient, some guests may prefer to drink from a cup. Keep a supply of plastic cups next to the bottled water so people can easily pour their own.

You'll also need cups for any water stations used to refill the smaller bottles as needed. Eco-friendly options like compostable cups are a great choice.

Station Water in Multiple Locations

To make water easy for guests to access, station it in several locations around the party area. Popular spots include:

Near food and buffet tables
By the dance floor
Near seating areas
Outside if part of the event is outdoors

Also have a few bottles stashed by the bathrooms so people can grab one on their way back to the party.

Offer Infused Water for Flavor

For an extra refreshment twist, provide infused water. Simply add sliced fruit like lemons, limes, oranges or cucumbers to a pitcher or dispenser. Let it infuse at least 2 hours so the flavor comes through.

Herbs like mint, basil and thyme also make tasty infused water options.

Stay Hydrated and Have Fun!

By now you know roughly how many bottles of water you need for 100 party guests. The key is planning ahead, purchasing extra, keeping water cold and stationed around the party. Follow these tips and your guests will stay refreshed and hydrated.

Most importantly, remember to have fun and enjoy the party yourself! Making sure people have plenty of refreshing water is just one less thing you need to worry about.

FAQs

How much water should I plan for each guest to drink?

Plan for each guest to drink 20-24 ounces (2.5-3 cups) of water at the party. This allows for variations in the length of the event, weather, and activities.

What's the best water bottle size to buy?

Get an assortment of bottle sizes like 16.9oz, 24oz, and 1 liter. This gives guests options for walking around or guzzling while seated. Have more small bottles than large.

Should I chill all the water ahead of time?

Yes, chill as much as possible for the best taste. If refrigerator space is limited, prioritize chilling the smaller bottles people will drink right away.

Where should I place the water at the party?

Station water in multiple spots like near food, seating, the dance floor, and outdoors. Have some bottles by bathrooms too.

How can I add flavor to the water?

Offer infused water by adding sliced fruit, herbs, and citrus to pitchers or dispensers. Let it infuse for at least 2 hours before the party.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.