Planning Drinks and Appetizers
Cocktail hours and appetizer-only events follow different rules than full meal service. The standard guideline is 6-8 appetizer bites per person per hour. For a 2-hour cocktail reception, that means 12-16 pieces per guest spread across your selected items. If the event replaces a meal, increase to 10-12 pieces per person per hour.
Beverage consumption follows a predictable pattern: guests drink approximately 2 beverages in the first hour and about 1 per hour after that. For a 2-hour event, plan 3 drinks per person. Always provide water and at least one non-alcoholic option even when serving alcohol. A good rule is 70% of your beverage order should be the most popular options (beer, wine, or signature cocktails) with 30% split among alternatives.
Variety matters for appetizers. Offer a mix of hot and cold items, proteins and vegetables, and different textures. Five to seven different appetizer options is ideal for most cocktail hours—enough variety to interest guests without overwhelming your prep work or budget.