How Much Ice for 40 People?

For a large party, plan on approximately 60 total servings over a 3-hour event. Keep a 10-15% buffer so you can handle late arrivals and heavier-than-average consumption.

Since ice is often a base beverage, stage replacement stock in coolers so the serving area stays full without crowding guests.

• Prep checklist: 72+ cups, 60+ lbs of ice, and backup storage nearby.
• Chill strategy: pre-chill at least 70% before service to reduce ice melt and dilution.
• Replenishment cadence: refresh serving stations every 30-45 minutes instead of all at once.