How Much Iced Tea for 200 People?
Quick Answer
For 200 people at a event, you need approximately 19 gallons of iced tea.
Estimated cost: $38 - $95
How We Calculate
Start with guest count
200 people
Multiply by drinks per person
200 ร 1.5 = 300 total gallons
Convert to purchasing units
300 รท 16 servings per gallon = 19 gallons
Tips for Serving Iced Tea to 200 Guests
- โ Brew ahead and chill overnight
- โ Offer both sweet and unsweetened
- โ Add lemon slices for garnish
- โ Use a drink dispenser for easy serving
- โ Make Arnold Palmers with lemonade
Service Plan for 200 Guests
For a event, plan on approximately 300 total servings over a 4-hour event. Keep a 15-20% buffer so you can handle late arrivals and heavier-than-average consumption.
Since iced tea is often a base beverage, stage replacement stock in coolers so the serving area stays full without crowding guests.
- Prep checklist: 360+ cups, 300+ 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much iced tea do I need for 200 people?
For 200 people at a standard 3-hour party, you need 19 gallons. This is based on 1.5 gallons per person.
What's the cost of iced tea for 200 guests?
Expect to spend $38 - $95 on iced tea for 200 people, based on typical prices of $2-$5 per gallon.
Should I buy extra iced tea?
Yes! We recommend adding 10-15% extra for unexpected guests or heavy drinkers. That's about 3 more gallons.
Editorial Process and Sources
Last reviewed: February 19, 2026
Publisher: FeedMyGuests Editorial Team ยท Contact: contact@feedmyguests.com
This page is generated from structured iced tea consumption baselines and conversion rules, then reviewed for calculation consistency and internal-link quality checks.
Reference Sources
- USDA FoodData Central Retrieved: February 19, 2026
- NIH Rethinking Drinking (standard drink references) Retrieved: February 19, 2026
- FDA Food Safety Guidance Retrieved: February 19, 2026