How Much Iced Tea for 60 People?
Quick Answer
For 60 people at a event, you need approximately 6 gallons of iced tea.
Estimated cost: $12 - $30
How We Calculate
Start with guest count
60 people
Multiply by drinks per person
60 ร 1.5 = 90 total gallons
Convert to purchasing units
90 รท 16 servings per gallon = 6 gallons
Tips for Serving Iced Tea to 60 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 60 Guests
For a event, plan on approximately 90 total servings over a 3-hour event. Keep a 10-15% 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: 108+ cups, 90+ 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 60 people?
For 60 people at a standard 3-hour party, you need 6 gallons. This is based on 1.5 gallons per person.
What's the cost of iced tea for 60 guests?
Expect to spend $12 - $30 on iced tea for 60 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 1 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