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Non-Alcoholic

How Much Lemonade for 40 People?

Quick Answer

For 40 people at a large party, you need approximately 4 gallons of lemonade.

Estimated cost: $12 - $24

4 gallons

for 40 people

Estimated cost: $12 - $24

How We Calculate

1

Start with guest count

40 people

2

Multiply by drinks per person

40 ร— 1.5 = 60 total gallons

3

Convert to purchasing units

60 รท 16 servings per gallon = 4 gallons

Tips for Serving Lemonade to 40 Guests

  • โœ“ Fresh-squeezed tastes best but takes time
  • โœ“ Add mint or berries for variety
  • โœ“ Can spike with vodka for adults
  • โœ“ Keep very cold with lots of ice
  • โœ“ Pink lemonade is popular with kids

Service Plan for 40 Guests

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 lemonade 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much lemonade do I need for 40 people?

For 40 people at a standard 3-hour party, you need 4 gallons. This is based on 1.5 gallons per person.

What's the cost of lemonade for 40 guests?

Expect to spend $12 - $24 on lemonade for 40 people, based on typical prices of $3-$6 per gallon.

Should I buy extra lemonade?

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 lemonade consumption baselines and conversion rules, then reviewed for calculation consistency and internal-link quality checks.

Reference Sources

Lemonade for Other Party Sizes