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
How We Calculate
Start with guest count
40 people
Multiply by drinks per person
40 ร 1.5 = 60 total gallons
Convert to purchasing units
60 รท 16 servings per gallon = 4 gallons
Tips for Serving Lemonade to 40 Guests
- โ Fresh-squeezed tastes best but takes time
- โ Add mint or berries for variety
- โ Can spike with vodka for adults
- โ Keep very cold with lots of ice
- โ 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
- 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