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Spirits

How Much Rum for 40 People?

Quick Answer

For 40 people at a large party, you need approximately 5 750ml bottles of rum.

Estimated cost: $75 - $175

5 750ml bottles

for 40 people

Estimated cost: $75 - $175

How We Calculate

1

Start with guest count

40 people

2

Multiply by drinks per person

40 ร— 2 = 80 total 750ml bottles

3

Convert to purchasing units

80 รท 17 servings per 750ml bottle = 5 750ml bottles

Tips for Serving Rum to 40 Guests

  • โœ“ Have both white and dark rum for variety
  • โœ“ Stock cola, lime juice, and mint for mojitos
  • โœ“ Coconut rum is great for fruity drinks
  • โœ“ Pre-make simple syrup for cocktails
  • โœ“ Fresh lime juice makes a huge difference

Service Plan for 40 Guests

For a large party, plan on approximately 80 total servings over a 3-hour event. Keep a 10-15% buffer so you can handle late arrivals and heavier-than-average consumption.

Because rum is typically served alongside other drinks, set a second non-alcoholic option to avoid over-concentration on a single beverage and reduce stockout risk.

  • Prep checklist: 96+ 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 rum do I need for 40 people?

For 40 people at a standard 3-hour party, you need 5 750ml bottles. This is based on 2 750ml bottles per person.

What's the cost of rum for 40 guests?

Expect to spend $75 - $175 on rum for 40 people, based on typical prices of $15-$35 per 750ml bottle.

Should I buy extra rum?

Yes! We recommend adding 10-15% extra for unexpected guests or heavy drinkers. That's about 1 more 750ml bottles.

Editorial Process and Sources

Last reviewed: February 19, 2026

Publisher: FeedMyGuests Editorial Team ยท Contact: contact@feedmyguests.com

This page is generated from structured rum consumption baselines and conversion rules, then reviewed for calculation consistency and internal-link quality checks.

Reference Sources

Rum for Other Party Sizes