Hosting a crowd? Plan 1 to 1.5 cups (8 oz mugs) of hot apple cider per guest — 20 guests need about 30 cups, or 2 gallons. Use the calculator below to get exact amounts of cider, cinnamon, oranges, brown sugar and cloves, plus a copyable shopping list.
Serving size is a standard 8 oz mug.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter guests.
- Choose cups per person — 1.5 is a good default, 2 for cold outdoor parties.
- Click Calculate and copy the shopping list.
Example: 20 guests x 1.5 cups = 30 cups, buy 2 gallons, 8 cinnamon sticks, 2 oranges, 4 tbsp brown sugar, 8 cloves.
Note: if inputs are empty or out of range, a friendly message appears instead of a result.
FAQ
How much hot apple cider do I need per person?
Plan 1 to 1.5 cups (8 oz mugs) per guest for the first hour, then about 1 cup per extra hour. Cold-weather outdoor parties: use 2 cups per person.
How many gallons of cider do I need for 20 guests?
20 guests x 1.5 cups = 30 cups, about 1.9 gallons, so buy 2 gallons. Add 8 cinnamon sticks, 2 oranges, 4 tablespoons brown sugar and 8 whole cloves.
Can I make hot apple cider ahead of time?
Yes. Make it up to a day ahead, cool and refrigerate, then reheat gently and keep warm in a slow cooker on Low. Add the cinnamon sticks and orange slices while reheating so the flavour builds.
Related Calculators: Hot Chocolate Servings Calculator, Christmas Food Ideas, Rice Per Person Calculator. For safety, read about unpasteurized apple cider safety.