3 Parties, 1 Price: Supplying Drinks for $100

By Kelly Sutton, Lifehacker

Stocking a bar is a difficult task. Stocking a bar for $100 is even more difficult. Let's take a look at three different methods for gearing up your liquor cabinet for parties of various sizes on the cheap.

(Note: Now is a good time to remind everyone of the dangers of alcohol. College is definitely a time to make mistakes, but please—for the love of God—do so safely. You don't need to be a college student to invite 15 of your closest friends over for some drinks, but like it or not, alcohol is an integral part of most people's college experience and good things (like new friendships) can come from it. This is one of the more popular posts on HackCollege, and it's also one of my favorites. —Kelly)

Limiting Factors:

• Cost
• Number of People
• Length of Party

This is a lot of stuff. Take everything with a (margarita) grain of salt and make changes as you see fit. No party is exactly the same; likewise no party has the same requirements. And (depending on your state's liquor laws, taxes or store) prices vary.

Building the Bare Bones Bar:

Before having a solid house party, you need a good foundation. If you want a full-out bar, you'll need all of these things, but pick and choose depending on the situation.

The essentials (some of which you only buy once in a blue moon):

• Tonic water
• Sour mixes
• Soda water
• Ginger ale
• Light cream
• Lime juice
• Grenadine
• Triple sec

Stuff that you probably already have but need to get if you don't:

• Milk
• Water
• Ice (about a pound per person)
• Salt
• Nutmeg
• Limes/lemons
• Garnishes
• Juices (OJ, cranberry)

The essential liquor combos:

• 2 lights
• 2 darks
• Vermouth