For a Thanksgiving crowd, brew coffee in batches and keep it hot in an insulated carafe or urn, not on a burner for hours. Plan on about one and a half to two 6-ounce cups per coffee drinker, and put out a decaf pot or tea as well. See the Thanksgiving guide, Thanksgiving table, drinks and activities, and how to make pumpkin pie so the coffee is ready when dessert is. If you are brewing a smaller pot by hand, how to brew French press coffee covers that method at a different scale.
How much coffee to brew
A standard coffee “cup” is 6 fluid ounces, not a large mug. For 8 coffee drinkers, a good starting point is 12 to 16 of those cups, which is about 72 to 96 ounces, or 9 to 12 standard mugs. Use about 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground coffee for every 6 ounces of water, and adjust to taste. For 12 cups, that is roughly ¾ to 1½ cups of grounds. Grind the beans just before you brew if you can, and measure the water and coffee before dinner so you are not doing math at the dessert hour. Always brew a small decaf batch too, or keep tea bags next to the mugs.
Brew in batches and keep it hot the right way
An electric urn is the simplest tool for a large group. If you have only a drip machine or a French press, brew two or three pots and pour each one into a preheated thermal carafe as soon as it is finished. Coffee left on a hot plate grows bitter. Set out milk, a non-dairy option, sugar, and spoons on a small tray near the dessert plates. Start brewing as the pies come out of the oven, or a few minutes before you plan to serve apple pie or pumpkin pie. Related: apple cider for a crowd earlier in the day.
Timing with dessert, and a backup plan
Coffee stale quickly, so brew it close to the moment you serve pie, not at noon. If you are worried about timing, grind the beans and fill the machine or urn before dinner, then start it when the pies come out to cool. Keep an extra bag of ground coffee and a backup filter in sight. If the crowd is larger than you expected, it is better to brew a second fresh pot than to stretch a weak first batch. Offer water on the same tray so people who do not want coffee still have something with dessert.
Frequently asked questions
How much coffee do I need for 10 people?
If most of them drink coffee, plan on 15 to 20 small 6-ounce cups, which is about 10 to 12 regular mugs, and brew a little extra. Put out decaf or tea as well.
How do I keep coffee hot for a crowd?
Pour it into a thermal carafe or an urn as soon as it is brewed. Do not leave a full pot on a burner for a long time.
Should I make decaf for Thanksgiving?
Yes, at least a small pot. Some guests will want coffee with dessert but not caffeine late in the day.
Helpful kitchen tools
- OXO Good Grips 2-Cup and 4-Cup Glass Measuring Cup Set — Use a measuring cup to portion grounds and water before you brew a large batch.
- Everyday White Porcelain Oval Serving Platter, 16-Inch — A platter can hold mugs, milk, and sugar next to the carafe on the dessert table.
- Stasher Silicone Reusable Food Storage Bags, 4-Pack — Useful for keeping ground coffee fresh if you measure it ahead of dessert.
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