Standard drink
StrengthA standard drink is a set amount of pure alcohol, 0.6 fl oz (14 g) in the US, whatever the glass holds.
- US standard drink (NIAAA)
- 0.6 fl oz (14 g) of pure alcohol
- Regular beer
- 12 oz (355 ml) at about 5% ABV
- Malt liquor
- 8 to 10 oz (237 to 296 ml) at about 7% ABV
- Table wine
- 5 oz (148 ml) at about 12% ABV
- Distilled spirits
- 1.5 oz (44 ml) at about 40% ABV
- UK unit (for comparison)
- 0.34 fl oz (10 ml), or 8 g, of pure alcohol
What standard drink means
Think of a standard drink as a unit for counting alcohol, not a pour size. Three very different glasses can hold the same amount. A 12 oz (355 ml) regular beer at about 5% ABV holds that amount. So does a 5 oz (148 ml) glass of table wine at about 12%. A 1.5 oz (44 ml) shot of 40% spirit does too. Each holds 0.6 fl oz (14 g) of pure alcohol in the US.
The count depends on the pour and the ABV, not on one fixed pour. A 1.5 oz (44 ml) pour of 40% spirit is one standard drink, and a stronger or weaker spirit needs a different pour to match it. A 12 oz (355 ml) beer counts as one only at about 5% ABV, so the glass size alone tells you little. Five standard drinks means five of these units added together.
A common assumption is that one cocktail equals one drink. Many hold 1.5 to 2 standard drinks or more, because they use 2 oz (60 ml) or more of spirit, plus liqueurs. A low-ABV cocktail or a mocktail changes that count. Other countries use other units, such as the UK unit of 10 ml (8 g), so compare grams of pure alcohol before you compare numbers.
How to work out standard drinks in a cocktail
Each ingredient adds alcohol, so total them, then divide by the size of one US standard drink.
- 1.Multiply each ingredient's volume by its ABV. A 2 oz (60 ml) pour of tequila at 40% gives 0.8 oz (24 ml) of pure alcohol.
- 2.Add the alcohol from every ingredient. The 0.75 oz (22 ml) orange liqueur at 40% adds 0.3 oz (9 ml), for 1.1 oz (33 ml) in total.
- 3.Divide that total by 0.6 fl oz (14 g), the US standard drink. The margarita comes to about 1.8 standard drinks.
- 4.Skip the ice and mixers in the count. They add volume but no alcohol, so dilution does not change the number.
Standard drink compared
- ShotA shot is a pour size. A standard drink is an amount of alcohol, and one 1.5 oz (44 ml) shot of 40% spirit holds exactly that much.
- ABVABV is the alcohol share of a liquid. A standard drink is a fixed amount of alcohol, 0.6 fl oz (14 g) in the US.
- UK unitA UK unit is 10 ml (8 g) of pure alcohol, which is smaller than the 14 g US standard drink.
Related terms
Put it to use in your next drink
Garçon explains every step as you make the drink.