Standard Alcoholic Drink

Illustration showing 1 drink = 12 oz. beer = 1.5 oz. of 80 proof hard liquor = 5 oz. glass wine

Beer, wine, and liquor (distilled spirits) all contain alcohol. The following common alcoholic drinks contain equal amounts of alcohol by volume (ABV) and are considered one (1) standard drink:

  • One 12 fl oz (355 mL) bottle of beer or wine cooler equals about 5% ABV
  • One 5 fl oz (148 mL) glass of wine equals about 12% ABV
  • One drink containing 1.5 fl oz (44 mL) of 80-proof liquor, such as vodka, gin, whiskey, or rum equals about 40% ABV

Proof measures strength and represents the amount of alcohol in liquor. The percentage of pure alcohol in liquor is usually one-half the proof. For example, a 100-proof liquor is about 50% pure alcohol. Thus, the higher the proof, the more pure alcohol the liquor contains.

More Alcohol Facts