Alcohol equivalence
Encyclopedia
Alcohol equivalence is a system of standard drink sizes
of various alcoholic beverage
s. The amount of alcohol (i.e., ethanol
) that is contained in a standard drink varies widely by country.
of pure alcohol. In the United States, therefore, one standard drink is contained in:
Alcohol equivalence is emphasized as being important for drinking in moderation by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
(NIAAA), Department of Transportation
(DOT), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), American Dietetic Association
, National Consumers League
, National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
(NCADD), and Mothers Against Drunk Driving
(MADD).
Standard drink
A standard drink is a notional drink that contains a specified amount of pure alcohol. The standard drink is used in many countries to quantify alcohol intake. It is usually re-expressed as a measure of beer, wine, or spirits for convenience. One standard drink always contains the same amount of...
of various alcoholic beverage
Alcoholic beverage
An alcoholic beverage is a drink containing ethanol, commonly known as alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are divided into three general classes: beers, wines, and spirits. They are legally consumed in most countries, and over 100 countries have laws regulating their production, sale, and consumption...
s. The amount of alcohol (i.e., ethanol
Ethanol
Ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, or drinking alcohol, is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid. It is a psychoactive drug and one of the oldest recreational drugs. Best known as the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, it is also used in thermometers, as a...
) that is contained in a standard drink varies widely by country.
New Zealand
In New Zealand one standard drink, as defined by the Alcohol Advisory Council, contains 10 grams of ethyl alcohol which is approximately 12.7 mL. This is approximately "a 330ml can of beer or a 100ml glass of table wine or a 30ml glass of straight spirits".United Kingdom
In the UK, one standard drink or "unit" of alcohol is defined as 10ml or 8g of pure alcohol. This equals one 25ml single measure of spirits,(ABV 40%), or a third of a pint of beer (ABV 5-6%), or half a standard (175ml) glass of red wine (ABV 12%).United States
In the United States, a standard drink is defined as 0.6 fluid ounceFluid ounce
A fluid ounce is a unit of volume equal to about 28.4 mL in the imperial system or about 29.6 mL in the US system. The fluid ounce is distinct from the ounce, which measures mass...
of pure alcohol. In the United States, therefore, one standard drink is contained in:
- a 12-ounce bottle or can of typical (5% ABVABVABV is a three-letter acronym that may refer to:* Alcohol by volume, a measure of the alcohol content of alcoholic drinks* Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Nigeria, from its IATA airport code...
) beer - a 5-ounce glass of typical (12% ABV) wine
- a 1.5-ounce shotShot glassA shot glass is a small glass designed to hold or measure spirits or liquor, which is either drunk straight from the glass or poured into a mixed drink....
of 80-proof (40% ABV) liquorDistilled beverageA distilled beverage, liquor, or spirit is an alcoholic beverage containing ethanol that is produced by distilling ethanol produced by means of fermenting grain, fruit, or vegetables...
(either straight or in a mixed drinkMixed drinkA mixed drink is a beverage in which two or more ingredients are mixed. Some mixed drinks are alcoholic beverages that contain liquor; others are non-alcoholic.-Types:Some popular types of mixed drinks are:...
)
Alcohol equivalence is emphasized as being important for drinking in moderation by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism , as part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, supports and conducts biomedical and behavioral research on the causes, consequences, treatment, and prevention of alcoholism and alcohol-related problems...
(NIAAA), Department of Transportation
United States Department of Transportation
The United States Department of Transportation is a federal Cabinet department of the United States government concerned with transportation. It was established by an act of Congress on October 15, 1966, and began operation on April 1, 1967...
(DOT), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), American Dietetic Association
American Dietetic Association
The American Dietetic Association is the United States' largest organization of food and nutrition professionals, with nearly 72,000 members. The American Dietetic Association is officially changing its name to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The announcement was made Saturday, September...
, National Consumers League
National Consumers League
The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is an American consumer organization. The National Consumers League is a private, nonprofit advocacy group representing consumers on marketplace and workplace issues....
, National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence was founded in 1944 by the first female member of Alcoholics Anonymous , Marty Mann . It has a nationwide network of 95 affiliates around the United States...
(NCADD), and Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Mothers Against Drunk Driving is a non-profit organization in the United States that seeks to stop drunk driving, support those affected by drunk driving, prevent underage drinking, and overall push for stricter alcohol policy...
(MADD).
| Standard Drink Chart (US) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | Amount in mL | Amount in fl. oz. | Colloquial amount | Alcohol % by vol. | Alcohol in fl. oz. |
| 80-proof liquor | 44 mL | 1.5 fl. oz. | one shot | 40 | 0.6 fl. oz. |
| Wine | 148 mL | 5 fl. oz. | one glass | 12 | 0.6 fl. oz. |
| Beer | 355 mL | 12 fl. oz. | one can | 5 | 0.6 fl. oz. |