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Alcoholic Beverages

Beer, wine, and liquor (distilled spirits) are alcoholic beverages. The following common alcoholic beverages contain equal amounts of alcohol:

  • One 12 fl oz (354.9 mL) bottle of beer or wine cooler
  • One 5 fl oz (147.9 mL) glass of wine
  • One mixed drink containing 1.5 fl oz (44.4 mL) of 80-proof liquor, such as gin, whiskey, or rum

Proof is the percentage of alcohol in an alcoholic drink. The percentage of pure alcohol is usually one-half the proof (for example, 100-proof liquor is about 50% pure alcohol). The higher the proof, the more pure alcohol the drink contains.

Last Revised: January 18, 2012

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Peter Monti, PhD - Alcohol and Addiction

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