Alcohol equivalence
Alcohol equivalence is a system of standard drink sizes of various alcoholic beverages. The amount of alcohol (i.e., ethanol) that is contained in a standard drink varies widely by country.
Canada
In Canada, the independent Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) defines a standard drink to be the same as in the United States of America. [1]
| Standard Drink Chart | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beverage | Amount (mL) | Amount (fl. oz.) | Colloquial amount | Alcohol (% by vol.) |
| Spirits | 43 | 1.5 | one shot | 40 |
| Wine | 142 | 5 | one glass | 10 - 12 |
| Fortified wine | 85 | 3 | one glass | 16 - 18 |
| Beer | 341 | 12 | one glass | 5 |
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 330 mL can of beer or a 100 mL glass of table wine or a 30 mL glass of straight spirits".[2]
United Kingdom
In the UK, one standard drink or "unit" of alcohol is defined as 10 mL or 8 g of pure alcohol. This equals one 25 mL single measure of spirits (ABV 40%), or a third of a pint of beer (ABV 5-6%), or half a standard (175 mL) glass of red wine (ABV 12%).[3]
United States
In the United States, a standard drink is defined as 0.6 fluid ounce (18 mL or 14 g) of pure alcohol.[4] In the United States, therefore, one standard drink is contained in:
- a 12-ounce bottle or can of typical (5% ABV) beer
- a 5-ounce glass of typical (12% ABV) wine
- a 1.5-ounce shot of typical (80-proof, 40% ABV) liquor (either straight or in a mixed drink)
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 Chart (US)[5] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beverage | Amount (mL) | Amount (fl. oz.) | Colloquial amount | Alcohol (% by vol.) | Alcohol (per drink) |
| 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. |
References
- ↑ http://www.cpha.ca/en/portals/substance/prevention/faq01.aspx
- ↑ http://www.alac.org.nz/alcohol-you/whats-standard-drink/guide-standard-drinks
- ↑ http://www.drinkaware.co.uk/facts/frequently-asked-questions#what_is_unit
- ↑ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Alcohol and Public Health. What is a standard drink in the United States?
- ↑ Based on the CDC definition of 0.6 fl. oz. of alcohol per standard drink.