Theo Nash
Alcohol measurements are units of measurement for determining the amount of alcohol in a beverage. Alcohol concentration is commonly expressed as alcohol by volume (ABV), ranging from less than 0.1% in fruit juices to up to 98% in rare cases of spirits. ABV is a measure of the amount of pure alcohol as a percentage of the total volume of liquid in a drink. A standard drink is used globally to quantify alcohol intake, and it contains about 14 grams or 0.6 fluid ounces of pure alcohol. The ABV of a beverage is determined using various methods, including a hydrometer, refractometer, distillation, and gas chromatography.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common measurement | Alcohol by volume (ABV) |
| ABV range | 0.1% in fruit juices to 98% in spirits |
| Standard drink | 10g of alcohol (WHO AUDIT) |
| Standard drink in the US | 14g or 0.6 fl oz of pure alcohol |
| Standard drink in the UK | Beer: 568ml (pint), 284ml (half-pint), or 189ml (third of a pint) Spirits: 25ml or 35ml |
| Other measurement methods | Hydrometer, Refractometer, distillation, gas chromatography |
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What You'll Learn
Standard drinks and units
The most common way of measuring alcohol is by its percentage of alcohol by volume, or ABV. ABV is a measure of the amount of pure alcohol as a percentage of the total volume of liquid in a drink. ABV ranges from less than 0.1% in fruit juices to up to 98% in rare cases of spirits.
A "standard drink" is used globally to quantify alcohol intake, though its definition varies by country. The World Health Organization's Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) uses 10 grams (0.35 oz) as its standard, and this has been adopted by more countries than any other amount. Other countries base the definition on the mass of alcohol (in grams) or volume (in ml or other volume units). For instance, in the United States, a standard drink is defined as 0.6 US fluid ounces (18 ml) of ethanol per serving, or about 14 grams of alcohol. This corresponds to a 12-US-fluid-ounce (350 ml) can of 5% beer, a 5-US-fluid-ounce (150 ml) glass of 12% ABV wine, or a 1.5-US-fluid-ounce (44 ml) "shot" of spirit.
In the UK, a standard drink is often different from a normal serving. A "medium" glass (175 ml) of 12% ABV wine contains around 2.1 units of alcohol, whereas British pubs and restaurants often supply larger quantities (large glass ≈ 250 ml), which contain 3 units. Beers are typically served in pints (568 ml), but are also served in half-pints or third-pints.
In Australia, a 375 ml can of light beer (2.7% alcohol) is 0.8 standard drinks, a mid-strength beer (3.5% alcohol) is 1 standard drink, and a full-strength beer (4.8% alcohol) is 1.4 standard drinks.
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ABV (alcohol by volume)
Alcohol by volume (ABV) is a standard measure of the amount of alcohol in a given alcoholic beverage. It is defined as the volume of ethanol in the liquid if it were separated from the rest of the solution, divided by the volume of the solution, both at 20°C (68°F). ABV is expressed as a percentage, ranging from less than 0.1% in fruit juices to up to 98% in rare cases of spirits.
The ABV of a drink is important for consumers to understand their alcohol intake. A standard drink contains around 14 grams (0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). However, standard drink sizes vary globally, and a single serving size of spirits in the UK is 25 ml or 35 ml, while in Israel, it is about 50-60 ml.
To calculate ABV, one can use a hydrometer to measure the change in specific gravity (SG) of the solution before and after fermentation. The volume of alcohol in the solution can then be estimated using empirical formulas. Another method is to use a refractometer to measure the starting sugar concentration before fermentation, although this is less common after fermentation due to the need for more extensive corrections.
For distilled alcoholic beverages, the ABV can be higher than 95.6% by weight, which is approximately 97.2% ABV. Most yeasts cannot reproduce when the concentration of alcohol is higher than about 18%, so that is the practical limit for fermented drinks. However, some yeast strains can reproduce in solutions of up to 25% ABV.
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Hydrometers
Alcohol concentration in beverages is commonly expressed as alcohol by volume (ABV). ABV is a measure of the amount of pure alcohol as a percentage of the total volume of liquid in a drink. ABV percentages can vary within a class of alcoholic beverages. For example, red wines tend to have a higher ABV than white wines.
A hydrometer is an instrument used to measure the specific gravity or density of liquids. It typically consists of a glass tube with a bulb weighted at one end and calibrated markings along the length of the tube. The liquid to be tested is poured into a tall container, and the hydrometer is gently lowered into the liquid until it floats freely. The point at which the surface of the liquid touches the stem of the hydrometer correlates to its relative density. The lower the density of the liquid, the deeper a hydrometer of a given weight sinks.
The hydrometer is based on Archimedes' principle: a solid suspended in a fluid is buoyed by a force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the submerged part of the solid. It probably dates back to the Greek philosopher Archimedes in the 3rd century BC, with an early description of the device appearing in a 2nd-century AD Latin poem by Remnius. Hypatia of Alexandria, a Greek mathematician, is traditionally associated with the hydrometer, with Synesius of Cyrene asking her to make one for him in a letter.
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Distillation
The process of distillation has been used for centuries, with archaeological evidence suggesting that it was used in China as early as the 12th century. The equipment used for distillation has evolved over time, from early glassware with long necks to more modern copper stills with efficient cooling systems.
It is important to note that distillation does not produce alcohol, but rather concentrates it. The process can also be used to select and concentrate desired flavours in the liquid, as different compounds have different boiling points. This is why distilled spirits are known for their flavour, as the art of distillation involves selecting and concentrating these desired flavours.
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Serving sizes
The concentration of alcohol in a beverage is usually stated as the percentage of alcohol by volume (ABV)—the number of millilitres (ml) of pure ethanol in 100 ml of beverage. In the United States, one standard drink contains about 14 grams or about 0.6 fluid ounces of pure alcohol. This is also the standard in the WHO AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) questionnaire.
The serving sizes of alcoholic beverages vary by country. In the United Kingdom, serving sizes in licensed premises are regulated under the Weights and Measures Act (1985). A single serving of spirits (gin, whisky, rum, and vodka) is sold in 25 ml or 35 ml quantities or multiples thereof. Beer is typically served in pints (568 ml), but is also served in half-pints or third-pints. In Israel, a single serving size of spirits is about 50 or 60 ml.
In the United States, the British Wine Gallon (which contains 128 fluid ounces) was adopted as standard, and alcohol had to be sold in portions of a gallon for tax purposes. A standard case of bottled beer, wine, or liquor had to be equal to two gallons, and bottles came in half-dozens and dozens. The bottles were later increased in size to be equivalent to British Reputed Pints and Quarts, allowing them to be interchangeable for export.
The British Reputed Pint and Reputed Quart were used in Great Britain and throughout the Empire from the late 17th century until the early 20th century. A Reputed Pint of beer was equal to 285 ml (1/2 an Ale Pint, or equivalent to 10 imperial oz. or 9.63 US fluid oz.). A Reputed Quart of wine was equal to 730 ml (3/4 of a Wine Quart, or equivalent to 25.69 imperial oz. or 24.68 US fluid oz.).
The ABV percentages can vary within a class of alcoholic beverages. For example, red wines tend to have a higher ABV, such as a Merlot (13%-14%) compared with white wines like Pinot Grigio (12%-13%). ABV can be measured by homebrewers and manufacturers using a hydrometer or refractometer, which measure the density and sugar content of the beverage, respectively.
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Frequently asked questions
Alcohol amounts are commonly measured using the ABV (alcohol by volume) metric, which expresses the percentage of alcohol in a drink.
ABV is calculated by measuring the density of a drink with a hydrometer or its sugar content with a refractometer.
A standard drink is a notional drink that contains a specified amount of pure alcohol, typically 10g or 14g, depending on the country.
