Lena Savoie
Alcohol proof is a measure of the alcohol content in a beverage. The term originated in 16th-century England when spirits were taxed at different rates depending on their alcohol content. The original test for proof was a simple burn-or-no-burn test, where a liquid that could be ignited was considered above proof. Today, liquor is typically labelled with its percentage alcohol by volume (ABV), although the definition of proof in terms of ABV varies from country to country. In the US, alcohol proof is defined as twice the percentage of ABV, while in the UK, proof is 1.75 times the ABV. For example, a drink with 40% ABV would be 70 proof in the UK and 80 proof in the US.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alcohol by Volume (ABV) | 35% |
| Proof in the UK | 70 |
| Proof in the US | 80 |
| Equivalent ABV in the US | 40% |
| Equivalent drinks | Smirnoff’s and Burnett’s-flavored vodkas |
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What You'll Learn
70 proof is 35% alcohol
Alcohol proof is a measure of the alcohol content in a beverage. The term originated in 16th-century England, where spirits were taxed at different rates depending on their alcohol content. A basic burn-or-no-burn test was used to determine whether a liquid was "above proof" or "under proof". A liquid just alcoholic enough to maintain combustion was defined as 100 proof.
Today, liquor is typically sold with labels stating its percentage alcohol by volume (ABV). The ABV system of measurement is used in most locations, including the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK). The EU follows the recommendations of the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML), which state that if alcohol strength by volume is used, it must be expressed as a percentage of total volume at a temperature of 20°C (68°F).
In the United States, alcohol proof is defined as twice the percentage of ABV. So, for example, a whiskey labelled as 80 proof contains 40% ABV. In the UK and some other countries, proof is 1.75 times the ABV. Therefore, a whiskey that is 70 proof in the UK would be almost 100 proof in the US.
To convert the ABV expressed as a percentage to degrees proof, you can multiply the ABV by 7/4. So, 70 proof is equal to an ABV of 35%. This is a common alcohol percentage for flavoured spirits and some higher-proof liqueurs. It is on the lower end of the scale for hard alcohol, which typically falls between 70 and 100 proof.
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ABV and proof are the most common ways to express alcohol content
Alcohol by volume (ABV) and proof are the two most common ways to express the alcohol content of a beverage. The term "proof" originated in 16th-century England, when spirits were taxed at different rates based on their alcohol content. A simple “burn-or-no-burn” test was used to determine if a spirit was "above proof" or "under proof". If the alcohol-containing liquid ignited, it was considered "above proof". This test, however, was not very accurate, as combustibility depends on factors beyond ABV, such as temperature.
Over time, more precise methods for measuring alcohol content were developed, such as the “gunpowder method” and tests based on specific gravity. In 1816, a legal standard based on specific density was established in England, with 100 proof defined as a spirit with 12/13 the specific gravity of pure water at the same temperature. This was equivalent to 57.15% ABV.
Today, the use of proof as a measure of alcohol content is mostly historical and linguistic. Most countries, including the European Union, have adopted the ABV system, which expresses alcohol content as a percentage of total volume at a temperature of 20°C (68°F). This system provides a more accurate and consistent way to measure alcohol strength.
However, the concept of proof is still used in some countries, notably the United States, where proof is defined as twice the percentage of ABV. For example, a whiskey labelled as 80 proof contains 40% ABV. This means that a 70-proof spirit in the UK would be considered almost 100 proof in the US.
In summary, while ABV and proof are both measures of alcohol content, the use of proof is now mostly historical, with ABV being the preferred method for expressing alcohol content in most parts of the world.
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The UK and US use different proof systems
The term "'proof" was originally used in England in the 16th century to refer to a "'burn-or-no-burn' test for spirits. Spirits that would ignite were considered "above proof", while those that would not were "under proof". The flash point of alcohol is temperature-dependent, and 100 proof defined in this way can range from 20% at 36 °C (97 °F) to 96% at 13 °C (55 °F) alcohol by weight.
In 1816, a legal standard based on specific gravity was defined in England, with 100 proof being a spirit with 12⁄13 the specific gravity of pure water at the same temperature. This was equivalent to 57.15% ABV. The UK officially used this system to measure alcohol content from the 19th century until 1 January 1980, when it adopted the ABV system prescribed by the European Union.
The US proof system was established around 1848 and was based on alcohol percentage rather than specific gravity. Here, 50% ABV was defined as 100 proof. This is different from the UK's former system, where 50% ABV was equivalent to 78.9 proof. Today, the US defines proof as twice the ABV percentage, so a whiskey that is 80 proof contains 40% ABV. In contrast, the UK and other countries use a scale where proof is 1.75 times the ABV. Therefore, a whiskey that is 70 proof in the UK would be almost 100 proof in the US.
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The UK's old system was based on specific density
The term "proof" in relation to alcohol content originated in 16th-century England, when spirits were taxed at different rates depending on their alcohol content. A basic burn-or-no-burn test was used to determine the amount of alcohol in a liquid. If an alcohol-containing liquid ignited, it was said to be "above proof", and if it didn't, it was "under proof". A liquid just alcoholic enough to maintain combustion was defined as 100 proof.
Another early method for testing liquor's alcohol content was the "gunpowder method". Gunpowder was soaked in a spirit, and if the gunpowder could still burn, the spirit was rated "above proof". This test is based on the fact that potassium nitrate (a chemical in gunpowder) is significantly more soluble in water than in alcohol.
By the end of the 17th century, England had introduced tests based on specific gravity for defining proof. Finally, in 1816, a legal standard based on specific density was defined in England. 100 proof was defined as a spirit with 12⁄13 the specific gravity of pure water at the same temperature. From the 19th century until 1 January 1980, the UK officially measured alcohol content by proof spirit, defined as a spirit with a gravity of 12⁄13 that of water, or 923 kg/m3 (1,556 lb/cu yd), and equivalent to 57.15% ABV.
In 1980, the UK adopted the ABV system of measurement prescribed by the European Union, of which it was then a member. The ABV system measures the alcohol content of beverages and expresses a percentage of the volume of pure ethanol in a given volume of a beverage. The UK's previous system of measuring alcohol content was similar to that of the US, where proof is defined as 1.75 times the percentage of ABV.
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The US system was established in 1848
The term "proof" in relation to alcohol content has a long history, dating back to 16th-century England. At that time, spirits were taxed based on their alcohol content, and a simple test was used to determine the strength of the liquor. This original test involved mixing a spirit with gunpowder and attempting to ignite it. If the mixture ignited, it was considered "proof" that the alcohol content was high enough. This test evolved over time, with variations such as the burn-or-no-burn test and the gunpowder method.
In 1816, a legal standard based on specific gravity was defined in England, with 100 proof established as a spirit with 12/13 the specific gravity of pure water at the same temperature. This standard was used in the UK until 1980 when it adopted the ABV system prescribed by the European Union.
In 1848, the United States established its own standard for measuring alcohol content, marking a shift from the previous focus on specific gravity. The US system defined proof as twice the percentage of alcohol by volume (ABV), meaning 50% ABV was equivalent to 100 proof. This definition was different from the 50% volume fraction, which does not account for the change in volume when mixing alcohol and water. This US system brought standardisation to the measurement of alcohol content and provided a more precise and consistent approach.
Today, the use of "proof" in measuring alcohol content is mostly historical, with liquor sold in most locations labelled with the percentage of alcohol by volume (ABV). However, the understanding of alcohol proof is still important for consumers, as it provides insight into the strength and flavour of different beverages, enabling responsible drinking. Additionally, the concept of proof continues to hold cultural and linguistic significance, influencing the way we describe and categorise alcoholic drinks.
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Frequently asked questions
70 v/v alcohol is 70 proof in the UK, which is 1.75 times the ABV. This is equivalent to 80 proof in the US, where proof is twice the ABV.
70 proof alcohol is 40% ABV. This is the standard ABV for whiskey in the UK, US, Canada, and the European Union.
The term "proof" dates back to 16th-century England, where spirits were taxed based on their alcohol content. A basic burn-or-no-burn test was used to determine if a spirit was above proof or "under proof". A liquid that could maintain combustion was defined as 100 proof, which was equivalent to 57.15% ABV.
Proof is a measure of the ethanol content in an alcoholic beverage. Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol, is produced by the fermentation of yeast, sugars, and starches. The higher the proof, the higher the ethanol concentration.
