Theo Nash
A fifth of alcohol is a unit of measurement that refers to a volume of approximately 750ml or 25.4 fl oz. It gets its name from the fact that it is roughly equivalent to one-fifth of a US liquid gallon. The term fifth is commonly associated with distilled spirits and is a popular packaging size for alcoholic beverages such as vodka, gin, rum, whiskey, tequila, and brandy. While the metric system is now used for liquor bottle measurements, the term fifth is a remnant of the older system of measurement in the United States, which included units like ounces, pints, quarts, and gallons.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | One-fifth of a US gallon |
| Volume | 750 ml or 25.4 fl oz |
| Number of drinks | 17 shots of liquor, 12.5 whiskey "neats" or "on the rocks", or enough for 12-25 cocktails |
| Other standard sizes | 1.75 liters, 1 liter, 500 ml, 200 ml, 100 ml, and 50 ml |
| Common drinks | Vodka, gin, rum, whiskey, tequila, and brandy |
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What You'll Learn
A fifth is 750ml
A fifth of alcohol is a unit of volume that was formerly used for wine and distilled beverages in the United States. It is equivalent to 750 ml or about 25.4 fl oz. It is called a fifth because it is approximately equal to one-fifth (1/5) of a US liquid gallon.
The term 'fifth' is retained from a time when measurements like ounces, pints, quarts, and gallons were used to measure alcohol bottles. While the US has adopted the metric system for liquor bottle measurements, the term 'fifth' is still used. A fifth of alcohol contains about 17 shots of liquor, or 12.5 "whiskey neats" or "whiskey on the rocks". It is also enough to make around 12 to 25 cocktails.
The 750 ml bottle is the standard capacity of wine bottles worldwide and is the most common and readily available size for spirits. You'll frequently find 'fifths' of vodka, gin, rum, whiskey, tequila, and brandy. While some liqueurs and specialty spirits might also be sold in 'fifths', wine bottles are not typically referred to as 'fifths' even though they are the same size.
In addition to the fifth, other standard bottle sizes for alcohol include 1.75 liters, 1 liter, 500 ml, 200 ml, 100 ml, and 50 ml.
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It's one-fifth of a US liquid gallon
The term "a fifth" of alcohol refers to a specific volume of alcohol, which is one-fifth of a US liquid gallon. This is equivalent to 750 ml or about 25.4 fl oz. The term "fifth" comes from a time when bottles were 4/5 of a quart, which is the same as 1/5 of a gallon. This amount is the same as a standard wine bottle.
The modern "fifth" is 750 ml, and it is a common packaging size for a wide variety of alcoholic beverages, particularly distilled spirits. You will frequently find "fifths" of vodka, gin, rum, whiskey (bourbon, scotch, rye, etc.), tequila, and brandy. These are the staples of the liquor industry, and the 750 ml bottle is often the most popular and readily available size. While some liqueurs and specialty spirits might also be sold in "fifths," it is more common to see wines sold in this size. However, wine bottles are typically not referred to as "fifths."
A fifth of alcohol contains about 17 shots of liquor, 12.5 "whiskey neats" or "whiskey on the rocks", and enough alcohol to make around 12 to 25 cocktails. A pint is half the size of a fifth, and a quart is larger, holding a full litre of liquid. The largest commonly available size of liquor is a "handle," which is a half-gallon bottle containing 1.75 litres of alcohol.
The US gallon is similar to the imperial gallon used in other parts of the world but is slightly smaller. One US gallon is equivalent to approximately 3.785 litres. As the world increasingly adopted the metric system, the US also started incorporating metric units, particularly for liquor bottle measurements. However, the term "fifth" has been retained and is still used today.
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A fifth contains 17 shots
A "fifth" is a unit of volume formerly used for wine and distilled beverages in the United States. It is equal to one-fifth of a US liquid gallon, or 757 milliliters. Today, the metric system is the standard for liquor measurements, and a standard bottle contains 750 milliliters, sometimes called a "metric fifth." This is approximately 1% smaller than the traditional fifth.
The term fifth is still commonly used, particularly in the United States. When referring to alcohol, a fifth typically contains 17 shots of 1.5 ounces each. This calculation is based on the total volume of a fifth (25.4 ounces) divided by the standard shot size (1.5 ounces).
It is important to note that shot sizes can vary significantly around the world. For example, in the United Kingdom, a standard shot is 25 milliliters, while in Japan, it is 30 milliliters. These differences will affect the number of shots that can be poured from a fifth. Additionally, the size of a shot glass can vary, with larger shot glasses yielding fewer shots from a fifth.
The number of shots from a fifth that can lead to intoxication varies depending on individual tolerance, body weight, and the rate of consumption. On average, it takes around 4 to 5 shots for most individuals to start feeling the effects of alcohol. It is always important to drink responsibly, know one's limits, and never drink and drive.
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A 'handle' is a larger bottle
A fifth is a unit of volume for wine and distilled drinks that was previously used in the United States. It is equivalent to one-fifth of a US liquid gallon or 757 milliliters. The metric bottle size of 750 mL, sometimes called a metric fifth, has replaced it and is now the standard capacity for wine bottles globally.
Now, a handle is a much larger bottle than a fifth. A handle of liquor is a 1.75-liter bottle, which is the largest container in which liquor is sold. It contains 59.2 fluid ounces, which equates to about 40 standard 1.5-ounce shots or 2.3 standard bottles. With cocktails that require two ounces of alcohol, you can make around 30 drinks from a handle.
To put it in context, a standard 750-milliliter bottle will give you less than 17 shots or 12.5 drinks. A one-liter bottle, which is more commonly found in liquor shops, will yield 22.5 shots or just under 17 drinks.
The amount of alcohol deemed as "standard" varies from country to country. In the United States, a standard drink contains 0.6 US fluid ounces (18 mL) of alcohol. This is roughly equivalent to a 12-US-fluid-ounce beer, a 5-US-fluid-ounce glass of wine, or a 1.5-US-fluid-ounce serving of a 40% ABV spirit. In the UK, a single serving of spirits is typically 25 or 35 mL, whereas in Israel, it is about 50 or 60 mL.
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A pint is half a fifth
A "fifth" is a unit of volume that was formerly used for wine and distilled beverages in the United States. It is equivalent to one-fifth of a US liquid gallon, or approximately 750 milliliters. This amount is also the standard size for a bottle of wine worldwide, although it is not typically referred to as a "fifth" when referring to wine. The term "fifth" is more commonly associated with distilled spirits such as vodka, gin, rum, whiskey, tequila, and brandy.
Now, a pint is equal to 473 milliliters, which is half the volume of a fifth. To be more precise, a pint is slightly less than half of a fifth, as a fifth contains about 757 milliliters. So, when someone says they have "a pint," they are typically referring to half the volume of alcohol as a "fifth."
The term "pint" is also commonly used as a serving size for beer, which is typically served in this quantity. A pint of beer contains about 568 milliliters, which is a little more than half a fifth. So, a pint of beer is slightly larger than a pint of liquor in terms of volume.
It's important to note that the definition of a "pint" can vary depending on the country and the specific beverage. In the United States, a pint is defined as 16 US fluid ounces or about 473 milliliters. However, in the UK, a pint of beer is typically larger, at 568 milliliters. So, the relationship between a "pint" and a "fifth" can vary depending on the context and location.
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Frequently asked questions
A fifth of alcohol is 750ml or 25.4 fl oz. It is called a fifth because it is approximately equal to one-fifth of a US liquid gallon.
Fifths are a common packaging size for distilled spirits such as vodka, gin, rum, whiskey, tequila, and brandy. Some liqueurs and specialty spirits are also sold in fifths, but it is less common. Wine bottles are typically 750ml but are not usually referred to as fifths.
The number of drinks in a fifth depends on the type of drink. A fifth of alcohol contains about 17 shots of liquor, 12.5 "whiskey neats", or "whiskey on the rocks", and enough alcohol for 12 to 25 cocktails.
