Whether you are planning a party or just want to pay more attention to the amount of alcohol you consume, it can be helpful to know how many standard drinks are in each type of alcohol container, such as wine, beer, and hard liquor. Knowing this information can make it easier to plan alcohol use accordingly.
In this article, we will also discuss the difference between moderate drinking and alcoholism and identify when drinking habits have gone too far and require treatment. If you are concerned about a loved one’s drinking habits, The Haven can help support them in recovery.
What is Considered a Standard Drink?
Before we do the math and find out how many drinks are in each type of alcohol bottle or container, let’s first clarify what a standard drink even means. A standard drink is the amount of pure alcohol that is considered as one whole “drink.” In America, a standard drink will have 0.6 ounces (14.0 grams or 1.2 tablespoons) of pure alcohol.
This amount of alcohol can be found in:
- 12 ounces of beer (5% alcohol content).
- 8 ounces of malt liquor (7% alcohol content).
- 5 ounces of wine (12% alcohol content).
- 1.5-ounces of 80-proof (40% alcohol content) distilled spirits or liquor (e.g., gin, rum, vodka, whiskey)
Wine Bottles
Wine can be enjoyed in all types of settings, from parties to fancy dinners. It is wise to track the amount of wine drink since it is a tastier alcoholic drink with effects that tend to sneak up on people. A typical bottle of wine is about 750ML and will contain 12% alcohol. One wine bottle of that size will yield about 5 standard drinks.
Beer Bottles
Beer bottles are a quick and convenient way to serve alcohol at places like sporting events or house parties. Bottles of beer come in quite a few different sizes like 12fl oz, 16fl oz, 22fl oz, and 40fl oz. The most common size beer bottle is 12fl oz which is considered one serving and contains about 5% pure alcohol.
Bottles of Hard Liquor
When it comes to liquor, bottles typically come in 750ml or a handle which is 1.75 liters as 30%, 40%, and 60%. A 750ml bottle of 30% alcohol can make about 12.7 servings and a handle can make 30. Next, a 40% 750ml bottle of liquor can yield about 17, while a handle can serve about 40 standard drinks. For a 60% bottle of liquor, 750ml can make 25 servings. Lastly, a 750ml bottle of 75.5 percent (Bacardi 151, Everclear) yields 23 standard drinks.
Moderate Drinking Vs. Alcoholism
While drinking alcohol every so often is fine, it is important to understand when an individual’s drinking becomes a problem and professional help is necessary. The CDC defines casual or moderate drinking as having one to two drinks on a single day for men and one drink for women. The next step above moderate drinking is excessive or heavy drinking and this is defined as having over 15 drinks per week for men and 8 drinks per week for women.
An individual has officially reached the point of alcoholism when they begin to prioritize alcohol over everything else in their life. Alcoholics also experience painful withdrawal symptoms whenever they do not consume alcohol which is what makes it so difficult to quit. Fortunately, with the right detox program and treatment, patients can get back to living a healthy lifestyle in no time.
When To Seek Treatment for Alcohol Abuse
You may be wondering at what point it is necessary to seek alcoholism treatment. The answer is: as soon as you begin seeing warning signs of alcoholism in yourself or a loved one.
The sooner that you are diagnosed by a professional and enter a rehab program, the easier the recovery process will be. Waiting too long to receive treatment for alcohol abuse can also lead to dangerous long-term health problems like heart disease and liver damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many drinks can one bottle make?
The number of drinks that one bottle can make will depend on the type of alcohol. An average-sized wine bottle is typically 750ml and can make about five standard drinks. A beer bottle is 12 flu oz and yields just one serving. Liquor bottles can vary a bit depending on alcohol percentage, but an average 40% 750ml bottle will usually make about 17 servings.
How many drinks of wine are in a bottle?
The average-sized wine bottle is 750ml and will make about five servings. Most wine bottles of this size contain 12% alcohol.
How many shots are in a bottle?
The number of shots a bottle of liquor contains will depend on the size of the alcohol bottle. These sizes can range from 50ml to 4.5 liters. For reference, a half pint of alcohol will yield about four shots, while a half gallon can make 39 shots.
The Haven Can Help
While having alcohol every so often is entirely normal, it can completely change the life of anyone who develops an addiction. At the Haven, we specialize in treating substance disorders and have helped hundreds of patients on the road to recovery.
Our premium rehab facility offers both inpatient and outpatient programs to best match the specific needs of our patients. Detox in a safe and comfortable environment with around-the-clock medical supervision.
If you or a loved one has been struggling with alcoholism, The Haven is here to help. When you are ready, contact us at (844) 933-4145 for more information.
