Understanding What’s in Your Drink

Understanding what is in your drink will help you make more responsible choices. When you learn or ask questions about how your beverage was crafted, you may find out that the alcohol beverage in your hand is equivalent to more than one standard drink. Remember this the next time you sip a cocktail, order a glass of wine, or select a beer as your drink of choice.

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, one standard drink or “drink equivalent” contains 0.6 ounces of ethanol (the pure alcohol that is in ALL beverage alcohol). A beverage that you drink might have more than one standard drink of alcohol in it. Whether it is in distilled spirits, wine, or beer, the effects of ethanol on the body are the same.

Each of these standard drink examples contains the same amount of alcohol: 

  • 12oz beer at 5% ABV 
  • 5oz wine at 12% ABV 
  • 1.5oz distilled spirits (80 proof) at 40% ABV 
  • 12oz ready-to-drink beverages at 5% ABV 

To be a more informed consumer, follow these tips for understanding what is in your drink and how much alcohol you are consuming.  

  • Ask questions about your beverage and its ingredients. 
  • Watch the mixologist craft your cocktail. 
  • Always measure your ingredients and your pours. 
  • Do not “top off” a glass. 
  • Look at the posted ABV of your distilled spirit, wine, beer, or ready-to-drink beverage. If you’re drinking a canned or bottled beverage, also look at the serving size and the number of servings in that specific container.  

Please remember that if you plan to drink, make arrangements to get home safely. And be sure others in your party do the same.