The amounts of alcohol contained in the specified beverages are:
- 12 ounces of regular beer, which typically has an alcohol content of 5%
- 12 ounces of wine, which is usually about 12% alcohol
- 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor, which has an alcohol content of 40%
As a refresher, the alcohol content (alc./vol.) varies by beverage type. Here's a quick summary:
- Beers: Typically 4-8% alcohol by volume (ABV)
- Craft beers: Often 8-12% ABV
- Fortified wines: 16-24% ABV
- Unfortified wines: 14-16% ABV
- Malt beverages: 15% ABV
- Champagne: 12.5% ABV
- Vodka: 40-95% ABV
- Gin: 36-50% ABV
- Tequila: 50-51% ABV
- Rum: 36-50% ABV
- Whiskey (including Bourbon, Canadian whiskey, Irish whiskey, and Scotch): 36-50% ABV
- Liqueur: 15% ABV
- Hard seltzer: 4-12% ABV
Despite these differences, the amount of alcohol in each beverage is approximately the same, containing about 0.6 fl. ounces (14 grams) of pure alcohol. This is the defining characteristic of a standard drink, regardless of the type of beverage.
