Standards of alcohol

Units of alcohol are a measure of the volume of pure alcohol in alcoholic beverages, used as a guideline in some countries. One unit of alcohol is defined as 10 millilitres in the United Kingdom, and as 10 grams (12.7 ml) in Australia. In both countries a so-called standard drink contains one unit of alcohol (according to that country's own definitions of them), though the standard drink definition varies significantly in other countries. In the United Kingdom, the number of units contained in a typical serving of an alcoholic beverage is publicised and printed on bottles. An average healthy adult can metabolize three quarters of an Australian unit of alcohol, or about 95% of a UK unit of alcohol, in about one hour Details about typical amounts of alcohol contained in various beverages can be found in the articles about individual drinks. Drink Typical ABV Fruit juice (naturally occurring) less than 0.1% Low-alcohol beer 0.0%1.2% Kvass 0.05%1.5% Kombucha 0.5%1.5% Boza 1% Chicha 1%11% (usually 1%6%) Cider 2%8.5% Beer 2%12% (usually 4%6%) Alcopops 4%17.5% Malt liquor 5%+ Makgeolli 6.5%7% Barley wine (strong ale) 8%15% Mead 8%16% Wine 9%16% (most often 12.5%14.5%)[6] Dessert wine 14%25% Sake (rice wine) 15% (or 18%20% if not diluted prior to bottling) Liqueurs 15%55% Fortified wine 15.5%20%[7] (in the European Union, 18%22%) Soju 17%45% (usually 19%)

Shochu Bitters Mezcal, Tequila Vodka Brandy Rum Ouzo Cachaa Sotol Nalewka Gin Whisky Baijiu Chacha Plinka Rakija Absinthe uica Poitn Neutral grain spirit Cocoroco Rectified spirit Absolute alcohol (ethanol)

25%45% (usually 25%) 28%45% 32%60% (usually 40%) 35%50% (usually 40%) 35%60% (usually 40%) 37.5%80% 37.5%+ 38%54% 38%60% 40%45% 40%50% 40%55% (usually 40% or 43%) 40%60% 40%70% 42%86% (legally in Hungary 51%) 42%86% 45%89.9% 45%-60% (usually 52%) 60%95% 85%95% 93%96%[citation needed] 95% 99%+

Formulae
The number of units of alcohol in a drink can be determined by multiplying the volume of the drink (in millilitres) by its percentage ABV, and dividing by 1000. Thus, one pint (568 ml) of beer at 4% ABV contains: 586 * 4 / 1000 = 2.3 units

The formula uses the quantity in millilitres divided by 1000; this has the result of there being exactly one unit per percentage point per litre of any alcoholic beverage. When the volume of an alcoholic drinks is shown in centilitres, determining the number of units in a drink is as simple as multiplying volume by percentage (converted into a fraction of 1). Thus 75 centilitres of wine (the contents of a standard wine bottle) at 12 % ABV contain:

75 * .12 = 9 units

Quantities
It is often stated that a unit of alcohol is supplied by a small glass of wine, half a pint of beer, or a single measure of spirits. Such statements may be misleading because they do not reflect differences in strength of the various kinds of wines, beers, and spirits.

Beers

A half pint (284 ml) of beer that has strength of 3.5% abv contains almost exactly one unit. However, most beers are stronger. In pubs, beers generally range from 3.5% to 5.5% abv with continental lagers starting at around 5% abv. A pint of such lager (568 ml at 5.2% for example) is almost 3 units of alcohol, rather than the often-quoted value of 2 units per pint. A 500 ml can/bottle of standard lager (5%) contains 2.5 units. 'Super-strength' or strong pale lager may contain as much as two units per half pint. One litre of typical Oktoberfest beer (5.5% to 6%) contains 5.5 to 6 units of alcohol.

Wines

A medium glass (175 ml) of 12% abv wine contains around two units of alcohol. However, British pubs and restaurants often supply larger quantities (large glass: 250 ml) which contain 3 units. Red wine might have a higher alcohol content (on average 12.5%, sometimes up to 16%). A 750 ml bottle of 12% abv wine contains 9 units. Some port wines may contain 20% abv or more, which is 15 units of alcohol per bottle. A 750 ml bottle of 14.5% abv wine contains 10.88 units.

Fortified wines

A small glass (50 ml) of sherry, fortified wine, or cream liqueur (approx. 20% abv) contains about one unit.

Spirits

Most spirits sold in the United Kingdom have 40% ABV or slightly less. In Great Britain, a single pub measure (25 ml) of a spirit contains one unit. However, a larger 35ml measure is increasingly used (and in particular is standard in Northern Ireland[citation needed]), which contains 1.4 units of alcohol.

Alcopops

Most alcopops contain 1.4 to 1.5 units per bottle. For example, a regular 275ml bottle of WKD contains 1.4 units,[3] whereas Bacardi Breezer and Smirnoff Ice both contain 1.5 units of alcohol.[4]