# Definition of ONE Serving of Alcohol (Liquor)...

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-one-serving-of-alcohol-liquor/588985>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 14, 2011, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-one-serving-of-alcohol-liquor/588985 "2011-07-14T06:55:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\
**Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-one-serving-of-alcohol-liquor/588985/1 "2011-07-14T06:55:28Z")

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I find drinking alcohol an enjoyable part of life. And I definitely do it in moderation, typically.

Anyways, one question has always vexed me. Exactly what amount is considered _one serving_ of liquor (i.e., Vodka, Whiskey, Rum, etc.)?

I have heard so many different definitions, it is almost ridiculous. When I turned 21 about 20 yrs. ago, it seemed apparent _one shot_ (i.e., 1½ fluid ounces) was considered the right amount. But I have made drinks with as little as 1 fl oz. (this actually is the way my family even preferred it, when I made drinks for them). Then when you read the bar manuals, it gets even more ridiculous. I have seen Martini recipes with as much as 3 fl oz. of Gin/Vodka (and I am being forgiving–I think it actually was 4!)! Is that really one serving?

So what is it:)?

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**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\
**Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-one-serving-of-alcohol-liquor/588985/2 "2011-07-14T07:15:06Z")

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There isn’t one number. A lot of people go by with 1 oz. of alchohol metabolized per hour (no idea if that’s anywhere close to true, and would still vary person to person), so they count drinks as 1 oz. of alcohol per drink. That’s close in a 16 oz. beer and not way far off with 1.5 oz of 100 proof liquor in a drink. Some people will have some kind of standard for how to make particular drinks that says use 3 oz. of liquor. But there is likely to be another recipe with a different amount. Some bars use shot glasses or other standard measures for any liquor. Others have the bartenders pour by eye. In my book one serving of liquor is the amount in the glass in front of me, whatever the amount may be.

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**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\
**Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-one-serving-of-alcohol-liquor/588985/3 "2011-07-14T07:27:11Z")

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From a quasi-legal standpoint, a standard drink = 1.5 oz of 80 proof/40% liquor = 5 oz of typical wine = 12 oz of typical beer. These will all have roughly the same alcohol content.

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**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\
**Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-one-serving-of-alcohol-liquor/588985/4 "2011-07-14T14:19:57Z")

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> [@Jim\_B](#):
>
> Anyways, one question has always vexed me. Exactly what amount is considered _one serving_ of liquor (i.e., Vodka, Whiskey, Rum, etc.)?

That’s like asking “how long is a piece of string?”, isn’t it?

Now, if you’re asking about a [unit of alcohol](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unit_of_alcohol), that a more well-defined question.