A drink can come in many forms. It can be a shot of hard liquor or a mixed drink containing vodka, rum, tequila, gin, scotch, etc. It can also be wine, a wine cooler, beer, or malt liquor. A standard drink is any drink that contains about 14 grams of pure alcohol (about 0.6 fluid ounces or 1.2 tablespoons). This is the amount of alcohol usually found in—
One 12-ounce beer
One 4- to 5-ounce glass of wine
One 1.5-ounce shot of 80 proof liquor
But not all drinks are standard drinks. In fact, different drinks often have different amounts of alcohol. Mixed drinks may contain more than one shot of liquor, and different beers or wines may not have the same amount of alcohol in them, even when the drinks are the same size. For example, some beers and beer products, like “ice” beers, and malt liquors, and some wines, have more alcohol than others.
adapted from Surgeon General’s Call to Action: A Guide to Action for Families, 2007
Ardsley SAYF Coalition 