How does the amount of alcohol in different types of drinks compare?

The assertion that all types of alcoholic beverages—such as a shot of whiskey, a glass of wine, and a beer—contain the same amount of alcohol, when measured in standard drinks, is based on the concept of alcohol content by volume and serving sizes.

A standard drink in the United States is defined as containing approximately 14 grams of pure alcohol. This is roughly equivalent to:

• One standard shot of distilled spirits (like whiskey, vodka, or rum), typically about 1.5 ounces (or 44 milliliters).

• One standard glass of wine, which is generally about 5 ounces (or 148 milliliters).

• One standard beer, usually around 12 ounces (or 355 milliliters), with a typical alcohol by volume (ABV) of around 5%.

Although the type of drink may vary significantly in volume and concentration, when each is measured as a standard drink, they all contain an equivalent amount of pure alcohol. This principle helps in understanding alcohol consumption's impact on the body, regardless of the beverage type. It's important to make informed decisions about drinking and to be aware of how different drinks can affect your blood alcohol concentration.