Alcohol measurements

Alcohol measurements are units of measurement for determining amounts of beverage alcohol.

Beer measures

Full and half pint beer glasses
NameUS customary unitsImperial unitsMetric units (approx.)Notes
nip6.66 imp oz189.42 mL13 of an Imperial pint. Strong ale and Barley wine were usually bottled in nips[1] Metric measurement glasses and containers usually round up to 190 ml (6.7 imp. oz.) or 200 ml (7 imp. oz.).
small (US)8 US fl oz236.59 mL12 US pint.
small (EU)9.29 US fl oz9.67 imp fl oz275 mL
half (imp.)9.6 US fl oz10 imp oz284.13 mL12 Imperial pint. Also called a "glass" in the UK and Ireland. Metric-measure glasses usually round down to 280 mL or up to 285 ml.
bottle (EU)11.15 US fl oz11.61 imp oz330 mLThe Standard International Bottle. 13 Liter. Based on the long-necked 355 mL American standard bottle.
stubby (imp.)11.53 US fl oz12 imp fl oz341 mL35 of an imperial pint. A short-necked, thick-walled beer bottle commonly found in Canada, Australia, and South Africa. It was rounded down to 340 ml after metrication. It has been replaced by the EU standard long-necked 330 mL bottle.
bottle (US)12 US fl oz-355 mL34 US pint. American breweries fluctuated between 11 and 13 ounces before gradually standardizing on a median 12 ounces after World War 2. The American Twelfth (10.66 US oz. [315-ml], or 112 a US gallon), American Commercial Pint (12.8 US fl. oz. [378-ml], or 110 a US gallon) / British Reputed Pint (13.33 imp. oz. [378 ml], or 112) an Imperial gallon), and Canadian "stubby" bottle (12 imp. oz. [341 ml]) may have been factors.
large (US)16 US fl oz473.18 mL1 US pint
pint (imp.)1 imp pt568.26 mLBeer sales in Britain and the Commonwealths were based on the imperial pint. Imperial-measure glasses were rounded down to 568 ml and metric-measure glasses usually round up to 570 mL. Beer bottles in the UK rounded down to 550 mL after standard metrication in 1995. This was later changed to 500 ml.
Sixth (US)22 US fl oz1.14 imp pt651 mL16 US gallon, rounded up from 21.3 US fl oz. Also called a "bomber" or a "double deuce" (from the two #2s, or "deuces", in its volume). Mostly replaced by the 40 US fl oz bottle by the late 1980s, but still used by some breweries for beer and malt liquor. Metric measure containers are rounded down to 650 ml. The US 23-ounce beer glass holds a Sixth of beer, plus the head.
tallboy24 US fl oz1.249 imp pt710 mLA can containing 34 US fluid quarts. Also called a "7-10" in Canada.
flagon32 US fl oz1.66 imp pt946.35 mL1 US quart.
40 (imp.)40 imp fl oz1.13 liters (L)2 imp pints, 1 imp quart, or a quarter of an imperial gallon.
40 (US)40 US fl oz2.08 imp pt1.18 L2.5 US liquid pints. Might have been inspired by the Canadian 40 imp oz bottle. Malt liquor is often bottled in "40's"
Third (US)42 US fl oz-1.242 L13 US gallon. Mostly replaced by the 40 US fl oz bottle by the late 1980s.
small pitcher (US)32 US fl oz1.77 L2 US pints. The 32 oz pitcher is usually used with large 16 oz. beer glasses (2 glasses per pitcher).
medium pitcher (US)48 US fl oz1.77 L3 US pints. The 48 oz pitcher is usually used with large 16 oz. beer glasses (3 glasses per pitcher).
large pitcher (US)60 US fl oz1.77 L3.75 US pints. The 60 oz pitcher is usually used with medium 12 oz. beer glasses (5 glasses per pitcher).
growler64 US fl oz1.89 L12 US gallon.
Darwin stubby80 imp fl oz2.273 LStandard Australian bottle size, equal to half of an Imperial gallon. Later rounded off to 2.25 L (79.18 imp oz) after metrication. It's rounded down further to 2 L (70.39 imp oz) in states with strict drinking laws.
bucket (UK)4 imp gal18.18 LObsolete measure.
pin4.5 imp gal20.46 L
Sixtel Keg5.16 US gal.-19.53 LSixth of a US beer barrel
pony keg7.75 US gal-29.33 LQuarter of a US Beer barrel
anker (US)10 US gal8.33 imp gal37.85 LAn obsolete Dutch measurement, originally used for a small cask of wine or brandy. It was brought to the New World by the former Dutch colony of Nieuw Amsterdam (renamed to New York City by the English in 1664). It was adopted by Colonial New York and New Jersey as a standard measure and was retained by America after independence. It was also used in Europe, where it varied in capacity from 9 to 11 US gallons.
firkin9 imp gal40.91 L2 pins
keg15.5 US gal58.67 L12 US beer barrel.
kilderkin18 imp gal81.83 L2 firkins
US barrel31 US gal[2]117.35 L2 kegs
UK barrel36 imp gal163.66 L2 kilderkins
hogshead54 imp gal245.49 L6 firkins or 3 kilderkins
puncheon72 imp gal327.32 L2 barrels
butt108 imp gal490.98 L2 hogsheads or 3 barrels
tun216 imp gal981.96 L2 butts or 3 puncheons.

Liquor measurements

The following table lists common sizes for liquors and spirits.[3][4]

NameUS customary unitsImperial unitsEnglish unitsMetric units
(direct conversion)
Metric units
(legal/convention)
Notes
Hint1128 tsp[5]
Drop164 tsp[5]
Dash18 tsp[5]
Bartender's Teaspoon (U.S.) or Splash[5]18 fl oz[6]
Count0.5 US fl oz14.8 mL15 mLUsing calibrated pour spouts that restrict flow to 0.5 fl oz/s
Bartender's Tablespoon (U.S.)38 US fl oz[6]
Mouthful (UK)--1/2 Wine oz.14.78 mL15 mL1/32 of a Wine Pint. Obsolete with the introduction of Imperial measures in 1826.
16 Gill (Imp.)56 imp fl oz23.7 mL25 mLLegal serving of spirits (gin, rum, vodka and whisky) defined in 1963 Weights and Measures Act (1963-1984)
Shot (UK)25 mL or 35 mLLegal serving of spirits (gin, rum, vodka and whisky) in the UK since 1985.[7]
Roquille (France)~29.75 mlA measure of spirits[8] in the Ancien Régime of France (before 1795), being 132 of a French pinte (~952.1 ml).
15 Gill (Scottish)1 imp fl oz28.4 mL30 mLTraditional Scottish spirits measure
Peg (India)1 imp fl oz-28.4 mL30 mLAlso called a "small peg"; a "large peg" is a double measure of 2 imperial ounces (60 ml). Traditional spirits measure on the Indian subcontinent.
14 Gill (Irish)1 14 imp fl oz35.5 mL35 mlTraditional Irish spirits measure
Pony (U.S.)1.0 US fl oz30 mLDefined as 12 of a jigger.[9] Was used to measure a cordial.
Pony (Eng.)0.749 US fl. oz.0.78 imp. fl. oz.34 Wine oz.22.18 ml25 mL(6 drams) May be derived from holding a "pennyworth" of beer.
Jigger (U.S.)1.5 US fl oz44.36 mL45 mLTypical size after U.S. Prohibition, but varies
Short shot (U.S.)1.5 US fl oz44.36 mL45 mL[10]:12
Jigger (Imp.)18 gill35.52 mL35 mLLegal U.K. spirits measure from 1826 to 1984, for Gin, rum, vodka and whisky.
Jigger (Eng.)1.5 imp fl oz42.61 mL42 mL3 Tablespoons or 2 Ponies.
Jigger (U.S.)2.0 US fl oz60 mLBefore U.S. Prohibition[10]
Hooker2.5 imp fl oz1 14 jigger[10]:12 (5 tablespoons)
Jack (UK)2.5 imp. oz.71 mL70mLHistorically equivalent to two jiggers or handfuls, or half a gill.[11][12] No longer in general use.
Snit3.0 US fl oz88.72 mL90 mLTwo jiggers.
Gill (U.S.)4.0 US fl oz118.294 mL120 mLPronounced /ˈɪl/ JIL, historically equivalent to two jacks, half a cup, or a quarter pint.[11][12]
Gill (Imp.)5.0 imp fl oz142.065 mL150 mLPronounced /ˈɪl/ JIL, historically equivalent to two jacks, half a cup, or a quarter pint.[11][12] May also be an eighth of a pint (2.5 imp fl oz or 71 mL) in Scotland.
Tumbler (UK)6.39 US fl oz6.6 imp. oz.189 ml190 mL or 200 mLA British tumbler was 13 of an Imperial pint.
Tumbler (US)8 US fl oz8.33 imp. oz236.58 ml235 mLAn American tumbler is 12 of a US fluid pint, the same size as a Cup.
Gill of Beer (UK)10 imp fl oz284 mL280 mLA gill of beer (or "glass") is equal to half an imperial pint (10 imperial fluid ounces or 280 millilitres) in parts of England.[13] It is a holdover from when spirits, wines and brandies, ale, and beer all had different standard measures of capacity.
Whiskey Barrel53 US gallons44 Imp. gallons200 LAn international standard measurement for whiskey.
Whiskey Hogshead66 US gallons55 Imp. gallons--250 LAn international standard measurement for whiskey.
Whiskey Butt132 US gallons110 Imp. gallons--500 LAn international standard measurement for whiskey.

Liquor bottles

Standard Metric Liquor Containers
NameUS customary unitsImperial unitsMetric unitsNotes
Miniature1.7 US fl oz1.8 imp fl oz50 mLReplaced the 2 US fl oz (59 mL) US miniature-sized bottle after metrification. Typically served on airline flights. Also known as a "nip" or "shooter" in certain locales, or a “Mini” in Canada.
half pint6.8 US fl oz7.0 imp fl oz200 mLCalled a media pinta in Spanish or naggin in Ireland.[14]
demi11.8 US fl oz12.3 imp fl oz350 mLA half-sized EU T2L Standard Liquor Bottle, considered a European metric "pint".
shoulder11.8 US fl oz12.3 imp fl oz350 mLA flask-style bottle with rounded shoulders. Common in Ireland; also called a 'double naggin' or a "daddy naggin"[15]
pinta12.34 US fl oz12.84 imp fl oz365 mL"Pint". An intermediate between the US and European metric "pints" used for locally produced liquor in Central America. In Costa Rica it is called a Pacha ("baby bottle").
pint12.7 US fl oz13.2 imp fl oz375 mL[16]A half-sized non-EU Standard Liquor Bottle, considered a US metric "pint". Called a mickey in Canada.
half litre--500 mLConsidered a standardized metric "pint". Common in Europe, but discontinued in the United States.
European spirit bottle23.7 US fl oz1 imp pt, 4.6 imp fl oz700 mLEU Standard Liquor Bottle used by T2L member nations to deter non-payment of duties and tariffs. Considered a European metric "quart". Common worldwide outside of the Americas and Cuba.
fifth25.4 US fl oz1 imp pt, 6.4 imp fl oz750 mLA non-EU Standard Liquor Bottle, considered a US metric "quart". Called a "two-six" or "26er" in Canada (as in 26 US fluid oz), also known as a "BOTII/Mzinga" in Kenya.
litre33.8 US fl oz1 imp pt, 15.2 imp fl oz1 LConsidered a standardized metric "quart".
half gallon59.2 US fl oz3 imp pt, 1.6 imp fl oz1.75 LAlso known as a "handle", due to most 1.75 L bottles having a handle. Called a "60" or "60-pounder" in Canada (as in 60 US fl oz).
Texas Mickey101.4 US fl oz5 imp pt, 5.5 imp fl oz3.0 LCalled a "101" in Canada. Often seen in Canada for celebratory purposes. Usually contains vodka, rum or whisky.
Comes with a small pump to dispense the liquor, as it is too heavy and unwieldy to pour.
Obsolete Pre-Metric Liquor Containers
NameUS customary unitsImperial unitsMetric unitsNotes
116 Pint (US)1 US fl oz1.04 imp fl oz29.57 mLFormer size for US brandy nip bottles before metrication. Replaced by the 50 mL "metric nip".
Miniature (US)1.5 US oz-44.36 mLFormer size for US miniature bottles before metrication that were based on the post-Prohibition jigger. Replaced by the 50 mL "metric nip".
110 Pint (US)1.6 US fl oz1.66 imp fl oz47.31 mLFormer size for US nip bottles before metrication. Replaced by the 50 mL "metric nip".
18 Pint (US)2 US fl oz2.08 imp fl oz59.14 mLFormer size for US miniature bottles before metrication that were based on the pre-Prohibition jigger. Replaced by the 50 mL "metric nip".
Twelfth (US)11 US fl oz-325 mlA twelfth (0.083) of a US Gallon, rounded up from its actual volume of 10.66 US fl oz. Formerly used for beer until it was replaced by the 34 Pint (12 US oz.) bottle after World War 2.
Tenth (US)12.8 US fl oz-378 mLA tenth (0.1) of a US gallon. Called a "Commercial Pint" because it was equivalent to 0.8 US fluid pints. Replaced by the 375 mL "metric pint".
Reputed Pint (UK)-13.3 imp oz.378 mLThe "Reputed Pint" (23 Imperial pint or 112 Imperial gallon) was devised to split a standard gallon into twelve small bottles. Originally it was based on the British Wine gallon, which was later adopted by the United States as their standard fluid gallon. This made a Wine Gallon "Reputed Pint" equivalent to 23 US fluid pint (10.66 US fluid oz.), 11.09 imp. oz, or 315 mL. Although the Imperial system was introduced in 1824, bottles of ale or beer were still sold in Reputed Pints (13.3 imperial oz) but were now based on the Imperial gallon (based on the British Ale Gallon). It was later replaced by the Imperial Pint (20 imp oz / 568 ml) in the 20th century.
Sixth (US)22 US fl oz-651 mlA sixth (0.166) of a US Gallon, rounded up from its actual volume of 21.33 US fl oz. Formerly used for cheap liquor like gin and vodka. Replaced by the 500 mL "half-liter", which was dropped in 1989.
Fifth (US)25.6 US fl oz1 imp pt, 6.6 imp fl oz757 mLA fifth (0.2) of a US gallon. Called a "Commercial Quart" because it was equivalent to 0.8 US fluid quarts. Replaced by the 750 mL "metric quart".
Reputed Quart (UK)-26.6 imp oz.756 mLThe "Reputed Quart" (23 Imperial quart, 16 Imperial gallon) was devised to split a standard gallon into six large bottles and was usually used for wine and liquor. Originally it was based on the British Wine gallon, which was later adopted by the United States as their standard fluid gallon. When the Imperial system was introduced in 1824, measures of wine or liquor were still sold in either Reputed Quarts (26.6 imp oz.) or Imperial Quarts (40 imp oz.). It was later replaced by the Imperial Quart (40 imp oz / 1136 ml) in the 20th century.
Quart (Imp.)38.5 US fl oz1 imp. quart1.14 LReferred to as a "40" in Canada (as in 40 Imperial ounces) and a liter in the United States. Usually replaced with liter bottles after metrication.
Half gallon (US)64 US fl oz1.89 L12 US gallon. Replaced by the 1.75 L "metric half-gallon" in 1976.

The British Reputed Pint and Reputed Quart were used in Great Britain and throughout the Empire from the late 17th century until the early 20th century. Originally there were different standard gallons depending on the type of alcohol. That meant that the Reputed measures varied depending on which standard gallon was used. A Reputed Pint of beer was equal to 285 mL (1/2 an Ale Pint, or equivalent to 10 imperial oz. or 9.63 US oz.) and a Reputed Quart of wine was equal to 730 mL (3/4 of a Wine Quart, or 24.68 US fluid oz.). When the Imperial system was adopted in 1824, the fluid gallon was standardized on the old Ale Gallon (which had 160 fluid ounces). However, Reputed pints and quarts were still used by breweries and merchants, but measurements were now based on the Imperial system. There was still confusion about whether Reputed or Imperial measures was being used by the merchant, so eventually Imperial pints and quarts were made standard in the early 20th century.

The United States adopted the British Wine Gallon (which had 128 fluid ounces) as standard. The laws concerning the production and sale of alcohol stated that it had to be sold in portions of a gallon for tax purposes. A standard case of bottled beer, wine or liquor had to be equal to two gallons and bottles came in half-dozens and dozens rather than fourths (quarts) and eighths (pints). There would be 24 small bottles (Twelfths of a US gallon) or 12 large bottles (Sixths of a US gallon) per case. The bottles were later increased in size (Tenths and Fifths of a US gallon) to be equivalent to British Reputed Pints and Quarts, allowing them to be interchangeable for export. The American liquor industry later referred to these measures as "Commercial Pints" (Tenths) and "Commercial Quarts" (Fifths).

Wine measurements

The following table contains various measurements that are commonly applied to wine.[17]

NameUS fluid ounces (approx.)Metric unitsNo. of 750 mL bottlesNotes
Quarter bottle6.3187.5 mL14Also known as a piccolo,[18] pony,[19] snipe[20] or split.[21] They are commonly served in packs of 4 bottles.
Chopine8.5250 mL13Bordeaux region. A metric half-pint.
Half bottle12.7375 mL12Also known as a demi.[22]
Half Litre16.9500 mL23Used for sweet wines like Tokays and Sauternes.
Bottle25.4750 mL1European Standard Bottle for wine and spirits.
Litre33.81 L1 14Popular size for Austrian wines
Magnum50.71.5 L2
Double Magnum101.43 L4Bordeaux region
Jeroboam101.43 L4Champagne region
Jeroboam152.24.5 L6Bordeaux region
Rehoboam152.24.5 L6Champagne and Burgundy regions
Imperial202.96 L8Bordeaux region
Methuselah202.96 L8Champagne and Burgundy regions
Salmanazar304.39 L12
Balthazar405.812 L16
Nebuchadnezzar507.215 L20
Melchior608.718 L24
Obsolete Pre-Metric and Metric Containers
NameUS fluid ounces (approx.)Metric unitsNotes
Half Bottle (US)12354 mLUsed for domestically-produced sparkling white wine in the place of the French metric 375 mL champagne punt. Rounded-down from 12.68 US fl oz (375 mL). Still wines (Red, White, and Rose) came in US pint (16 US fl. oz., or 473 mL) and Tenth (12.8 US fl.oz., or 378 mL) bottles. Replaced in 1980 with the metric 375 mL Demi Bottle for both still and sparkling wines.
Half Liter (US)16.9500 mL23 Bottle. Was one of the eight standardized US metric bottle sizes listed on January 1, 1980, but was withdrawn on June 30, 1989. Still used in countries that sell wine in half-liters and liters.
Bottle (US)25739 mLUsed for domestically-produced sparkling white wine in the place of the French metric 750 mL champagne punt. Rounded down from 25.36 US fl oz (750 mL).
Still wines (Red, White, and Rose) came in US quart (32 US fl oz / 946 mL) or Fifth (25.6 US fl oz / 757 mL) bottles. Replaced in 1980 with the metric 750 mL Standard Bottle for both still and sparkling wines.

References

  1. "Nipperkin". World Wide Words: Investigating the English language across the globe. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  2. 27 CFR § 25.11.
  3. http://fooduniversity.com/foodu/food_c/reference/bottle_size_for_liquor.htm Liquor Bottle Size
  4. "Bartending/Glossary/Table of measures and conversions". Wikibooks. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  5. eliacopoulos, lew. "Dash, Pinch, and Smidgen and other Unusual Measurements". Festibrate: Your Holiday & Seasonal Guide for Food & Lifestyle. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  6. Rowlett, Russ. "How Many? A Dictionary of Units of Measurement". University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  7. Gov.UK. "Weights and measures: the law". Official U.K. Government website. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  8. Schwarz-Bart, Simone (2015-03-02). Schwarz-Bart: Pluie et Vent sur Télumée Miracle. ISBN 9781472538642. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
  9. Kappeler, George J. (1895). Modern American Drinks: How to Mix and Serve All Kinds of Cups and Drinks. p. 19.
  10. Willett, Andrew (2016). Elemental Mixology. p. 8. ISBN 9781300013525. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  11. Klein, Herbert Arthur (1974). The Science of Measurement: A Historical Survey. New York: Dover Publications, Inc. p. 34. ISBN 0-486-25839-4. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  12. Singer, Charles (November 29, 1952). "Nova et Vetera - Ancient Egyptian Medicine". British Medical Journal. 2 (4795): 1201. doi:10.1136/bmj.2.4795.1201. PMC 2021913. PMID 12997700.
  13. International Dictionary of Food and Cooking by Charles Gordon Sinclair, ISBN 1-57958-057-2, published by Taylor & Francis, 1998
  14. MacNamee, Garreth (12 February 2015). "Sneaky Naggin: Students downing dangerous levels of spirits after new drinking trend takes hold".
  15. "The naggin – An Acre of Pints". www.anacreofpints.com.
  16. Elizabeth E. Epstein; Barbara S. McCrady (2009). Overcoming Alcohol Use Problems: A Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Program. Oxford University Press. p. 7.
  17. http://sherlocks.com/wine-measurements-guide/ Wine Measurements Guide
  18. piccolo > English
  19. pony > English
  20. snipe > English
  21. split > English > Noun
  22. demi > English > Noun

Further reading

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