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Standard drinks

The use of standard drinks can help people to monitor their alcohol consumption and exercise control over the amount they drink.

A standard drink is defined as one that contains 10 grams of pure alcohol. Different types of alcoholic drinks contain different amounts of pure alcohol. For example, each of the drinks below are equal to approximately one standard drink.

  • Two 285 mL pots/middies/schooners/handles of light beer (2.7 per cent Alc./Vol).
  • One 375 mL stubbie of mid strength beer (3.5 per cent Alc./Vol).
  • Three-quarters of a 375 mL stubbie of full strength beer (4.9 per cent Alc./Vol).
  • One 285 mL pot/middy/schooner/handle of full strength beer (4.9 per cent Alc./Vol).
  • 100 mL of wine (12 per cent Alc./Vol).
  • Two-thirds of a 330 mL bottle of alcoholic soda (5.5 per cent Alc./Vol).
  • 30 mL of spirit or liqueur (40 per cent Alc./Vol).

Keep in mind

  • The ‘standard’ size of drinks served in some hotels may be bigger than the standard drinks you are used to. Large wine glasses can hold 2 standard drinks or even more.
  • Drinks served at home often contain more alcohol than a standard drink.
  • Cocktails can contain as many as 5 or 6 standard drinks, depending on the recipe.

For more information, please click on the Australian Drug Foundation's DrugInfo Clearinghouse web site link below.
australian drug foundation logo


 

myDr, 2002. Reproduced with kind permission from the Australian Drug Foundation.
©Copyright: myDr, UBM Medica Australia, 2000-2012. All rights reserved.


Last Reviewed: 20 September 2006

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