A standard drink is equivalent to which of the following?

A standard drink is equivalent to which of the following?

• A. A standard drink is equivalent to one and a half ounces of 80-proof liquor.
• B. A standard drink is equivalent to twelve ounces of beer.
• C. A standard drink is equivalent to five ounces of wine.
• D. A standard drink is equivalent to all of the above.

Answer: (D)

A standard drink represents about 14 grams (0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol, which provides a common reference to compare different beverages. Each of these amounts delivers roughly that same amount of alcohol: 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor (which is 40% ABV) contains about 0.6 ounces of ethanol; 12 ounces of beer at about 5% ABV also contains about 0.6 ounces; and 5 ounces of wine at about 12% ABV likewise contains about 0.6 ounces. Because each serving has the same amount of alcohol, they all count as one standard drink, so the correct choice is that all of these are standard drinks.

A standard drink represents about 14 grams (0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol, which provides a common reference to compare different beverages. Each of these amounts delivers roughly that same amount of alcohol: 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor (which is 40% ABV) contains about 0.6 ounces of ethanol; 12 ounces of beer at about 5% ABV also contains about 0.6 ounces; and 5 ounces of wine at about 12% ABV likewise contains about 0.6 ounces. Because each serving has the same amount of alcohol, they all count as one standard drink, so the correct choice is that all of these are standard drinks.