Standard Drinks: What are they and how do they relate to alcohol?

In the world of alcoholic beverages, it is important to understand the concept of standard drinks. Why? It is because they are directly related to the amount of alcohol we consume. In addition, they include basic regulations that must be considered when producing them. Therefore, in the following article, we will explain what they are and what you should know about them.

What are Standard Drinks?

These types of drinks are units of measurement used internationally to quantify the amount of alcohol in a beverage. They are therefore indispensable for understanding and controlling alcohol consumption. And not only at the individual level but also at the regulatory level.

A standard drink contains a specific amount of pure alcohol, expressed in grams or units of volume, such as milliliters. This amount may vary slightly depending on the legislation of each country. In the United States, for example, it is equivalent to any beverage containing 0.6 ounces or 14 grams of pure alcohol, also called ethanol (Standard Drinks, n.d.).

Relationship with other Types of Drinks

Now, if you're wondering how these measures relate to different alcoholic beverages, here's the answer. When calculating the standard drink for wine, beer, and distilled spirits, one considers their alcohol content and the total volume of the beverage.

Most beers have about 5% alcohol. Wine, on the other hand, has about 12%, while distilled spirits have a high 40%. Therefore, the portions are small. However, the alcohol content may vary according to the brand and type of drink.

distillate is usually a much smaller amount by volume. However, it contains the same amount of alcohol as a standard drink of wine or beer. So no matter whether you are talking about fruit alcoholic drinks or purer drinks, they contain the same amount of alcohol as standard drinks of other spirits.

Exceeding Standard Levels

Do you know what happens if a drink exceeds the level of standard drinks? In many cases, its consumption can increase the risk of intoxication, unwanted side effects, and long-term health problems. Therefore, it is crucial to comply with the measures when making a product with alcohol. Other key reasons are:

• Following these guidelines ensures consistency in the quality and alcohol content of the product. This provides safety and consumer satisfaction.
• Doing so helps maintain the integrity and reputation of your brand. By ensuring transparency and compliance with regulations and standards, you will be a trusted beverage alcohol brand.
• In the United States, approval for the formulation of alcoholic beverages is granted only after a thorough evaluation process. In it, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) examines the ingredients, alcohol percentage, and brewing methods of the proposed product (MetaBrand, 2023).

Never forget to always adhere to standard drinks guidelines. And if you produce mixed drinks, such as apple cider cocktails, we at Bierfrucht provide you with the best fruit purees to make them. Click here to learn more about our products.

 Referencias bibliográficas

Standard Drinks. (s.f.). What is a Standard Drink? https://standarddrinks.org

MetaBrand. (2022, 12 de julio). Alcoholic Drink Formulation Regulations in USA: Stay Informed. https://metabrandcorp.com/alcoholic-drink-formulation-regulation-in-usa/