In order to determine what is low risk drinking, we first have to understand what is a standard drink. It has been determined that one standard drink is equivalent to 0.5 ounces of pure alcohol.
This makes every drink different. How do we find out what is one drink? Use the chart below for a listing of several common types of alcoholic beverages.
| Standard American Beer | 3 – 5% Alcohol | 12 ounce can, bottle or glass |
| Microbrew or European Beer | 8 – 12% Alcohol | 6 ounces |
| Table Wine | 12 – 17% Alcohol | 4 ounce glass |
| Standard Wine Cooler | 4 – 6% Alcohol | 10 ounce bottle |
| Hard Liquor | 80 proof or 40% Alcohol | 1.5 ounces or 1 standard shot |
| Hard Liquor | 100 proof or 50% Alcohol | 1 ounce |
| Bottle of Wine: 25 ounces | 12 – 17% Alcohol | 5 Standard Drinks Total |
| Bottle of Wine: 40 ounces | 12 – 17% Alcohol | 8 Standard Drinks Total |