A mixed drink can contain varying numbers of standard drinks depending on the amount and type of alcohol used. A standard drink is defined in the U.S. as containing 14 grams (0.6 fluid ounces) of pure alcohol. For example, one standard drink could be:
- 12 ounces of beer at 5% alcohol by volume (ABV)
- 5 ounces of wine at 12% ABV
- 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits at 40% ABV (80 proof)
Because mixed drinks often contain multiple shots or types of spirits (which can be 40% ABV or higher), it is common for them to contain more than one standard drink. Some mixed drinks can have close to three or even four standard drinks, especially if they include multiple shots of liquor or higher proof spirits. For instance, a Long Island iced tea can contain about four standard drinks due to multiple types of alcohol blended in one drink. On the other hand, simpler cocktails like a wine spritzer or a mimosa tend to be closer to one standard drink. In summary, the number of standard drinks in a mixed drink depends on the recipe and how much alcohol is poured, but many mixed drinks contain more than one standard drink—sometimes three or more.
