Bartending School

Most people do not know what is a "standard" drink size. Most restaurants and bars serve over the amount of a standard drink. Extra alcohol a bonus? No, because it makes it difficult to determine how much you have had in order to calculate your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). No worries, we have some helpful information below!

Standard Drink Sizes

• 12 ounces of beer
• 10 ounces of microbeer
• 4-6 ounces of wine
• 1.25 ounces of 80 proof liquor
• 1 ounce of 100 proof liquor

 Do not rely on "eye-balling" a standard drink size. Check the ounces on all beer cans, bottles, or cups. Most shot glasses are larger than a 1.25 ounce, however some stores do carry that size.

Don't have a shot glass?

 You can determine a standard shot by using a party cup. The rings on a party cup represent sizes; We like to call them cheat sheets. The bottom ring around the cup is for a shot of liquor.

How many drinks in...?

Just to see if you are paying attention, we want to know how many drinks are in...

1. A margarita?
2. A long island iced tea?
3. A solo cup of jungle juice?

A: IT DEPENDS! Restaurants, bars, and/or your best friend make drink amounts different!

TIPS:

• Ask your server or bartender how many shots are in the mixed drink. People ask them all the time what is in certain sauces or on certain meals, so it should be no problem to ask what is in your drink.
• Avoid jungle juice if you can. You have no idea what is in the drink whether it be a lot of liquor, no liquor at all, or drugs.
• If you can't avoid jungle juice then perhaps make your own by measuring the shots of random liquor so you know how many drinks you will be consuming. Also, if you put it in a sealed bottle then it is less likely to be contaminated.

This information is for educational purposes only ! Remember that if you are in the State of Michigan then it is illegal to drink under the age of 21.