{"id":1732,"date":"2022-07-12T13:01:42","date_gmt":"2022-07-12T13:01:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.themixer.com\/en-uk\/?p=1732"},"modified":"2026-02-23T08:47:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T07:47:19","slug":"what-is-abv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.themixer.com\/en-uk\/learn\/what-is-abv\/","title":{"rendered":"What is ABV Anyway?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yeah. We know. ABV. Yawn. Sounds sciency<\/em> and boring. Like, who cares, right? <\/span>Turns out we do, and after reading this, you probably will too.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why? Because we all like making informed decisions\u2014and the smallest details matter. Things like whether the chicken you\u2019re having for dinner is organic. If there is any lactose in your creamy vegan pasta at a restaurant. Anxiously wondering what the calorie intake will be for that double-thick milkshake you just ordered. And if the cocktail you\u2019re about to drink is high in alcohol. It\u2019s all about having access to information to make better choices for ourselves.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The great thing about understanding alcohol by volume is that you can better guestimate<\/em> the effect an alcoholic beverage might have on you later, when it\u2019s safe to have more than one and when it\u2019s time to opt for that Uber ride home. Which, by the way, should <\/span>always<\/span><\/em>\u00a0be your rule when enjoying a few drinks. Yes. Even if it\u2019s just one. It\u2019s not worth the risk, so don\u2019t be\u00a0<\/span>that<\/span><\/em>\u00a0person.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A definition of ABV & why it is important<\/h2>\n

\"Variety<\/p>\n

Let’s start with the most obvious. What does ABV stand for? For those who don’t know, it means alcohol by volume. The higher the number, the boozier and more potent the drink.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While it\u2019s nothing new for bars to show the alcohol content of craft beers, it is a new trend to share the levels of alcoholic content in cocktails. It makes sense that alcohol by volume is now <\/span>a thing.\u00a0<\/span><\/em>Cocktail menus are more complex than ever, so it’s not surprising that bars all over have started to include details about drink strength. Because more and more people are choosing drinks that actually taste good over drinks that are strong.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But where does the notion of measuring alcohol percentage even come from? According to history, measuring alcohol dates back to the 16th century when the English government put an additional tax on “proof spirits,” or spirits that contained a relatively high amount of alcohol. And how did they estimate the levels of pure ethanol present back then? By soaking a gunpowder pellet in the liquor, then igniting it. If it caught fire, the drink was strong enough to justify adding extra tax. Pretty groovy job, if you ask us. In 1884, the ABV proof system was established in America.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>What is the difference between proof and ABV?<\/h2>\n

\"Friends<\/p>\n

Chances are you’ve seen two numbers on spirit bottles. The first, ABV (explained above), is mostly the international standard, and the second is proof. This type of alcohol measurement varies worldwide.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the UK, calculations are a little tricky. A 100-proof liquor comes to around 57% ABV. The ratio of proof to ABV is 4 to 7. So, if you multiply the ABV by 1.75, you get the proof. We told you. Tricky.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the US, things are a bit simpler. The rule of thumb is that proof is double the ABV. So, for example, if the average bottle of rum is 36% ABV, then it is 72 proof. So, a proof spirit is 100 proof (50% ABV) or higher.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, the French have the most fail-proof method (see what we did there?). Developed in 1824, 100% ABV equals 100 proof. So ABV percentage and proof are the same things in France. One of the few things they kept uncomplicated!\u00a0<\/span>Merci!<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Switching between ABV and proof is quite simple, as alcohol by volume is double the proof. So, for example, if a drink is 40% ABV, then it is 80 proof.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How is it measured?<\/h2>\n

\"Guy<\/p>\n

Just because you\u2019re not a bartender doesn\u2019t mean you shouldn\u2019t know how to do your ABVs. That\u2019s just lazy thinking! Understanding <\/span>alcohol by volume<\/span> will help you answer that age-old cocktail question: \u201cHow strong is this drink?\u201d When you can answer that, you can make more informed choices for yourself.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Measuring the alcohol strength of cocktails can be tricky. There are a lot of variables to keep in mind that will affect the strength of your drink. From the different spirits you\u2019re using, to the quantities of non-alcoholic mixers, whether you\u2019re shaking it with ice, adding water, and the size of the glass you\u2019re serving it in. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, how do you measure the <\/span>alcohol by volume<\/span> in cocktails?\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We have a (fairly) simple formula you can use in your guestimations: (alcohol content x liquor volume \/ total drink volume) x 100 = alcohol concentration percentage.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To do this calculation, begin by listing the alcoholic ingredients in your cocktail. Multiply each ingredient by its individual strength. Remember to account for the dilution of the drink when adding water, when it gets shaken, and when it gets stirred. The rule of thumb is to allow for 15 ml of total dilution in your calculation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Does alcohol content affect the taste of cocktails?<\/h2>\n

Alcohol by volume<\/span> absolutely affects the flavor of cocktails. As a general rule, remember: drinks with a higher alcohol percentage usually taste more bitter than those with a lower alcohol concentration. <\/span><\/p>\n

Alcohol content of different types of alcohol<\/h2>\n

Now that you know what alcohol concentration is, here’s a breakdown of your favorite drinks and their alcohol strength percentage.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n