The question, "How many drinks is 24 oz?" is a common one that reveals a fundamental misunderstanding about alcohol consumption. A 'drink' is not defined by its container size, but by the amount of pure ethanol it contains. The U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines one standard drink as containing 0.6 fluid ounces of pure alcohol. To find the number of standard drinks in a 24 oz beverage, one must first identify its Alcohol By Volume (ABV).
Calculating Standard Drinks in a 24 oz Beverage
To calculate the number of standard drinks, you can use a simple formula. The first step is to find the total ounces of pure alcohol in the 24 oz container. This is done by multiplying the total volume (24 oz) by the ABV (expressed as a decimal). The second step is to divide this result by 0.6 oz, the amount of pure alcohol in one standard drink.
Step-by-step formula:
- Total Ounces of Pure Alcohol = 24 (oz) x ABV (as a decimal)
- Number of Standard Drinks = (Total Ounces of Pure Alcohol) / 0.6
For example, a common craft beer might have an ABV of 8%. The calculation would be:
- Total Ounces of Pure Alcohol: $24 \times 0.08 = 1.92$ oz
- Number of Standard Drinks: $1.92 \div 0.6 \approx 3.2$ standard drinks
This single 24 oz can of 8% ABV beer contains more than three times the alcohol of a standard 12 oz, 5% beer, which is just one standard drink. This is a critical distinction for anyone monitoring their intake or trying to drink responsibly.
Practical Examples for Different Drink Types
To illustrate the variability, here is how a 24 oz serving would translate for different types of alcohol, assuming average ABV percentages:
- Regular Beer (5% ABV): A 12 oz can of 5% beer is one standard drink. Therefore, a 24 oz can of 5% beer is exactly two standard drinks. The math: $(24 \times 0.05) \div 0.6 = 2$.
- Malt Liquor (7% ABV): A standard drink of malt liquor is 8 oz at 7% ABV. A 24 oz serving would contain three standard drinks. The math: $(24 \times 0.07) \div 0.6 \approx 2.8$. This is a slightly different serving size convention, so relying on the pure alcohol calculation is more precise.
- Wine Cooler/Hard Seltzer (5% ABV): These often mimic the alcohol content of regular beer, meaning a 24 oz can would also be two standard drinks. The math: $(24 \times 0.05) \div 0.6 = 2$.
- High-ABV IPA or Imperial Stout (8-10% ABV): This is where the numbers climb quickly. A 24 oz serving of a 9% ABV beer would be four standard drinks. The math: $(24 \times 0.09) \div 0.6 = 3.6$.
Comparison of 24 oz Beverages by Standard Drink Count
| Beverage Type | Assumed ABV | Calculation | Number of Standard Drinks | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Beer | 5% | $(24 \times 0.05) / 0.6$ | 2.0 | Equivalent to two 12 oz cans. |
| Strong Beer / Craft Beer | 8% | $(24 \times 0.08) / 0.6$ | 3.2 | Higher ABV increases drink count significantly. |
| Malt Liquor | 7% | $(24 \times 0.07) / 0.6$ | 2.8 | Three of the standard 8 oz malt liquor servings. |
| Hard Seltzer | 5% | $(24 \times 0.05) / 0.6$ | 2.0 | Same as regular beer, but content may vary. |
| Cocktail Mix | Varies (e.g., 10%) | $(24 \times 0.10) / 0.6$ | 4.0 | Depends heavily on specific mix and spirits used. |
What About Mixed Drinks and Cocktails?
For a mixed drink or cocktail, a 24 oz glass could contain a very wide range of standard drinks. While a standard shot of spirits is 1.5 oz (40% ABV), and counts as one standard drink, a large cocktail could contain several shots. A 24 oz mixed drink with just three shots (4.5 oz) of liquor would contain 4.5 standard drinks, and that's before accounting for any other alcohol in the mix. When ordering mixed drinks, it is important to be aware of how many shots the drink contains.
The Importance of Reading Labels
Many ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages are now sold in larger cans, including 24 oz sizes, but with higher ABVs. Some alcopops, for instance, have higher percentages than typical beers. The only way to know for sure is to check the label for the stated ABV and use the calculation method above. This prevents a common mistake of assuming a 24 oz can is equivalent to two standard 12 oz drinks, when its actual content may be much higher.
Conclusion
Determining how many drinks is 24 oz requires a simple mathematical calculation that incorporates a beverage's ABV. A 24 oz drink is not a fixed number of standard drinks, but varies significantly based on alcohol content. The most important takeaway is to always check the ABV on the label rather than relying on volume alone. This awareness is crucial for responsible consumption and can help individuals make more informed choices about their alcohol intake. The next time you see a 24 oz container, take a moment to do the quick math to understand its true alcoholic strength.
One authoritative resource for learning more about standard drink sizes and how they are calculated is the CDC's guide: CDC - About Standard Drink Sizes.
