How many alcohol units are there in a can of beer? From gin and whiskey to vodka, booze percentages explained
NOW the weather's improving, it can be tempting to crack open a nice cool can of lager.
But how many alcohol units are in each tin of beer, and how does it compare to other drinks? Here's what you need to know...
What is a unit of alcohol?
Units are used in the UK to quantify the actual alcoholic content of as drink, not just its quantity, and aim to provide an easy scale for the amount that you are drinking.
For example, one pint of beer contains nearly three units – the same amount as a large (250ml) glass of wine, despite there being a vast difference in volume.
For spirit based drinks, most bars and pubs in England use a single measure as 25ml, which usually contains one unit.
However, spirits and liqueurs vary depending by drink, so some are more dangerous than others.
How many units of alcohol are there in beer?
There are around two units in a pint of beer, assuming it's of 3.6% volume.
Some trendy lagers can have much higher alcohol contents, so make sure you check the label.
A 330ml bottle of beer, on the other hand, will contain 1.7 units in a 330ml bottle.
And a 440ml can of lager, with a 4.5% volume, will also contain two units.
How many alcohol units are there in a gin and tonic?
Gin usually has a 37.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) percentage, so in one 25ml measure, there is 0.9 units.
ABV is calculated by how much ethanol (pure alcohol) is present in 100ml of any given drink, and is used worldwide.
Obviously, if you prefer your tipple on the strong side, a double gin and tonic is 1.8 units.
If you regularly drink at home, you should be careful with your measures, as it’s easy to pour too much and be unaware of your intake.
What about other spirits?
Whether you prefer vodka and lemonade or rum and coke, here’s how your favourite spirits compare:
- Rum – usually has 40% ABV, so a measure is one unit
- Vodka – same as rum, one unit
- Whiskey – the minimum for whiskey tends to be 40% ABV, so can be slightly higher than one unit, depending on brand
- Irish cream liqueur - usually has around 17% ABV, which is good news for Baileys fans, as one 25ml measure is just 0.4 units,. However, it’s very sugary and calorific, so shouldn’t be drank in large quantities
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How many units are we allowed to drink?
According to the UK Chief Medical Officers’ (CMO), nobody should drink more than 14 units a week on a regularly basis.
This is around 14 gin and tonics, but if you regularly drink this amount a week, it's best to spread them over at least three days.
Drinking regularly increases your risk of cancer, liver disease, and diabetes, as well as causing harm to yourself and others if you put yourself in risky situations while intoxicated.
Around four units of alcohol would put the average man over the drink-drive limit, and three units for women - but it does depend on your size and metabolism.
If you’re pregnant, you shouldn’t drink alcohol at all.