A fifth of alcohol, also known as a “fifth”, is a common unit for bottling and selling distilled spirits in the United States. But how many ounces are actually in a fifth? Let’s take a closer look.
What is a Fifth of Alcohol?
A fifth is a unit of measurement used for bottling distilled spirits. It equates to one-fifth of a US gallon, which is the equivalent of 757 ml. A fifth contains approximately 25.6 US fluid ounces of alcohol.
The term “fifth” comes from the practice of dividing a gallon of distilled spirits into five equal-sized bottles. This was a common bottling practice used by distillers in the 19th century.
Nowadays, you’ll see fifths, sometimes labeled as 750 ml bottles, sold in liquor stores. They are one of the most standard sized bottlings for spirits like whiskey, vodka, rum, tequila, and more.
Breaking Down the Ounces in a Fifth
To understand exactly how many ounces are in a fifth bottle of alcohol, let’s break it down:
- 1 US gallon = 128 US fluid ounces
- 1 fifth = 1/5 of a US gallon
- So a fifth contains 128 / 5 = 25.6 US fluid ounces
To recap:
- 1 US gallon = 128 fl oz
- 1 fifth = 25.6 fl oz
So a standard fifth bottle contains 25.6 fluid ounces of alcohol according to US measurements. This is equal to approximately 757 ml as mentioned earlier.
Metric Conversion
Let’s also look at the metric conversions:
- 1 US gallon = 3785 ml
- 1 fifth = 757 ml
And in case you’re wondering how many centiliters are in a fifth, it works out to:
- 1 fifth = 757 ml
- 1 ml = 1 cm3
- So 757 ml = 757 cm3
Therefore, there are approximately 757 centiliters (or cubic centimeters) in a standard fifth bottle.
How Many Shots are in a Fifth?
When talking about alcohol, you’ll often hear references to “shots” as a unit of measurement. But how many shots are actually in a fifth bottle?
This depends on the pour size of the shot in question:
- A standard US shot is generally considered 1.5 oz
- With a fifth containing 25.6 oz, you get approximately 17 shots
- A slightly larger 2 oz pour would give you about 12-13 shots
So you can expect to get anywhere from 12-17 shots per fifth bottle, depending on the size of each shot.
How Many Drinks are in a Fifth?
When we talk about a “drink” of alcohol, in most cases we are referring to a standard serving size of a particular spirit:
- Beer – 12 oz
- Wine – 5 oz
- Distilled spirits – 1.5 oz
Using the standard serving size for distilled spirits, there are approximately 17 drinks in a fifth bottle:
- 1 fifth = 25.6 oz
- 1 drink = 1.5 oz
- 25.6 oz / 1.5 oz per drink = ~17 drinks
However, it’s important to drink responsibly and in moderation. This number of drinks should be consumed over an extended period of time, not all at once.
Common Fifth Sizes
While a standard fifth in the US contains 25.6 oz or 757 ml of alcohol, you may also see some variation in fifth sizes between brands and types of liquor:
| Bottle Size | Total mL | Total Oz |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Fifth | 757 | 25.6 |
| Small Fifth | 680 | 23 |
| Large Fifth | 1 L | 33.8 |
As you can see, a small fifth may contain only 23 oz, while a large fifth may go up to 33.8 oz. But the standard 25.6 oz fifth is the most common size you’ll see.
Fifth Sizes of Popular Alcohol Brands
To give you a better idea, here’s a look at the fifth size for some popular alcohol brands:
| Brand | Product | Fifth Size (ml) |
|---|---|---|
| Jack Daniel’s | Old No. 7 Whiskey | 757 |
| Smirnoff | Vodka | 750 |
| Bacardi | Superior White Rum | 750 |
| Jose Cuervo | Especial Gold Tequila | 750 |
| Tanqueray | London Dry Gin | 750 |
As you can see, most major brands stick very close to the standard 750 ml (25.6 oz) fifth size.
Avoid Confusion with Other Bottle Sizes
When shopping for alcohol, be sure not to confuse fifths with other common bottle sizes:
- Half gallon – 1.75 L or 59.2 oz
- Pint – 375 ml or 12.7 oz
- 750 ml Bottle – Standard fifth size
- Liter – 33.8 oz
- 40 oz Bottle – Often called a “forty”
A fifth is distinct from these other bottle sizes, at 757 ml or 25.6 oz of alcohol. Bottles may be labeled as “fifths” or with the 750 ml size.
Fifth of Alcohol FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about fifth bottles of alcohol:
Why is it called a fifth?
A fifth get its name from being 1/5 of a gallon (128 oz divided into five 25.6 oz bottles).
Are all fifths the same size?
Most are 750 ml or 25.6 oz, but you may occasionally see some small variation in size between brands or types of liquor.
How much alcohol is in a fifth?
A standard fifth contains about 25.6 oz or 757 ml of alcohol by volume.
How many shots in a fifth of vodka?
There are approximately 17 shots (at 1.5 oz each) in a fifth of vodka or any distilled spirit.
How many drinks in a fifth of wine?
At 5 oz per serving, a fifth of wine would contain about 5 standard drinks.
Can you bring a fifth of alcohol on an airplane?
Yes, you can pack a fifth of alcohol in your checked luggage as long as it is securely wrapped to prevent leakage. They are not allowed in carry-on bags.
Conclusion
In summary, a fifth is a bottle size for distilled spirits containing exactly one-fifth of a US gallon, or about 25.6 fluid ounces. The standard fifth size used by most major alcohol brands is 750 ml. Remembering this measurement will help you easily identify fifth bottles when shopping for your favorite spirits or estimating cocktail recipes.