A 750ml bottle contains approximately 17 standard pegs. A standard peg is generally considered to be 30ml. By dividing the total volume of 750ml by the 30ml peg size, we get 750/30 = 25 pegs total in a 750ml bottle. However, when pouring drinks, the full volume of the bottle is not utilized due to spillage, uneven pouring, etc. As a rule of thumb, it’s estimated that only about 85% of a bottle’s volume ends up in poured drinks. So for a 750ml bottle, the usable volume is about 85% of 750ml, or 637ml. At 30ml per peg, this gives us around 21 pegs. To be conservative and account for further spillage, it’s reasonable to estimate approximately 17 pegs in a 750ml bottle.
What is a standard drink peg size?
A standard drink peg is generally defined as 30ml of 40% ABV (alcohol by volume) spirit. This equates to approximately 12g of pure alcohol in each 30ml peg. The peg size can vary slightly by country, but 30ml is the most widely used standard. For reference:
- USA – peg is 44ml
- UK – peg is 25ml
- India – peg is 30ml
- Australia – peg is 30ml
So in most countries, including India, a standard drink peg is 30ml of 40% ABV spirit containing 12g alcohol.
Calculating pegs in a 750ml bottle
Let’s break down the math step-by-step:
- A 750ml bottle contains 750ml of liquid volume
- The standard Indian peg size is 30ml
- To calculate total pegs, divide total volume by peg size:
- 750ml / 30ml per peg = 25 pegs
- However, around 15% volume is lost due to spillage and uneven pouring
- So usable volume is approx. 85% of 750ml = 637ml
- The usable 637ml volume contains:
- 637ml / 30ml per peg = 21.2 pegs
- Rounding down to account for further spillage gives approximately 17 standard pegs in a 750ml bottle
So based on the 30ml Indian standard drink size, a 750ml bottle contains approximately 17 pegs at 85% usable liquid volume.
How much alcohol is in 17 pegs?
Using the standard 30ml peg size and 40% ABV spirit, we can calculate:
- Each 30ml peg contains 12g alcohol
- 17 pegs x 12g per peg = 204g alcohol total
So 17 standard pegs from a 750ml bottle would provide approximately 204g of alcohol in total.
Peg amounts based on alcohol type and brand
| Alcohol Type | Brand | ABV% | Pegs in 750ml Bottle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whiskey | Johnnie Walker Black | 40% | 17 |
| Rum | Bacardi Carta Blanca | 40% | 17 |
| Vodka | Absolut | 40% | 17 |
| Gin | Bombay Sapphire | 40% | 17 |
| Tequila | Jose Cuervo Especial | 40% | 17 |
| Brandy | Martell V.S.O.P | 40% | 17 |
| Rum | Bacardi Black | 40% | 17 |
| Whiskey | Jack Daniel’s | 40% | 17 |
| Vodka | Smirnoff | 40% | 17 |
| Gin | Gordon’s | 40% | 17 |
As shown above, most popular liquor brands around 40% ABV will give approximately 17 standard 30ml pegs from a 750ml bottle, assuming around 85% usable liquid volume.
How peg amount changes based on bottle size
Using our standard 750ml bottle calculation as a base reference, we can determine pegs for other common bottle sizes:
| Bottle Size | Total Volume | Usable Volume at 85% | Pegs at 30ml |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200ml | 200ml | 170ml | 5-6 pegs |
| 375ml | 375ml | 319ml | 10-11 pegs |
| 750ml | 750ml | 637ml | 17 pegs |
| 1 liter | 1000ml | 850ml | 28 pegs |
| 1.75 liter | 1750ml | 1488ml | 49 pegs |
This gives an estimate of how peg amounts scale up or down depending on the bottle size, assuming the same ~85% usable volume and 30ml peg size.
Factors that influence peg amount
There are a few key factors that determine how many pegs can be poured from a given bottle size:
- Pouring accuracy – Careful and consistent pouring yields more pegs. Sloppy pouring leads to more waste and fewer pegs.
- Bottle shape/design – Some bottle shapes pour more controllably than others.
- Peg size – Smaller peg sizes mean more pegs per bottle.
- Alcohol percentage (ABV) – Higher ABV gives less total volume but same alcohol content per peg.
- Tolerance for spillage – Accepting more spillage means calculating less usable volume.
Accounting for these factors allows a more precise peg estimate, although the typical 30ml peg and 85% usable volume provides a reasonable approximation in most cases.
Possible scenarios affecting pegs per bottle
Here are some examples of how various scenarios could alter the number of pegs calculated from a 750ml bottle:
- Perfect pours with minimal spillage – Up to 21 pegs
- Using a 35ml “large peg” size – Approximately 17 pegs
- Extremely sloppy pouring – As few as 14 pegs
- Higher 50% ABV spirit – Only about 13 pegs
- Small 20ml “shot” pours – Around 27 pegs
- Thick, sticky liquor (e.g. honey liqueur) – Potentially only 15 pegs
The typical 17 peg estimate provides a good rule of thumb, but various factors can result in a peg range of 13-21 from an average 750ml liquor bottle.
Tips for maximizing pegs per bottle
To get the most standard pegs out of a liquor bottle, follow these tips:
- Use a measuring jigger for accurate 30ml pours.
- Pour carefully and avoid spillage, especially early in the bottle.
- Choose bottle shapes with spouts that pour well.
- Seal bottle tightly between pours to avoid evaporation.
- Use a bottle pourer for better control.
- Store bottle upright to minimize residual pooling.
- Calculate usable volume on the conservative side.
With great care, it may be possible to squeeze out 1-2 extra pegs. But the typical 17 peg rule works for most scenarios.
Conclusion
In summary, a standard 750ml liquor bottle contains approximately 17 pours at the typical 30ml Indian peg size, assuming around 85% usable liquid volume. This useful rule of thumb works for most spirits and bottle types. While factors like pour accuracy, spillage, bottle shape, and peg size can alter the result, 17 pegs remains a reasonable estimate under normal conditions. So the next time you break out a fresh 750ml bottle, you can plan on enjoying around 17 standard pegs worth of drinks.
