Serving and Calorie Measurements Bartenders Should Know

Bartending For Dummies

Regardless of what you are serving at your event, bartenders should make themselves familiar with some common measurements and serving sizes. Being prepared with this knowledge will make you more prepared to deal with any situation that comes at you behind the bar.

Bottle-related measurements

Here is some handy information about the capacities of standard distilled spirit bottles.

Bottle Size	Fluid Ounces	Bottles/Case	Liters/ Case	Gallons/Case
1.75 liters	59.2	6	10.50	2.77
1 liter	33.8	12	12.00	3.17
750 ml	25.4	12	9.00	2.38
500 ml	16.9	24	12.00	3.17
200 ml	6.8	48	9.60	2.54
50 ml	1.7	120	6.00	1.59

Wine bottles come in different sizes than distilled spirit bottles.

Bottle Size	Fluid Ounces	Bottles/Case	Liters/Case	Gallons/Case
4 liters	135.0	N/A	N/A	N/A
3 liters	101.0	4	12.00	3.17
1.5 liters	50.7	6	9.00	2.38
1 liter	33.8	12	12.00	3.17
750 ml	25.4	12	9.00	2.38
375 ml	12.7	24	9.00	2.38
187 ml	6.3	48	8.98	2.38
100 ml	3.4	60	6.00	1.59

Beer measurements

Ever wonder how much beer is in a barrel?

Barrel Size	Gallons	Equivalent Measurement
1 barrel of beer	31.0 gallons	13.8 cases of 12 oz. cans or bottles, or 2 kegs
½ barrel of beer	15.5 gallons	1 keg
¼ barrel of beer	7.75 gallons	½ keg
1/8 barrel of beer	3.88 gallons	¼ keg

Drinks per bottle

How many glasses can you get out of a standard spirit or wine bottle?

Serving Size	750 ml Bottle	1-Liter Bottle	1.75-Liter Bottle
1 oz.	25	33	59
1¼ oz.	20	27	47
1½ oz.	17	22	39
3 oz.	8	11	19
4 oz.	6	8	14
5 oz.	5	6	11
6 oz.	4	5	9

Calories and carbohydrates

Most people watch what they eat, but many dieters sometimes forget to watch what they drink. Alcohol is a form of sugar, so it's high in calories. If you're counting calories or trying to keep tabs on your carbohydrate consumption, check out these measurements.

Drink	Calories	Carbohydrates (Grams)
Beer (12 oz.)
Light beer	110	6.9
Typical beer	144	11.7
Bourbon (1 oz.)
80 proof	65	trace
86 proof	70	trace
90 proof	74	trace
94 proof	77	trace
100 proof	83	trace
Brandy (1 oz.)
80 proof	65	trace
86 proof	70	trace
90 proof	74	trace
94 proof	77	trace
100 proof	83	trace
Champagne (4 oz.)
Brut	92	2.1
Extra Dry	97	2.1
Pink	98	3.7
Coffee Liqueur (1 oz.)
53 proof	117	16.3
63 proof	107	11.2
Gin (1 oz.)
80 proof	65	0.0
86 proof	70	0.0
90 proof	74	0.0
94 proof	77	0.0
100 proof	83	0.0
Rum (1 oz.)
80 proof	65	0.0
86 proof	70	0.0
90 proof	74	0.0
94 proof	77	0.0
100 proof	83	0.0
Scotch (1 oz.)
80 proof	65	trace
86 proof	70	trace
90 proof	74	trace
94 proof	77	trace
100 proof	83	trace
Tequila (1 oz.)
80 proof	64	0.0
86 proof	69	0.0
90 proof	73	0.0
94 proof	76	0.0
100 proof	82	0.0
Vodka (1 oz.)
80 proof	65	0.0
86 proof	70	0.0
90 proof	74	0.0
94 proof	77	0.0
100 proof	83	0.0
Whiskey (1 oz.)
80 proof	65	0.0
86 proof	70	0.0
90 proof	74	0.0
94 proof	77	0.0
100 proof	83	0.0
Wine (1 oz.)
Aperitif	41	2.3
Port	41	2.3
Sherry	41	2.3
White or red table	29	1.2
Other
Energy drink	113	28.2

About This Article

About the book author:

R. Foley is the founder and editor of BARTENDER Magazine. A consultant to some of the United States’ top distillers and importers, he is responsible for creating and naming new drinks for the liquor industry.