Drink types
Spirits types and ABV basics
A 30 mL nip of 40% spirits is the NHMRC example of about one standard drink — the same 10 grams as a small beer or 100 mL of 13% wine.
- Spirits ~40% (about 1)
- 30 mL
- Common labelled ABV
- ~40%
- A double 30 mL nip
- ~2
- Still one standard drink
- 10 g
Spirits are stronger by volume than beer, not stronger per standard drink. Ten grams is still ten grams. NHMRC’s example of about one standard drink is 30 mL of spirits at about 40% ABV. A 375 mL full-strength beer is often about 1.4–1.5 standard drinks — more than that nip — while a double nip is about two.
Definition
Spirits (for counting). Distilled drinks typically labelled around 37–40% ABV or higher. The standard-drink count is volume × ABV × 0.789, same as beer and wine.
Spirits styles
Typical labelled ranges, not a shopping list
Style pages exist so you can count standard drinks. ABV ranges are educational approximations — the label on the product in your hand wins.
Gin
Gin botanicals are flavouring plants, not a strength rating. Typical ABV and how a 30 mL nip counts in Australian standard drinks.
Open gin
Rum
Rum is a distilled sugarcane spirit. Typical 37–40% ABV, overproof exceptions, and how a 30 mL nip counts in Australian standard drinks.
Open rum
Tequila
Tequila is a distilled agave spirit typically labelled around 35–40% ABV. A 30 mL nip at 40% is about one Australian standard drink.
Open tequila
Vodka
Vodka is a distilled spirit typically labelled around 37–40% ABV. A 30 mL nip is about one Australian standard drink. Education only.
Open vodka
Whisky
Whisky and whiskey are spelling variants of the same distilled drink family. Typical 40% ABV and how a 30 mL nip counts in Australian standard drinks.
Open whisky
Spirits versus beer — same alcohol, different serve
| Compare | Typical spirit serve | Typical beer serve |
|---|---|---|
| About one standard drink (NHMRC) | 30 mL at about 40%. | 285 mL at about 4.9%. |
| What people often pour | A free-pour or a double — easily two standard drinks. | A 375 mL can — often about 1.4–1.5, not one. |
| Mixers | Soft drink or juice does not remove grams of alcohol. | A shandy or mixer beer still counts the alcohol that remains. |
Questions
Questions people actually ask
Per millilitre, a 40% spirit is much stronger than a 4.9% beer. Per standard drink, they are the same 10 grams of alcohol. A 30 mL nip at 40% and a 285 mL full-strength beer are NHMRC’s paired examples of about one standard drink each.
Name the spirit, then count the nip
Whisky, gin, vodka, rum, and tequila pages give typical labelled ranges. Then put the grams next to the guideline — or choose not to drink.