Which of the following defines a standard drink size?

• A. 12 oz beer, 5 oz wine, 1.5 oz hard liquor
• B. 8 oz beer, 6 oz wine, 1 oz hard liquor
• C. 16 oz beer, 4 oz wine, 2 oz hard liquor
• D. 10 oz beer, 5 oz wine, 1 oz hard liquor

Answer: (A)

A standard drink is defined by a roughly equal amount of ethanol across beverages—about 14 grams (0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol. In common U.S. servings that translates to approximately 12-ounce beer, 5-ounce wine, or 1.5-ounce of 80-proof liquor. The option with 12 oz beer, 5 oz wine, and 1.5 oz hard liquor matches these typical equivalents, so it defines a standard drink. The other sets use sizes that deviate from these standard portions, either a smaller or larger total ethanol content, so they do not represent a standard drink.