A “handle” of alcohol refers to a large bottle of spirits. Understanding its contents involves recognizing its total liquid volume and, more importantly, the amount of pure alcohol it contains. Knowing these details helps comprehend the alcohol concentration within this popular container size.
What a Handle Means
A “handle” is an informal term for a 1.75-liter bottle of distilled spirits. This size is considerably larger than standard 750 ml bottles, often called “fifths.” The name originates from the built-in handle on these large bottles, designed to facilitate easier pouring and carrying.
A 1.75-liter handle holds 1750 milliliters (mL) of liquid, or approximately 59.17 fluid ounces. This measurement represents the total liquid volume in the bottle, encompassing both alcohol and water, rather than the pure alcohol content alone.
Determining Alcohol Volume
To understand the actual amount of pure alcohol in a handle, it is necessary to consider the Alcohol by Volume (ABV). ABV indicates the percentage of pure alcohol within the total liquid volume of a beverage. In the United States, alcohol strength is also commonly expressed in “proof,” which is typically twice the ABV percentage. For instance, a spirit with 40% ABV is 80 proof.
The pure alcohol content is determined by multiplying the total volume of the spirit by its ABV. For example, a common spirit found in a handle is 40% ABV. To calculate the pure alcohol, one would multiply 1.75 liters by 0.40 (40%), which yields 0.7 liters of pure alcohol. This calculation reveals the precise quantity of ethanol present in the handle.
Standard Servings Per Handle
Translating the pure alcohol volume into standard servings provides a practical understanding of a handle’s contents. In the United States, a standard drink contains 0.6 fluid ounces of pure alcohol. This standardized measure allows for consistent comparison across different alcoholic beverages, regardless of their serving size or container.
Converting the 0.7 liters of pure alcohol found in a 40% ABV handle to fluid ounces involves multiplying 0.7 liters by approximately 33.814 fluid ounces per liter, resulting in about 23.67 fluid ounces of pure alcohol. Dividing this total pure alcohol content by the standard drink amount (0.6 fluid ounces) indicates that a 1.75-liter handle of 40% ABV spirits contains approximately 39 standard drinks. This number can vary depending on the spirit’s ABV; a higher ABV spirit would contain more standard drinks, while a lower ABV spirit would contain fewer.