Figuring out how many drinks you can make from a bottle of vodka takes a lot of math. How big is the bottle? What is the serving size for this liquor? How many servings does this drink recipe call for? Is it cheaper to buy a larger bottle than two smaller ones?
If all of this is confusing to you, don’t worry. We’ll break down a little bit about the history of vodka, tell you exactly how much vodka is in a fifth, and give you some price points for common bottles on the market today.
Vodka has a long history, and the story varies depending on who you ask. We know that it originated in Eastern Europe, specifically in Russia, Poland, and Sweden. Each of these countries produces vodka differently, and thus, each type will have a different ABV%.
The beginning of vodka can be traced back to Russia in the 14th century. At this time, vodka was made via the distillation of grapes and was considered a “spirit wine.” In 1430, a man named Isidore the Monk created the first Russian vodka recipe. It was a bread wine with low alcohol content.
At the same time, people in Poland were developing their own vodka recipes. Vodka was commonly used as medicine in these times, but in the early 1500s, Polish writers discovered that vodka could be used for other purposes, and they believed it increased fertility. As time went on, the Polish began to drink vodka socially and not just as medicine.
Vodka production began in Sweden around the 15th century, but it began to take off much later, around the 18th century. Potatoes became the main product used in Swedish vodka distillation, and the distillery equipment began to improve around this time as well. Today, some of the most well-known vodka brands come from Sweden, such as Absolut.
Today, vodka is produced and enjoyed all around the world. Various flavored vodkas can be made by infusing fruit during the distillation process or adding sugar syrups after the vodka is distilled. Vodka comes in a huge variety of different sizes, the most popular being a fifth.
As we mentioned, the most common-sized bottle of vodka you’ll usually find is a fifth. A fifth of vodka is 750 mL, which is equal to 25.3 ounces. There are approximately 17 standard 1.5 oz shots in a fifth of vodka.
You’ll probably notice a few other bottle sizes next to the fifth as well. There are nips, which most liquor stores sell, usually the smallest bottle size available. A nip contains 50 mL of vodka or 1.7 ounces. A nip is basically equal to one shot. The next size up from a nip is usually a pint. A pint is 473 mL or 16 ounces. The pint is just a bit smaller than the fifth and contains about 10.5 shots.
If you’re looking for something slightly larger than a fifth, the next size up you’ll usually see is a liter. A liter has 1000 mL or 33.82 oz. A liter has about 22 1.5 oz shots. After the liter, you have a handle. A handle has 1750 mL or 59.18 oz. A handle serves about 39 standard-size shots and is the size of a liter and a fifth combined.
How many calories are in a fifth of vodka?
The amount of calories in a given type of vodka depends on the proof of the vodka, not the size of the bottle. The proof is the number on the bottle that refers to the percentage of alcohol a given liquor contains. To find this percentage, all you have to do is divide the proof by half. For instance, a 100 proof liquor is 50% ABV, or alcohol by volume. An 80 proof liquor is 40% ABV.
The higher the proof, the higher the calories when it comes to vodka. While pure vodka doesn’t inherently contain any sugar or carbs, your body still processes the calories from vodka, so it’s important to know if you’re watching your weight.
For a 1.5 oz shot, there are:
- 85 calories in 70 proof vodka
- 96 calories in 80 proof vodka
- 110 calories in 90 proof vodka
- 124 calories in 100 proof vodka
To find the calories in a full fifth of vodka, all you have to do is multiply by the number of shots it contains (aka 17). So in a bottle of 70 proof vodka, there are approximately 1,445 calories. In a bottle of 80 proof, there are about 1,632 calories. There are 1,870 calories in a fifth of 90 proof vodka and 2,108 calories in 100 proof. Obviously, it’s never recommended to finish a fifth by yourself in one sitting, but it’s good information to have in your back pocket.
Should I buy a fifth of vodka?
A fifth of vodka is standard size. It’s what you’ll see at most liquor stores, and it’s usually relatively affordable. A fifth is great to keep around the house to make cocktails with. There are 17 standard 1.5 oz shots in a fifth, so it stands to reason that you could make 17 single drinks with a fifth, or 8.5 doubles.
Vodka is a very stable alcohol that will keep almost indefinitely without going bad. So, if you have guests often or make many vodka drinks, you may want to invest in something larger, like a handle or a liter. But, if you’re not a big drinker or you’re trying a new brand for the first time, a fifth is a perfect size to start with.
What is a Fifth of Liquor? | Understanding Alcohol Bottle Sizes
How much does a fifth of alcohol cost?
The term “fifth” comes from the fact that it is one-fifth of a gallon. The average price for a fifth of alcohol varies depending on the type of liquor, the brand, and the location where it is purchased. However, as a general rule of thumb, you can expect to pay between $12 and $30 for a fifth of alcohol.
How many ounces is a 5th of alcohol?
A standard bottle of liquor is 750 ml, or approximately 25.4 fluid ounces. However, because the amount in a fifth of alcohol is much higher, a fifth of liquor can be quite expensive. A pint typically contains eight shots. A fifth of alcohol is the same amount of liquid as one bottle of wine, so a fifth of scotch is about four ounces.
How much is a fifth of vodka?
If you need to know how much is a fifth of vodka, then you can get the information on this page. A fifth of vodka refers to a standard bottle size commonly used in the United States, which contains approximately 750 milliliters or about 25.4 fluid ounces of vodka.
What is a 5th of alcohol?
As a result, a “fifth” of alcohol typically refers to a bottle containing 25.6 fluid ounces of liquid. It’s a common size for various types of spirits, such as whiskey, vodka, rum, tequila, and other liquors.