The term “fifth” for a bottle of alcohol comes from an old measurement used for spirits, referring to a fifth of a gallon. In the United States, a gallon contains 128 fluid ounces, so a “fifth” originally referred to 1/5th of a gallon, which is 25.6 ounces. Over time, however, the exact volume of a “fifth” became standardized to 750 milliliters (mL), which is roughly 25.36 ounces.
Breakdown of the Conversion:
- Old Measurement (1/5th of a gallon):
- A gallon = 128 fluid ounces.
- 1/5th of a gallon = 128 ÷ 5 = 25.6 ounces.
- Standardized Measurement:
- The modern standard for a “fifth” of alcohol is 750 milliliters (mL).
- To convert milliliters to ounces, we use the conversion factor:
1 ounce = 29.5735 mL. - So, to convert 750 mL to ounces:
750mL÷29.5735mL/oz≈25.36oz.
This means that a fifth of alcohol is typically 25.36 ounces, which is very close to the old measurement of 25.6 ounces, but it’s more precisely 750 mL by modern standards.
Why the Term “Fifth”?
The term “fifth” dates back to the early 20th century, when bottles of alcohol were typically sold in one of several common volumes. The fifth of a gallon was simply a convenient size for the market at the time. The 750 mL size has remained the standard because it’s considered the ideal quantity for both production and retail, making it easier for distributors and consumers to handle.
Other Common Bottle Sizes in Alcohol:
- Miniature or “nips”: 50 mL (about 1.7 ounces).
- Half pint: 200 mL (about 6.8 ounces).
- Pint: 375 mL (about 12.7 ounces).
- Liter: 1,000 mL (about 33.8 ounces).
- Magnum: 1.5 liters (1,500 mL, or about 50.7 ounces).
In Summary:
- A fifth of alcohol is a 750 mL bottle, which contains approximately 25.36 ounces of liquid.