The Shot and a Beer BAC Calculation: Handling Mixed Drink Totals
One standard shot (44ml, 40% ABV) and one standard beer (355ml, 5% ABV) both contain 14g of ethanol each. Together, a "shot and a beer" delivers 28g of ethanol — equivalent to 2 standard drinks. Here's how to calculate the combined BAC.
Use Alcomato to calculate your BAC from any mix of drinks accurately.
Calculate Your BAC Now →The Additive Rule: Mixed Drinks and BAC
BAC is determined entirely by the total grams of ethanol absorbed. It doesn't matter whether you had a cocktail, a beer, or a shot — only the total ethanol count matters. Simply add up all ethanol consumed and plug into the Widmark formula.
Formula: BAC = (Total ethanol g × 100) / (Weight kg × r × 1000)
Where r = 0.68 for males, 0.55 for females.
The Classic Shot + Beer Combo
| Component | Volume | ABV | Ethanol (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard shot (spirits) | 44ml (1.5oz) | 40% | 13.9g |
| Standard beer | 355ml (12oz) | 5.0% | 14.0g |
| Total | — | — | 27.9g |
Combined, a shot and a beer deliver approximately 28g of ethanol. BAC by weight for this combination:
| Weight | Male BAC | Female BAC | M hrs to 0.08% | F hrs to 0.08% | M hrs to 0.00% | F hrs to 0.00% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120 lb | 0.075% | 0.093% | 0.0h | 0.9h | 5.0h | 6.2h |
| 140 lb | 0.065% | 0.080% | 0.0h | 0.0h | 4.3h | 5.3h |
| 160 lb | 0.057% | 0.070% | 0.0h | 0.0h | 3.8h | 4.7h |
| 180 lb | 0.050% | 0.062% | 0.0h | 0.0h | 3.4h | 4.1h |
| 200 lb | 0.045% | 0.056% | 0.0h | 0.0h | 3.0h | 3.7h |
| 220 lb | 0.041% | 0.051% | 0.0h | 0.0h | 2.7h | 3.4h |
Track mixed drinks accurately with the Alcomato BAC calculator.
Calculate Your BAC Now →Common Mixed Drink Ethanol Content
| Drink | Typical pour | ABV | Ethanol (g) | Standard drinks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Margarita (restaurant) | 240ml | 15% | 28.4g | 2.0 |
| Gin & Tonic (single) | 200ml | 7.5% | 11.8g | 0.84 |
| Vodka Tonic (double) | 220ml | 10% | 17.4g | 1.24 |
| Whiskey Sour (restaurant) | 180ml | 15% | 21.3g | 1.52 |
| Rum & Coke | 250ml | 8% | 15.8g | 1.13 |
| Long Island Iced Tea | 350ml | 22% | 60.9g | 4.35 |
| Craft cocktail (bar) | 180ml | 18% | 25.5g | 1.82 |
Warning: A Long Island Iced Tea contains the ethanol equivalent of over 4 standard drinks in a single glass. This is one of the most underestimated drinks for BAC purposes.
Why Ordering Rounds Makes BAC Tracking Hard
When drinks arrive at irregular intervals over a social evening, it's easy to lose count of total ethanol consumed. Mixed cocktails especially obscure their alcohol content. The safest strategy is to keep a running ethanol tally using the Alcomato calculator, updating it each round.
- Estimate ethanol for each drink as you order it
- Add pours together — total ethanol is what matters
- Track time since first drink (metabolism offsets some intake)
- When in doubt, use the calculator before driving
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the order you drink (shot first vs beer first) matter?
Your total BAC will be the same regardless of order. However, drinking a shot on an empty stomach may cause a faster initial rise in BAC because spirits can empty the stomach faster than beer. The end result is the same.
How do I calculate BAC for a custom cocktail?
Add up the volume of each spirit: (ml × ABV%) × 0.789 = ethanol in grams. Then enter the total ethanol into the Widmark formula or use Alcomato's calculator.
Can I enter mixed drinks into the Alcomato calculator?
Yes. Use the custom drink option and enter the total ethanol grams or ABV + volume for each component. Add all drinks together and the calculator will compute your combined BAC.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. BAC estimates are approximations. Individual results vary based on body composition, food intake, health status, and other factors. Never drive if you feel impaired. When in doubt, don’t drive.