Mezcal Alcohol Content
Mezcal is usually 40% to 42% alcohol by volume. Casamigos Mezcal Joven and Ilegal Joven are 40%, or 80 proof.2,3 Del Maguey Vida and Banhez are 42%.4,5
A 1.5 oz shot of 40% mezcal is 1.0 standard drink, the same as tequila. A 42% mezcal is 1.1 per shot.
Mezcal ABV by Brand
These strengths are printed on labels approved by the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB):
Small-batch mezcals are sometimes bottled at 45% or more, so check the label on your bottle.
How Many Standard Drinks Are in Mezcal?
One U.S. standard drink is 14 grams of pure alcohol, the amount in a 1.5 oz shot of 40% liquor.1 At 40% ABV, here is how Mezcal adds up:
| Serving | ABV | Standard drinks |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 oz shot | 40% | 1.0 |
| 2 oz pour | 40% | 1.3 |
| 375 ml bottle | 40% | 8.5 |
| 750 ml bottle | 40% | 16.9 |
| 1.75 L bottle | 40% | 39.5 |
Mezcal is often sipped slowly from a small cup. A 2 oz pour of 42% mezcal is 1.4 standard drinks.
Mezcal vs Other Drinks
| Drink | Typical ABV | Standard drinks per 1.5 oz shot |
|---|---|---|
| Mezcal (Del Maguey Vida) | 42% | 1.1 |
| Mezcal (Casamigos) | 40% | 1.0 |
| Tequila | 40% | 1.0 |
| Don Julio | 40% | 1.0 |
| Jose Cuervo | 40% | 1.0 |
To count any mix of drinks, use the standard drink calculator.
How Much Mezcal Does It Take to Get Drunk?
That depends on your weight, your sex, and how fast you drink. Enter your weight below to see how many shots of mezcal reach each level.
Actual BAC depends on metabolism, food, and time.
Try our BAC calculator for more detailed tracking
Mezcal Alcohol FAQ
What percent alcohol is mezcal?
Most mezcal is 40% to 42% ABV. Casamigos and Ilegal Joven are 40%, and Del Maguey Vida and Banhez are 42%.
Is mezcal stronger than tequila?
Often a little. Most tequila is 40%, while many mezcals are 40% to 42%.
How many shots are in a 750 ml bottle?
A 750 ml bottle holds about 17 shots of 1.5 oz. A 1.75 L bottle holds about 39.
How many shots of mezcal does it take to get drunk?
Each 1.5 oz shot is 1.0 standard drinks. How many it takes depends on your weight, your sex, and how fast you drink. The calculator on this page shows your number.
To see how Mezcal affects your blood alcohol level, use the BAC calculator.
Sources
- NIAAA. What is a standard drink?
- TTB COLA 24355001000853. Casamigos Mezcal Joven label, 40% alc./vol. (80 proof). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, public COLA registry.
- TTB COLA 25029001000303. Ilegal Mezcal Joven label, 40% alc./vol., 750 ml. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, public COLA registry.
- TTB COLA 22118001000389. Del Maguey Vida mezcal label, 42% alc. by vol., 750 ml. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, public COLA registry.
- TTB COLA 22342001000374. Banhez Espadín & Barril mezcal label, 42% alc./vol., 750 ml. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, public COLA registry.