Sake Alcohol Content
Most sake is about 15% alcohol by volume (ABV), roughly three times stronger than beer and a little stronger than most wine. A 5 oz glass of 15% sake is 1.3 standard drinks.
Sake is brewed from rice, so it is not a liquor. U.S. federal rules classify sake as a wine made from an agricultural product other than grapes.
Alcohol Content of Popular Sakes
These are the strengths printed on labels approved by the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (you can look any label up in the TTB COLA public registry):
| Sake | Style | ABV | Standard drinks per 5 oz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gekkeikan (California) | Regular sake | 14.6% | 1.2 |
| Sho Chiku Bai Classic | Junmai | 15% | 1.3 |
| Gekkeikan Nigori | Cloudy, roughly filtered | 10% | 0.8 |
| Sho Chiku Bai Junmai Nama Genshu | Undiluted (genshu) | 19% | 1.6 |
| Hakutsuru Blanc | Low-alcohol junmai | 8% | 0.7 |
Genshu means the sake was not diluted with water after pressing, so it is the strongest kind. Nigori (cloudy) sake and the newer light sakes are weaker.
How Many Standard Drinks Are in Sake?
One U.S. standard drink is 14 grams of pure alcohol. At 15% ABV, sake adds up quickly:
| Serving | ABV | Standard drinks |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 oz pour (44 ml) | 15% | 0.4 |
| 5 oz glass (148 ml) | 15% | 1.3 |
| 180 ml carafe (6 oz) | 15% | 1.5 |
| 300 ml bottle | 15% | 2.5 |
| 720 ml bottle | 15% | 6.1 |
Small sake cups make it easy to lose count. Sharing a 720 ml bottle between two people is about three standard drinks each.
Sake vs Beer, Wine, Soju, and Vodka
To count any drink, use the standard drink calculator.
How Much Sake 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 5 oz glasses of sake reach each level.
Actual BAC depends on metabolism, food, and time.
Try our BAC calculator for more detailed tracking
Sake Alcohol Content FAQ
What is the alcohol content of sake?
Most sake is about 15% ABV. Undiluted genshu sake can reach about 19%, and nigori and light sakes can be 8 to 10%.
Is sake stronger than wine?
Usually, a little. Regular sake is about 15% ABV and most wine is about 12 to 13%, so the same size glass of sake has slightly more alcohol.
Is sake stronger than beer?
Yes, about three times stronger. A 5 oz glass of 15% sake is 1.3 standard drinks, while a 12 oz 5% beer is one.
How many standard drinks are in a bottle of sake?
A 720 ml bottle of 15% sake holds about 6.1 standard drinks. A 300 ml bottle holds about 2.5.
Is sake a wine or a liquor?
It is brewed from rice, not distilled, so it is not a liquor. U.S. federal rules classify sake as a wine made from an agricultural product other than grapes.
To see how sake affects your blood alcohol level, use the BAC calculator.