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Alcoholic Beverage, Distilled, All (Gin, Rum, Vodka, Whiskey) 86 Proof
86-proof distilled spirits (gin, rum, vodka, whiskey) are clear or amber liquids with a density of 0.940 g/ml, lighter than water because ethanol (0.789 g/ml) comprises 43% of the volume. One US cup weighs approximately 222 g and one tablespoon about 13.9 g. These spirits are used in flambe dishes, vanilla extract production, boozy desserts like rum cake and bourbon balls, pie crust (where vodka provides moisture without developing gluten), and cocktail-based reductions. Weighing spirits rather than measuring by volume ensures consistent alcohol content in recipes where evaporation during cooking affects the final flavor.
What is Alcoholic Beverage, Distilled, All (Gin, Rum, Vodka, Whiskey) 86 Proof?
86-proof distilled spirits (gin, rum, vodka, whiskey) are clear or amber liquids with a density of 0.940 g/ml, lighter than water because ethanol (0.789 g/ml) comprises 43% of the volume. One US cup weighs approximately 222 g and one tablespoon about 13.9 g. These spirits are used in flambe dishes, vanilla extract production, boozy desserts like rum cake and bourbon balls, pie crust (where vodka provides moisture without developing gluten), and cocktail-based reductions. Weighing spirits rather than measuring by volume ensures consistent alcohol content in recipes where evaporation during cooking.
Liquids are not interchangeable with water in weight terms. Density changes with fat, sugar, and dissolved solids, so the same cup can convert above or below water-based assumptions. Use these density-based gram values when scaling sauces, drinks, and dressings.
Chef note:Chefs scale sauces by weight because density shifts quietly change flavor balance.
Quick convert
- US cup = 236.588 mL
- 1 tbsp = 14.787 mL
- 1 tsp = 4.929 mL
Kitchen Conversion Chart
Cups, tbsp, tsp, mL and oz — all in one printable reference for oils, liquids, dairy and sauces.
Beverages
Sugary drinks and juices are significantly denser than plain water due to dissolved solids. Converting 'cups' to grams is the best way to accurately track sugar intake or mix precise cocktails and punches.
FAQ
- Why are 86-proof spirits lighter than water per cup?
- At 0.940 g/ml, 86-proof spirits are 6% lighter than water because ethanol (density 0.789 g/ml) makes up 43% of the volume. The remaining 57% is water. The blended density falls between pure ethanol and pure water proportionally. A cup of 86-proof spirits weighs about 222 g, roughly 15 g less than a cup of water.
- Does the type of spirit (gin, rum, vodka, whiskey) affect the density at 86 proof?
- Negligibly. At the same proof (43% alcohol by volume), all distilled spirits have effectively the same density of 0.940 g/ml. Whiskey's color and flavor come from wood extractives at concentrations too low (typically under 1 g per liter) to measurably change density. Sugar-added spirits like some rums may be slightly denser.
- How much does alcohol evaporate when cooking with 86-proof spirits?
- Alcohol evaporation depends on cooking time and method, not density. After flambe, about 75% of alcohol remains. After 15 minutes of simmering, about 40% remains. After 2 hours, about 5% remains. The starting weight per tablespoon (13.9 g at 0.940 g/ml) decreases as alcohol evaporates, leaving behind water and dissolved flavor compounds.