Alcoholic Beverage, Distilled, All (Gin, Rum, Vodka, Whiskey) 86 Proof: How Many Grams in a Teaspoon?
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.
Quick convert
- US cup = 236.588 mL
- 1 tbsp = 14.787 mL
- 1 tsp = 4.929 mL
Reference table
| tsp | g |
|---|---|
| 1 | 5 |
| 2 | 9 |
| 3 | 14 |
| 4 | 19 |
| 5 | 23 |
| 6 | 28 |
| 7 | 32 |
| 8 | 37 |
| 9 | 42 |
| 10 | 46 |
| 11 | 51 |
| 12 | 56 |
| 13 | 60 |
| 14 | 65 |
| 15 | 69 |
| 20 | 93 |
| 25 | 116 |
| 30 | 139 |
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.
Other conversions for Alcoholic Beverage, Distilled, All (Gin, Rum, Vodka, Whiskey) 86 Proof
- Cups to grams — Alcoholic Beverage, Distilled, All (Gin, Rum, Vodka, Whiskey) 86 Proof
- Grams to cups — Alcoholic Beverage, Distilled, All (Gin, Rum, Vodka, Whiskey) 86 Proof
- Tablespoons to grams — Alcoholic Beverage, Distilled, All (Gin, Rum, Vodka, Whiskey) 86 Proof
- mL to grams — Alcoholic Beverage, Distilled, All (Gin, Rum, Vodka, Whiskey) 86 Proof
- Ounces to grams — Alcoholic Beverage, Distilled, All (Gin, Rum, Vodka, Whiskey) 86 Proof
Quick conversions for Alcoholic Beverage, Distilled, All (Gin, Rum, Vodka, Whiskey) 86 Proof
- 1 cup of Alcoholic Beverage, Distilled, All (Gin, Rum, Vodka, Whiskey) 86 Proof in grams
- 100 g of Alcoholic Beverage, Distilled, All (Gin, Rum, Vodka, Whiskey) 86 Proof in cups
- 1 tablespoon of Alcoholic Beverage, Distilled, All (Gin, Rum, Vodka, Whiskey) 86 Proof in grams
- 100 mL of Alcoholic Beverage, Distilled, All (Gin, Rum, Vodka, Whiskey) 86 Proof in grams