If you drink whisky regularly, you really can’t avoid hearing someone use the word dram. With good friends in the pub, at a whisky show or when touring a distillery the volume always seems to differ making a dram seem to be a rather imprecise unit of measurement. So it’s high time to get to the bottom of the measure of dram.
Our first research impulse lead us to the Anglo-American system of measurement, which is still used today in parts of the former British Empire. From 1973 onwards, it was actually planned to slowly but surely switch to the metric system common in the rest of Europe. However, the old units of measurement (yard, mile, ounce, pound, pint etc.) continue to be so popular among the population that the changeover (especially against the background of Brexit) may never be completed.
The unit of measure, dram, exists both as a measure of weight and as a fluid dram. Liquid, that sounds good to us friends of good whisky. According to the definition, a dram in the old English system of measurement corresponds exactly to 0.003551633032809 l, which corresponds to approximately 3.55 ml rounded. This amount however is about enough to moisten the bottom of a glencairn glass. So there must be another definition.
Bar Measurements in British pubs
A dram is not an actual unit of measurement, but colloquially a small amount of whisky. A few decades ago (until a reform in 1963) it was common in Great Britain to pour 1/4, 1/5 or 1/6 of a gill (1 gill = 142 ml) , 35.5 ml , 28.4 ml and 23.7 ml respectively. So a dram was a smaller or larger schnapps.
The system was simplified in 1987, and the spirits poured in English bars have since been measured at 25 ml or 50 ml (double), in Scotland the 35 ml measurement, doubled at 70ml was the norm. However this is shifting inline with England.
A dram is a name rather than a measure in general. Even if a standard measure is defined exactly in the catering trade, the size of a dram can vary from tasting to tasting. On distillery tours you can be extremely lucky or unlucky with the size of the drams served, depending on who does the pouring. In a private setting, however, a dram will not be poured out with the greatest scientific accuracy, and oft as not get larger the more are poured.
The simple explanation is more poetic than exact in definition: ‘A dram is a lot of whisky, which is determined by the generosity and mood of the person who is pouring it out.’
FAQs
What is the origin of the word dram?
The word dram was likely derived from the greek drakhme meaning coins, but more likely originated in the latin dragme or dragma.
What is a wee dram?
Literally this means a single serving of whisky, though these are often liberally poured. This delightful term emanates from Scotland and is a variation on a 'wee drink'.
Is a dram the same as a shot?
No a shot is a standard unit of measurement while dram (in relation to alcohol) has never been an officially served quantity. Although the terms shot and dram are often used interchangeably to refer to a small serving of whisky, typically served neat (without ice).
What is a dram of whisky?
A dram is a small unit of measurement used in the United States and other countries to measure the volume of a liquid. In the context of whisky, a dram can refer to a small amount of the spirit, typically poured as a sample or served as a drink. The size of a dram can vary depending on the context and the person pouring it, but it is generally considered to be a small amount.
What is a whisky flight?
A whisky flight is a collection of several different whiskies that are served together, typically in small dram glasses or tasters. A whisky flight is often used to allow someone to sample a range of different whiskies, such as those from different distilleries or of different ages or styles. Some whisky bars and restaurants may offer whisky flights as part of their menu, allowing customers to try out a variety of whiskies without having to commit to a full pour of any one of them.
Liquid, that sounds good to us friends of good whisky. According to the definition, a dram
dram
The dram (alternative British spelling drachm; apothecary symbol ʒ or ℨ; abbreviated dr) is a unit of mass in the avoirdupois system, and both a unit of mass and a unit of volume in the apothecaries' system. It was originally both a coin and a weight in ancient Greece.
in the old English system of measurement corresponds exactly to 0.003551633032809 l, which corresponds to approximately 3.55 ml rounded. This amount however is about enough to moisten the bottom of a glencairn glass.
In Ireland, a standard dram remained at 35.5 ml (the same as a quarter gill) however, in the UK, publicans can choose whether to serve a dram of either 25 ml or 35 ml. Some people to say 25 ml should be a 'dram' and 35 ml should be a 'large dram'.
The measurement of a dram can vary by country, typically ranging from 25ml to 35ml.This contrasts with a standard shot, usually about 45ml. Understanding these differences enhances your appreciation of Jameson Irish Whiskey, whether you're savouring it neat as a dram or mixing it into a whiskey co*cktail.
In either case, it's a small amount. Dram came from French through Latin and ultimately from the Greek word drachmē, meaning “handful.” As a unit of weight, a dram is 1/16 of an ounce (and an ounce is 1/16 of a pound). As a liquid measure, a dram is 1/8 of an ounce.
The fluid dram (or fluid drachm in British spelling) is defined as 1⁄8 of a fluid ounce, and is exactly equal to: 3.6966911953125 ml in the U.S. customary system.
dram \DRAM\ noun. 1 a : a unit of avoirdupois weight equal to 1/16 ounce. b : a unit of apothecaries' weight equal to 1/8 ounce. c : a unit of liquid capacity equal to 1/8 fluid ounce. 2 a : a small portion of something to drink.
A fluid dram equals one-eighth of a fluid ounce (the equivalent to two average-size thimbles), so there would be 128 drams per pint and 1,024 drams per gallon. So, there are 32 drams in a gill.
Maintaining healthy levels can help prevent heart disease and stroke. Whiskey can temporarily widen your blood vessels. In small amounts, this can help clear mucus congestion in your sinuses and chest, which lets your body better deal with sickness and infection.
Gin, rum, vodka and whisky. Either 25ml and multiples of 25ml, or 35ml and multiples of 35ml (not both on the same premises) Draught beer and cider. Third, half, two-thirds of a pint and multiples of half a pint.
A standard whiskey pour is 1.5 ounces for a shot, 2 ounces for a neat or rocks pour, and 3 ounces for a double. In this case, you're drinking it straight or neat.
While there is no federally-mandated shot-glass size, many U.S. bartenders consider a standard volume to be 1.5 ounces, or 44 milliliters. (For what it's worth, Utah is the only state that has officially defined a shot measurement—and it's 1.5 ounces.)
If you've ever given any thought to the oddities of bar terminology (a pastime mostly enjoyed after a few rounds at said bar), you may have wondered about the curious word we use for a small pour of liquor, the mysterious “shot.” Once commonly called a “jigger” of whiskey, the more common term “shot” is likely so ...
It refers to one-eight of a fluid ounce, less than a teaspoon. Hardly enough whisky to get the sides of your glass wet. If you're having even a modest whisky, you'd have 10 drams, and a co*cktail might have as many as 16 drams.
The term “dram equivalent” is a holdover from the days when shotshells were loaded with blackpowder. Blackpowder is (or at least was) measured in “drams.” This is a weight measure, where 16 drams equal one ounce. At that measurement, 256 drams of blackpowder weigh one pound.
A fluid dram equals one-eighth of a fluid ounce (the equivalent to two average-size thimbles), so there would be 128 drams per pint and 1,024 drams per gallon. So, there are 32 drams in a gill.
The avoirdupois dram contains 27.344 grains (1.772 grams) and is equal to one-sixteenth avoirdupois ounce of 437 1/2 grains. The term also refers to the fluid dram, a measure of capacity equal to one-eighth fluid ounce.
They are excellent for storing dry materials, powders, and more. Dram, is a unit of measurement previously used in Ancient Greece and is now used as a unit of volume (8 drams = 1 ounce). Our vials are available in 14 sizes The smallest is 4 ml (0.13 oz.)and the largest is 185 ml (6.25 oz.).
Introduction: My name is Margart Wisoky, I am a gorgeous, shiny, successful, beautiful, adventurous, excited, pleasant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
