Updated April 2026.
Neat means whiskey poured into a glass at room temperature with no ice, water, or mixer. It is a serve, not a TTB class. A typical US pour is 1.5 ounces. At 40% that is one NIAAA drink. At 50% it is 1.25 drinks. The type on the neck — bourbon, rye, Scotch — does not change because you skip the ice.
Related: how many mL is a shot, good bourbon, whiskey drinks.
Serve vs pour
| Language | Drinks |
|---|---|
| Neat | From labeled ABV |
| 1.5 oz at 40% | 1.00 |
| 1.5 oz at 50% / 100 proof | 1.25 |
| On the rocks | Same count |
A 750 mL 40% bottle is about 17 drinks. Four neat pours are four drinks. Pour math: whiskey drinks.
Sources
- NIAAA December 2025: 1.5 fl oz 40% spirits = one drink. 27 CFR 5.143 types. 27 CFR 5.88 bottled-in-bond.
- Neat is bartender English, not a legal type.
- NIAAA standard drink