Alcohol glossary (India)

A unit containing roughly 10g of pure alcohol — about a 30ml peg of spirits. Used to measure consumption consistently.

The common Indian measure for spirits. A "small" peg is ~30ml; a "large" is ~60ml; a "patiala peg" is a generous ~120ml.

A 60ml serving of spirits — effectively two standard drinks.

Indian Made Foreign Liquor — spirits like whisky, rum, vodka, gin made in India, as distinct from country liquor.

The state-level tax on alcohol. Because alcohol is outside GST, this is the biggest reason prices vary between states.

The cost of the liquor in a drink as a percentage of its menu price. Bars typically target ~15-25% pour cost.

The market shift toward higher-priced, higher-margin premium and craft spirits.