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How Much Champagne to Get Drunk: Full Guide (2024)

How Much Champagne to Get Drunk 

Last Updated on March 2, 2024 by Lydia Martin

No party is complete without a bottle of champagne popping here and there.

But before the celebration starts, make sure you’re aware of how much champagne to get drunk if you don’t want to experience hangover symptoms the next day.  

If you don’t want to get drunk faster and miss beautiful moments, read on and learn how many shots you can take to avoid getting intoxicated. 

How Much Champagne Can Get Drunk?

pouring bottle of champagne on a glass

On a standard note, one four-ounce glass of champagne can make you reach the blood alcohol content of 0.08%, which is considered in the US as “legally drunk.”

If you want to get intoxicated, drinking champagne must be done between the one- to two-hour period.

That’s when your liver starts to process the alcohol within your bloodstream.

Other factors to consider are weight, gender, alcohol tolerance, and if you’re drinking on an empty stomach.  

Can A Glass Of Champagne Get You Drunk?

A glass of champagne can’t get you drunk easily. A typical bottle of champagne usually has an alcohol content of 22- to 26- proof (or 11% 13% ABV).

“Champagne is one of the elegant extras in life.”

– Charles Dickens, Writer/Social Critic

This means one shot (or 1.5 fluid ounces) of champagne won’t get you drunk.

How Many Glasses Of Champagne Will Get You Drunk?

group of people drinking champagne

Technically, for someone under 113 kg (250 lbs), it would be two rounds of champagne.

However, if you’re between 45 to 54 kg (100 to 200 lbs), you can feel drunk after one and a half glasses.   

How many glasses of champagne will get you drunk depends on some factors, but generally, it can take two servings of champagne to get an individual drunk. 

But this doesn’t apply to every drinker, especially people with high alcohol tolerance.   

One serving of champagne has an alcohol content of around 12.2% ABV, close to red wine (about 12.5% ABV) and sparkling white wine (about 11.5% ABV).  

Moreover, one serving is equal to 1.4 standard drinks, around 150ml, and 750ml (23.36 fluid ounces) is roughly 7.1 standard drinks.     

How Long Does It Take For Champagne To Kick In?

On average, it will take around 5 to 15 minutes for champagne to kick in. 

Generally, alcohol travels immediately in the bloodstream as soon as it enters your body.

Then, the liver functions to break down the alcohol, forming an enzyme referred to as “alcohol dehydrogenase.” 

This enzyme will turn into acetaldehyde, which will break down into acetic acid – the one responsible for giving the hangover. 

If you consume more alcohol than your liver can process, that’s when champagne starts to kick in, as well as other alcoholic beverages. 

Why Does It Make You Get Drunk Easily?

woman drinking champagne

Champagne can make you drunk quickly because of the bubbles present in the spirit.

While champagne and sparkling wine have lower alcohol content, their fizz plays a role in making you drunk.

Most American sparkling wines and champagne are crafted with “methode champenoise,” a strict rule in the production process developed in France.

It creates bubbles while the spirits are under secondary fermentation.   

Bubbles help champagne to be absorbed by the bloodstream quicker than other drinks, making your alcohol concentration high and making you feel sleepy and drunk.  

Does It Go Straight To Your Head?

According to studies, champagne goes straight to the head as carbon dioxide helps speed up alcohol travels to your intestines. 

How much food you eat before drinking can affect this process. But if you consume it without eating first, expect the alcohol to travel faster straight to your head.

What Does “Champagne Drunk” Feel Like?

Champagne, especially the sweetest champagne, can make you feel happier when drunk due to its brut nature, compared to other spirits that turn into depressants.  

Champagne boosts your brain’s happy molecule, making you feel happier and more positive.

After one to two glasses, you’ll be less aggressive, and you’ll be more sociable.

Fun Fact: Champagne has high phenolic levels, derived from the Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir, where the spirit is made – contributing to its positive effects on the brain [1].

Will It Give You A Hangover?

Yes, champagne can give you a hangover [2].

Consuming too much champagne or sparkling wines can get you drunk hard, leading to a hangover the next day. 

But you can use hangover remedies to feel better, like drinking water, a cup of hot ginger tea, and taking effervescent tablets. Check out our recommended non-alcoholic sparkling wines here

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does champagne get you drunker than wine?

Yes, champagne can get you drunker than regular wine. Since champagne is more bubbly than wine, it helps alcohol to enter your bloodstream more quickly.  

Is champagne a feminine drink?

Champagne is believed to be a feminine beverage due to its bubbly and light appearance. But it doesn’t mean it’s really a girly beverage. It’s for everyone. 

Is champagne stronger than beer?

Champagne can be stronger than beer because drinking a 4oz glass of champagne is the same as drinking one beer or a liquor shot.  

Can champagne get you drunk fast?

While champagne has a reputation for being bubbly and light, it still contains alcohol, so consuming it quickly in large quantities can lead to intoxication. The rate at which someone becomes drunk depends on various factors, including body weight, tolerance, and how much they’ve eaten, rather than solely on the type of alcohol consumed.

How much champagne does it take to get a buzz?

The amount of champagne needed to feel a buzz varies from person to person, as it depends on individual factors such as tolerance, metabolism, and alcohol sensitivity. Generally, one glass of champagne (about 5 ounces) contains approximately the same amount of alcohol as one standard serving of wine or beer, so consuming a few glasses over a short period can lead to feeling a buzz for some individuals.

Is 4 glasses of champagne a lot?

Four glasses of champagne may be considered a significant amount for some people, especially if consumed within a short period. It’s essential to drink responsibly and be mindful of alcohol consumption, as exceeding recommended limits can lead to intoxication and impaired judgment. Moderation and pacing oneself are key to enjoying champagne responsibly.

Is champagne the strongest alcohol?

Champagne typically has an alcohol content ranging from 11% to 12.5% by volume, which is similar to many wines. While there are stronger alcoholic beverages available, such as spirits like vodka or whiskey, the perception of strength often depends on the context of consumption and individual tolerance levels.

How fast does champagne kick in?

The onset of alcohol effects, including those from champagne, varies depending on factors such as individual metabolism, tolerance, and whether the champagne is consumed on an empty stomach. Generally, alcohol begins to enter the bloodstream within minutes of consumption, but the full effects may take 30 minutes to an hour to be felt, depending on the rate of consumption and individual factors. It’s essential to drink responsibly and be mindful of how quickly alcohol can affect the body.

What gets you drunk the fastest?

Hard liquors with high alcohol content, such as spirits like vodka or whiskey, can lead to quicker intoxication due to their concentrated alcohol levels. However, the rate at which one gets drunk depends on various factors, including body weight, tolerance, and the speed of consumption.

Can 3 glasses of champagne get you drunk?

The impact of 3 glasses of champagne on intoxication varies among individuals based on factors like body weight, tolerance, and metabolism. While champagne typically has a lower alcohol content compared to hard liquors, consuming three glasses in a short period may lead to intoxication for some individuals.

Is champagne a hard alcohol?

No, champagne is not a hard liquor. It is a sparkling wine that undergoes a secondary fermentation process to create bubbles. Champagne usually has an alcohol content of around 11-12.5%, similar to many wines, and is considered a light to moderate alcoholic beverage.

Is champagne stronger than beer?

In terms of alcohol content, champagne is generally stronger than beer. Champagne typically contains around 11-12.5% alcohol by volume, while the alcohol content in beer typically ranges from 4-6%. However, the perception of strength can also be influenced by factors such as the volume consumed and individual tolerance.

Does champagne make you sleepy?

Alcohol, including that found in champagne, is a depressant that can induce drowsiness. While the initial effects of champagne may be stimulating due to its carbonation and alcohol content, excessive consumption can lead to fatigue and sleepiness as the body processes the alcohol. It’s crucial to drink in moderation and be mindful of individual reactions to alcohol.

Can kids drink champagne?

No, it is not appropriate or legal for children to drink champagne or any alcoholic beverages. The legal drinking age varies by country, but generally, it is restricted to adults. The consumption of alcohol can have adverse effects on a developing child’s body and brain, and it is essential to prioritize their well-being by adhering to legal regulations and promoting responsible drinking habits.

Why is champagne so expensive?

Champagne’s cost is influenced by various factors contributing to its production and perceived luxury. The traditional method of making champagne, known as the méthode champenoise, involves a labor-intensive process of fermentation, aging, and bottling, often requiring several years. Additionally, the limited grape-growing region in Champagne, France, coupled with strict production standards, scarcity of certain grape varieties, and the exclusivity associated with the Champagne appellation, contribute to the higher production costs and, consequently, the elevated price of genuine champagne.

Is real champagne expensive?

Authentic champagne, produced exclusively in the Champagne region of France, tends to be relatively expensive compared to sparkling wines from other regions. The term “champagne” is legally protected, and only wines produced in the designated Champagne area can bear the name. The combination of limited production, high-quality standards, and the exclusivity of the Champagne appellation contributes to the overall cost of genuine champagne.

Does champagne make you sleepy?

Yes, like other alcoholic beverages, champagne can induce drowsiness. Alcohol is a depressant that affects the central nervous system, leading to relaxation and, eventually, sleepiness. While the initial effects of champagne might be stimulating due to its carbonation, moderate to excessive consumption can result in fatigue and drowsiness. It’s crucial to be aware of individual tolerance levels, drink in moderation, and avoid alcohol consumption before activities that require alertness, such as driving or operating machinery.

So, How Much Champagne To Get Drunk?

Two to four standard servings of champagne (even sparkling wine) can get you drunk.

But it still depends on some factors– weight, gender, alcohol consumption, and tolerance, which also applies when consuming other alcoholic beverages.  

References:

  1. https://www.reading.ac.uk/news-archive/press-releases/pr503596.html 
  2. https://www.stylist.co.uk/food-drink/how-avoid-hangover-headache-vodka-wine-gin-spirits-champagne-congeners/42420#
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