Dilution Reference

Diluting 70% ABV to 57.5% ABV

How much water to add to bring 70% spirit down to 57.5% ABV — with worked examples and the formula.

Water to Add: 70% → 57.5% ABV

Standard volume method. Verify the final strength with a hydrometer before bottling.

Per 1 Litre
217mL water
Per 750 mL bottle
163mL water
Per 1 US gallon
823mL water
Final volume / litre
1217mL
water to add = volume × (current ABV − target ABV) ÷ target ABV
= 1000 × (70 − 57.5) ÷ 57.5 = 217 mL per litre
Open the interactive ABV Dilution Calculator →

About this dilution

70% reflects strong hearts collected from a reflux or column still, while 57.5% is navy strength, the traditional gunpowder-proof benchmark. Bringing 70% down to 57.5% means adding roughly 217 mL of water for every litre of spirit, increasing the batch to about 1217 mL.

For casual reduction the standard volume method above is accurate enough. When bottling at an exact legal strength, switch to OIML Precise mode in the calculator, which corrects for the slight volume contraction that occurs when ethanol and water mix.

Verify before bottling: a calibrated alcoholmeter is the only way to confirm you have hit 57.5% ABV. Measure at 20°C.

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Common questions

How much water do I add to dilute 70% ABV to 57.5%?

Add roughly 217 mL of water to each litre of 70% spirit to reach 57.5% ABV. The formula is water to add = volume times (current ABV minus target ABV) divided by target ABV.

Why should I verify the result with a hydrometer?

Ethanol and water contract slightly when mixed, so the real strength can sit just under the calculated figure. Always confirm with a calibrated alcoholmeter at 20°C before bottling.
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