How Many Ounces In A Shot Glass? SOLVED for the Perplexed

How Many Ounces in a Shot Glass is a Simple Question with a Not-So-Simple Answer

If you’re a new bartender or just someone who likes to make drinks at home, then you’ve probably wondered how many ounces are in a shot glass.

It’s a simple question with a not-so-simple answer.

What is a Shot Glass?

A shot glass is a small glass intended to hold a measure of alcohol as a drinking vessel and is usually made with a thick glass bottom to prevent shattering.

Shot glasses can also be used to measure espresso for coffee drinks or measure liquid for cooking recipes.

The shot glass is designed with a thick bottom to prevent broken glass, typically when bar patrons slam them on the bar after a shot.

Customized Shot glasses are often a favorite of collectors to commemorate their favorite bar or tourist destination.

Shot Glass to Oz

The standard immediately recognizable shot glass is usually 2 ounces at full volume, and sizes can range anywhere from less than an ounce to over 3 ounces.

A standard shot glass holds 1.5 ounces in the United States, which is the standard amount of liquor poured into a shot glass in a bar.

However, the standard shot can vary depending on where you are in the world and what size shot glass is used.

How Many mL in a Shot?

The counterpart to measuring how many ounces are in a shot glass is the metric unit of measurement, the milliliter.

Using a simple converter will show that 1.5 oz of liquid converts to 44 mL.

Using metric measurements Shot glasses can measure from 28 mL to 90 mL.

How to Measure a Shot without a Shot Glass?

How Many Tablespoons in a Shot?

You may not always have a shot glass to use, so a tablespoon makes an easy conversion tool.

Using a standard shot of 1.5 ounces, a shot would be equivalent to 3 tablespoons or 9 teaspoons.

Let’s hope you are using this method for cooking, because after a couple of shots you may have more alcohol on the counter than in your mouth.

Shot Glass Measurements

Here we have broken down the shot glass measurements for easy reference.

• Single Shot: 1.5 ounces = 44 mL = 3 tablespoons = 9 teaspoons

Jigger vs Shot

A jigger is a standard liquid measuring tool for bartenders to measure drinks and prevent overpouring.

The dual-sided bar essential allows for consistency when pouring or crafting cocktails.

How Many Ounces in a Jigger?

The larger end of the jigger is 1.5 ounces, while the smaller end is 0.75 ounces.

So when people refer to a “jigger shot”, they are referring to a 1.5-ounce drink the same as a standard shot glass drink.

Shooter vs Shot

Shooters are distinguishable from standard shot glasses by design.  They are taller and narrower than typical shot glasses.

You may recognize this more voluminous glass from your last double or layered shot.

These glasses can also be used for food presentation of deserts or other small portioned sides.

How Many Ounces in a Shooter?

Just so we cover how many ounces in a shooter, they range from 2 to 5 ounces.

Shot Glass Sizes Around The World

The standard pour into shot glasses around the world differs greatly.  Here is a chart that will show you how much you are drinking in a shot as you travel.

Why Is Knowing How Many Ounces are in a Shot Glass Important?

Many times we take on the challenge of being the DIY bartender at home and the drinks just don’t match up to what you can get in a bar.

One reason is that we do not accurately know how many ounces our shot glass holds.

To be able to modify the recipe, it is crucial to understand how much a shot glass holds.

Knowing how much a full or half shot glass holds will help you easily modify a recipe since most mixed drinks use one of these sizes.

Until you find the taste you like, you can add or take away one ingredient at a time, equal to half of a shot glass.

The biggest and most important reason for knowing how many ounces are in a shot glass is so that you can accurately keep track of how much you drink and not overdo it.

Shot Recipes

Now that you know how many ounces are in a shot glass and why it’s important, let’s take a look at our favorite shot recipes.

Duck Fart Shots

AKA the Alaskan Duck Fart, is said to have originally been created at the Peanut Farm in Anchorage, Alaska.  Legend has it that a bartender was mixing recipes with an older woman when, after an episode of flatulence, she named it Duck Fart.

Duck Fart Ingredients:

• 15 ml / 0.5 oz Kahlua
• 15 ml / 0.5 oz Bailey’s Irish Cream
• 15 ml / 0.5 oz Whiskey (Jameson Irish whiskey or a bourbon works well)

How to Make Duck Farts

1. In a shot glass, pour the Kahlua.
2. Pour the Bailey’s into the glass over the back of a spoon very slowly. Your objective is to make a distinct layer above the Kahlua.
3. Finally, using a spoon once more, drizzle the whiskey on top. You should drink one delicious shot of whiskey and three different layers of booze.

Big Fat Elvis Shooter

The Big Fat Elvis shooter is known to pay homage to the King’s later in-life weight struggles.  This likely happened due to trading his infatuation with women to a taste for burgers, bacon, and ice cream.

This is one of the strangest yet coolest drinks you will ever taste.  You’ll know why it is the Big Fat Elvis after reading the ingredients.

Big Fat Elvis Ingredients:

• 500 ml / 16 oz of quality rye whiskey.
• 1 Tbsp of clarified bacon fat (yes, we are using bacon fat)
• 250 ml / 8 oz Amaretto
• 1 Tbsp Creamy Peanut Butter
• Maple Syrup
• Sea Salt

How to Make a Big Fat Elvis Shooter

1. Prepare Bacon Fat Washed Whiskey – Cook 3-4 strips of bacon in a frying pan until it begins to crisp.  Pour the bacon fat into a jar followed by the whiskey.  Tightly secure the lid on the jar and agitate thoroughly.  Let it sit for 12-24 hours in a cool dry area.  The longer you leave it the stronger the bacon taste.  Freeze overnight to solidify the fat.  Strain the whiskey with a cheesecloth or fine strainer.
2. Prepare the Amaretto Infused Peanut Butter – Put Amaretto and peanut butter in a container with a tight-fitting lid. Shake quickly and thoroughly, then set aside for 30 minutes until the liquid is smooth then strain it. The consistency should be similar to Bailey’s Cream Liqueur.
3. Make the Big Fat Elvis – In a shot glass, start by adding a teaspoon of maple syrup to the bottom.
   Then add ice, 30 ml of whiskey that has been washed in bacon fat, and 15 ml of amaretto that has been mixed with peanut butter. Shake vigorously before adding a layer over the maple syrup. Enjoy with a sprinkle of salt on top.

Kentucky Hot Tub

The Kentucky Hot Tub is a deliciously flavored shot with a spicy redneck punch at the end.  I can say that because my dad was half redneck.

Kentucky Hot Tub Ingredients:

• 15 ml / 0.5 ozJim Beam® bourbon whiskey
• 15 ml / 0.5 ozCointreau® orange liqueur
• 10 ml / .33 oz Blue Curacao liqueur
• 3 – 6 drops Tabasco® sauce

How to Make a Kentucky Hot Tub

This is almost the easiest drink to make on our list:

1. Pour ice and ingredients into a shaker.
2. Shake thoroughly.
3. Pour into a shot glass.

Irish Car Bomb

The easiest drink on our list to make is the Irish Car Bomb, and it is one of the most consumed shots in British bars. 

It is intended to go with a pint of Guinness, but it goes great with any stout or Indian pale ale.

Following the addition of the shot to the beer, it is best to finish your beverage quickly because the Irish Cream may curdle in the beer glass.

Irish Car Bomb Ingredients:

• ¾ full pint of Guinness or another strong beer
• 30 ml / 1 oz Irish Whiskey
• 30 ml / 1 oz Irish Cream

How to Make an Irish Car Bomb 

1. Place the Irish Whiskey and Irish Cream in a shot glass.
2. Place the entire shot glass into the beer.
3. Drink quickly!

These drinks can cost a bit to get the ingredients…another reason to use precise measurements.  Preserve your supply and control your budget while relaxing with a delicious drink.