What measurement is equivalent to one shot?

One thing about the world is that different places have different terms for measurements. There are even different terms for measurements in the world of alcohol.

A few common terms you are likely to hear thrown around in an alcohol-focused conversation or environment are tot, shot, bottle, and glass.

With so many different terms it can be confusing to understand what quantity of alcohol you are actually drinking.

One common question asked is how many shot glasses in a cup? The quick answer is that there are eight shot glasses in a cup. Continue reading to find out more!

How Much Liquid Is in a Cup?

One cup of liquid, according to the United States Standard Volume, is equivalent to eight fluid ounces.

How Much Liquid Is in a Shot Glass?

In a shot glass, the accepted amount of liquor served is 1.5 fluid ounces. However, this is according to a standard-size shot glass. Shot glasses may come in different sizes which will result in their capacity is different.

Typically, you can expect to be served a shot that contains 1 fluid ounce.

How Many Shot Glasses Are in a Cup?

You will need eight shot glasses to fill the capacity of a cup. This is because there are between 1 fluid ounce and 1.5 fluid ounces in a shot glass, depending on the size of the shot glass, and 8 fluid ounces in a standard volume cup.

Is a Shot One Drink?

It is generally understood that one shot of alcohol is the same as one drink. This is due to the alcohol concentration in a shot compared to other types of drinks.

What measurement is equivalent to one shot?

How Many Shots Glasses Are in a ¼ Cup?

There are approximately two fluid ounces in a quarter cup. On average there is about one fluid ounce in a shot glass. Therefore, there are two shot glasses in a quarter cup.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Measure a Shot Without a Shot Glass?

You can measure a shot without using a shot glass by using a tablespoon. One tablespoon is approximately half a fluid ounce. Therefore, two tablespoons are the equivalent of one shot.

How Much Does a Shot Cost?

The price of a shot will vary depending on the alcohol that is used for the shot. You can generally expect to pay about $1.88 for a single shot and about $2.50 for a double shot.

What is a Jigger?

A jigger is a bar tool that is used to measure and pour alcohol. Standard jiggers are made up of two conjoined cups.

One of the two cups on the jigger is bigger than the other.  The cups of the jigger are of different sizes to measure different quantities.

Is a Jigger Equal to a Shot?

The larger cup of a jigger has a capacity of 1.5 fluid ounces, which is the standard amount for a shot. The smaller cup of a jigger has a capacity of one fluid ounce.

As shot glasses are available in different sizes, the smaller cup of the jigger can also be considered equal to a shot.

Why is a Drink Called a Shot?

The word ‘shot’ has been used to describe a small amount of alcohol or “small drink of spirits” since the 17th century. There a several stories surrounding the origin of the term, one of which was inspired by the Old West.

This story describes cowboys paying for their drinks with bullets, which is why they became known as shots.

What measurement is equivalent to one shot?

How Many Shot Glasses In A Cup – Conclusion

It can be tough to understand the different terms related to alcohol and drinking. It can also be a challenge to calculate how much you are drinking in your head.

Hopefully knowing the actual quantity of different glass sizes will help you keep track of what you have consumed.

The shot glass is a foundational and essential piece of glassware in any successful bar. Whether you’re serving a round of shots during happy hour or using shots as measurements for mixed drinks, shot glasses are a staple of the bar scene. But, are all shot glasses the same size? Before you open a bar, it's important to understand shot glasses sizes and precise drink measurements to properly price your drinks and keep your patrons safe.

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What Is a Shot Glass?

What measurement is equivalent to one shot?

Shot glasses are petit bar glasses used to measure and serve small portions of liquor. They come in various sizes, usually ranging from less than an ounce to over 3 ounces. Shot glasses are most often used for drinking straight liquor (or “taking a shot”) but can also be used for measuring espresso for coffee drinks or serving personal dessert portions. A shot glass usually features a thick bottom to help prevent it from breaking when customers slam them on the bar after taking shots. Many people collect customized shot glasses from their favorite bars and tourist destinations as souvenirs.

The number of ounces in a shot glass depends on the size of the glass. Most shot glasses hold around 1.25 oz. to 1.5 oz., but there is no official standard size for a shot. Some shot glasses can be less than an ounce and others can be over 3 ounces, with the most common size being 1.5 oz.

Utah is the only state that has a strict definition of a shot, teaching bartenders to pour them consistently at 1.5 oz. You may also find different shot size definitions depending on which country you visit. In Australia, the average shot ranges from 1 to 2 oz., while a shot is usually .5 to 1.5 oz. in Germany.

So, is a shot glass one ounce? The answer is sometimes but not always. Be sure to check the fluid ounces of your shot glass before using it as a measuring system to serve your customers.

How Many Oz in a Double Shot

A double shot usually contains 3 to 4 ounces of liquor. Since there is no standard size for a shot glass, there is also no standard measurement for a double shot. More American bars would consider a shot to be 1.5 oz., making a double shot 3 oz.

How Many Tablespoons in a Shot

If you’re operating under the “1.5 oz. equals a shot” measurement for your bar, then a shot would equal 3 tablespoons. This would in turn make a shot 9 teaspoons, but shot glasses vary in size so be sure to check their measurements before using them to serve customers.

How Many ML in a Shot Glass

A 1.5 oz. shot would be equivalent to 44 ml. Since shot glass sizes vary, you can find glasses that hold anywhere from 28 ml to around 90 ml depending on whether it's a single shot, double shot, or shooter.

Shot Measurements

  • Single Shot: 1.5 oz = 3 Tbsp. = 9 tsp. = 44 ml
  • Double Shot: 3 oz = 6 Tbsp. = 18 tsp = 88 ml

How to Measure a Shot without a Shot Glass

If you are looking to measure a shot of liquor but find yourself without a shot glass, try using the following as a shot glass substitute:

  • Jigger - A jigger is often used in bars to measure 1 to 2 oz. of liquor or syrup for mixed drinks.
  • Spoon - You can use a simple spoon from your flatware drawer to measure out the shot serving. Most flatware spoons hold approximately .5 oz., so a shot would be around three spoonfuls.
  • Measuring spoon - If you have measuring spoons handy, you can pour a shot using a tablespoon 3 times or a teaspoon 9 times.

Importance of Precise Shot Measurements

What measurement is equivalent to one shot?

The inconsistent measurement of a shot isn’t just about snubbing customers. You’ll want to make sure your shots are precisely measured for various reasons:

  • The alcohol volume in a drink can negatively impact the overall flavor of a cocktail.
  • Overpouring a shot increases the ABV of a drink and can cause customers to become more intoxicated than anticipated.
  • Inconsistent shot measurements make it difficult to keep track of your supply and can negatively impact your profit based on your drink prices.

Shot Glass Sizes

The size of a shot glass can depend on where it was made and what type of shot glass it is. Some shot glasses will have thicker bottoms to make them look more full, earning them the title of “cheat glasses”. Others, known as shooters, will be tall and skinny, allowing them to be used for alternative purposes beyond serving alcohol.


Difference between a Shot Glass, Jigger, and Shooter

Along with a shot glass, jiggers and shooters are often used in bars to measure and serve small portions of liquor. They are often interchangeable but do have some differences in usage and sizing that are essential for any bartender to learn.

Jigger vs Shot

While jiggers and shot glasses are both used to measure portions of liquor, a jigger is used as a measuring tool while a shot glass is mainly a drinking vessel. A bartender would generally not serve a drink in a jigger. A jigger is typically double sided, providing the bartender with two sizing options to use while crafting mixed drinks so each drink is consistent in measurement.

How Many Ounces in a Jigger?

Most double-sided jiggers measure 1.5 oz. on one side and 0.75 oz. on the other side. Some are slightly larger and measure 2 oz. on one side and 1 oz. on the other side.

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Shooter vs Shot

A shooter is a type of shot glass that can be distinguished by its general shape and size. Shooters are typically narrow and tall shot glasses. They are often used for a double shot, tasting flight, or food presentation. Shooters can also be helpful for layered shots because of the extra capacity of the glass. Caterers love using shooters for hors d'oeuvres and desserts because they are perfect for small portion sizes.

How Many Ounces in a Shooter?

A shooter can usually hold anywhere between 2 to 5 ounces.

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Where to Buy Shot Glasses?

You can purchase shot glasses from online foodservice retailers like the WebstaurantStore and local brick-and-mortar restaurant supply shops.

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Shot Glass History

The history of the shot glass is unclear, but it began being used in the United States in 1930 as the Prohibition Era was coming to an end. There are three common theories for how the shot glass got its name:

  1. From Friedrich Otto Schott, the co-founder of a German glasswork factory, who made shot glasses for American markets
  2. From Old West cowboys paying for whiskey by trading bullets
  3. From pioneers using small glasses to collect the buckshot shrapnel they found in their game meat

Shot Menu

What measurement is equivalent to one shot?

Now that you’re familiar with the capacity of shot glasses and shooters, you can craft some creative shots for your bar menu. Here are some shot menu options for you to choose from:

Tequila Shots

To be enjoyed by first licking salt off one’s hand, followed by a shot of tequila and a bite of a lemon or lime wedge.

Whiskey Shots

These are some iconic shots using various types of whiskey:

  • Snake Bite: Whiskey and lime
  • Red Snapper Shot: Crown Royal whiskey, amaretto, cranberry juice
  • Three Wise Men: Johnnie Walker scotch, Jack Daniel's Tennessee whiskey, and Jim Beam bourbon
  • Cinnamon Candy Apple: Cinnamon whiskey, sour apple schnapps, and red food coloring or cranberry juice
  • Peanut Butter and Jelly Shot: Skrewball whiskey and Chambord liqueur
  • Silver Bullet: Scotch whisky, gin, and a lemon twist

Vodka Shots

Vodka is a distilled alcohol that has a fairly mild flavor, making it perfect for mixing with other ingredients to create a unique shot menu.

  • Kamikaze: Vodka, orange liqueur, and lime juice
  • Blue Kamikaze: Vodka, blue curacao, and lime juice
  • Mad Dog: Vodka, raspberry syrup, and hot sauce
  • Freak Shot: Cucumber vodka and mint liqueur
  • Black Russian: Vodka and coffee liqueur

With precise shot measurements, you can control your supplies and budget while keeping your customers safe as they enjoy an evening in your bar.

What is 1 shot measurement?

The number of ounces in a shot glass depends on the size of the glass. Most shot glasses hold around 1.25 oz. to 1.5 oz., but there is no official standard size for a shot. Some shot glasses can be less than an ounce and others can be over 3 ounces, with the most common size being 1.5 oz.

Is 1 oz the same as 1 shot?

How many ounces are in a shot? In the U.S., a standard shot is 1.5 ounces. There are no federal laws mandating what a shot should be, although Utah has made it the legal maximum. Still, it's up to the bars to decide how many ounces are in a shot, and this can range from 1.25 ounces to 2 ounces depending on the state.

Is a shot 1 tablespoon?

Measuring Spoons So, you don't need to calculate in your mind what a tablespoon or teaspoon would probably look like. According to the shot glass conversion table, a single shot is equivalent to 3 tablespoons.

How many tablespoons is one shot of alcohol?

A standard tablespoon will hold 0.5 oz of liquid. So to get 1 oz, you will need two tablespoons. A shot of 1.5 oz requires three tablespoons and so forth.