What is a Shot Glass?

　　Shot glasses are small glasses that are designed to hold liquids in measurements of 25ml to 50ml. Shot glasses are most widely known as a drinking glass, though they can also be used as a jigger measure when making cocktails.

　　A shot glass is usually used to serve strong spirits and liqueurs in appropriate amounts, and even to serve small cocktails. Shots are traditionally drunk in a quick-fire manner, hence the name ‘shot’.

　　The UK Weights and Measurements Act defines that a premises may sell a single shot measured at 25ml or 35ml, and a double measured at 50ml. The USA defines shots in US fl oz with a small shot measuring 1floz (30ml), a single 1.5floz (44ml), and a double 2.5floz (74ml).

　　See the table below for more details on shot measurement classification.

　　Rather than simply pouring a spirit or liqueur straight from the bottle, a pourer is commonly used. This is ideal for the small size of a shot glass as a pourer gives greater control over the flow of the liquid. A pourer is particularly useful when creating a layered shot such as a B-52 because the liquid can be poured slowly so the contents do not mix.

　　Despite their small size, shot glasses will often have a thick base, which is ideal for slammers, which require the drinker to ‘slam’ the glass on the bar top. A slammer shot contains a fizzy ingredient, that when slammed, fizzes up to give the drinker an added sensory experience to the strong alcoholic shot.

　　COUNTRY　　　　SMALL SHOT 　　　　SINGLE SHOT 　　　　DOUBLE SHOT

　　UK　　　　 　　　　25ml or 35ml　　　　50ml

　　US/Canada　　　　30ml (1USoz) 　　　　44ml (1.5USoz) 　　　　74ml (2.5USoz)

　　Ireland　　　　 　　　　35.5ml　　　　71ml

　　Australia/New Zealand 　　　　 　　　　30ml　　　　60ml

　　Germany　　　　 　　　　20ml　　　　40ml

　　Poland　　　　25ml　　　　50ml　　　　100ml