It’s Saturday night and you’re at your favorite bar with some friends. You want to get a little drunk but don’t want to hold onto a tall glass, so you pop in for a shot.
I don’t know about you, but I would like to know how much alcohol to expect from the drink.
Average ounces in a shot glass
An average shot glass can be as small as 1.25 ounces or as large as 1.5 ounces. American shot glasses tend to be at the larger end of this range. I think it’s a good size to start with, but you can explore more options, especially if you have a shot glass collection.
Depending on the alcohol in question, one shot can be more than enough to get you drunk. I wouldn’t want to go much bigger because I’m a bit sensitive to alcohol.
I would ask the bartender or a friend if I’m at their house to know the size. Especially if you have more than one, an extra quarter ounce can make a world of difference.
double shot
Another thing to consider is the average size of a double shot. You can expect to get two or three ounces of alcohol if you request a double shot.
As with normal shots, you should ask the bartender for details. This way you know for sure how much alcohol you will consume.
What affects the size of the shot?
For better or for worse, some shots contain more liquid than others. While a 1.5 ounce shot is the standard, you can have some shots that are larger or smaller.
You can go to a bar where the standard shot size is just one ounce. If you travel internationally, you may find some places that consider two ounces as the standard. This is the case in countries like Israel or Japan.
Why Size Matters
The size of a shot may not seem like a big deal. However, following a recipe and mixing your own shot at home can be crucial.
If you add too much alcohol to your shot, it will taste different than if you followed the recipe exactly. Adding more alcohol can also get you drunker without requiring as many shots.
For some people, a little more alcohol might not make a difference. However, if you have a medical condition or take certain medications, it can affect you significantly.
How do you time a shot?
If you want to take a shot at home, you can measure the alcohol. This way you can get the flavor you expect based on a specific recipe. They can also prevent you from getting too drunk.
One option is to use the shot glass, which requires you to measure the liquid. Now you need to know how big the shot glass is. You would also need to fill it up completely to know for sure how much alcohol you’re using.
A better method is to use a tablespoon. Assuming you’re making a 1.5 ounce shot, you’ll need to measure out three tablespoons since one equals 0.5 ounces.
