How Big Is a Shot of Alcohol?
The size of a shot of alcohol depends on the size of the shot glass used. Shot glasses are the small glasses that measure or hold alcohol for drinking straight from the glass or pouring into a mixed drink. In the United States, a shot of alcohol can contain anywhere from 1 to 2 ounces, with most restaurants and bars serving between 1.25 and 1.5 ounces per shot.
Although the actual alcohol content varies depending on the type of alcohol being poured into the shot glass, a 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof alcohol contains roughly the same amount of alcohol as a 12-ounce can of beer or a 5-ounce glass of wine. The number of shots in a 750-milliliter bottle of alcohol, which holds approximately 25.4 ounces, depends on the size of the shot being poured. For example, a bartender pouring 1.5-ounce shots can serve roughly 17 shots per bottle. Using a 1.25-ounce shot, that same bottle of alcohol yields just over 20 shots.
Shooters, which are small mixed drinks that may be served in a shot glass, typically average 2 to 3 ounces of liquid. Some popular shooters include kamikazes (vodka, lime juice and orange liqueur) and lemon drops
(vodka, wedge of lemon and sugar).
