Determining shots per bottle
To start, there are three common sizes for shot glasses or jiggers: 1 ounce, 1.5 ounces, and 2 ounces. The 2-ounce pour is often favored in bars, as it provides many cocktails with better structure and flavor balance. If you're using a 2-ounce glass, you can expect to get around 12 or 13 shots. However, there are additional factors to keep in mind. Souvenir shot glasses from theme parks and resorts may not be as accurately measured as those found in restaurant supply stores.
Moreover, similar to how people might measure ingredients differently in baking, pouring can vary from person to person—especially after a few drinks. Pouring to the measurement line or overflowing can lead to significant differences in the final count. In practice, since most people tend to fill a shot glass to the brim or to the measurement line, you can anticipate getting about 15 or 16 shots from a 1.5-ounce glass and around 12 shots from a 2-ounce glass. Lastly, ensure that you're using a 750-milliliter bottle (not a 700-milliliter one, which was only recently approved for the American market) to start with.
Why counting shots counts
When hosting an event, careful planning is essential. While a bottle of vodka might appear to be a substantial amount, when you have eight guests each enjoying two tequila shots or cocktails, the liquor can disappear quickly. Factor in spills and over-pouring, and you may find yourself needing several bottles for a larger gathering.
For large-scale cocktails, such as punches or batched drinks, precise measurements are crucial. With a punch, the aim is to achieve the right balance of alcohol without making it too overpowering. Whether you're preparing mimosas for a crowd, the ideal Fish House Punch, or a simple watermelon-and-vodka drink for a picnic, knowing how to scale your recipes is beneficial (one cup is roughly equivalent to five 1.5-ounce shots, just so you know). When it comes to pre-batched cocktails, some ingredients, like spices, don’t always scale proportionately (you’ll typically need less cinnamon or salt per serving). Additionally, dilution may be necessary: a common guideline is to add water at 10% of the total volume of ingredients. Ultimately, the goal is twofold: to ensure you’re crafting the best possible drinks and to guarantee there are enough servings for you and your friends to celebrate in style.
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