Can Two Shots of Tequila Get You Drunk?

December 13, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, a standard drink contains about 14 grams of pure alcohol, which is the amount found in a 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof tequila. Whether two of these shots are enough to cause intoxication depends heavily on individual variables, not just the quantity consumed.

Quick Summary

The intoxication level from two shots of tequila varies significantly based on individual factors like weight, gender, and whether food was consumed. Two shots can be enough to cause noticeable impairment or even push some individuals over the legal driving limit, especially if consumed quickly or on an empty stomach.

Key Points

Individual Factors Are Key: Whether two shots of tequila get you drunk depends on variables like your body weight, gender, metabolism, and food consumption, not just the quantity consumed.
Two Shots Can Cause Intoxication: For smaller individuals, women, and those with low tolerance drinking on an empty stomach, two shots can lead to noticeable impairment or exceed the legal BAC driving limit.
Food Slows Absorption: Consuming food before or during drinking can significantly slow the rate at which alcohol enters your bloodstream, leading to a lower peak blood alcohol content.
Metabolism is Constant: The liver metabolizes alcohol at a steady rate of about one standard drink per hour; drinking faster than this causes BAC to rise and leads to intoxication.
Intoxication is NOT Universal: A person can be legally intoxicated (BAC of 0.08% in the U.S.) even if they don't feel impaired, and the effects can vary dramatically between individuals.
Responsible Drinking is Crucial: Due to the unpredictable nature of alcohol's effects, it is vital to drink slowly, avoid consuming large amounts rapidly, and never drive after drinking.

Understanding a Standard Tequila Shot

Before determining if two shots can cause intoxication, it's essential to define what a standard shot is. In the United States, a standard shot of distilled spirits, like tequila, is 1.5 fluid ounces and typically has an Alcohol by Volume (ABV) of 40% (80 proof). This serving size is considered one "standard drink" in terms of its pure alcohol content, which is approximately 0.6 fluid ounces. Consuming two shots means you have ingested two standard drinks' worth of alcohol.

Key Factors Influencing Intoxication

Several factors play a crucial role in how quickly and intensely you will feel the effects of alcohol. These individual variables mean there is no universal rule for how many shots cause drunkenness. Some people might feel significant effects from just one shot, while others might not be visibly impaired after three or four.

Body Weight and Size: Smaller individuals generally have less water in their bodies to dilute the alcohol, leading to a higher blood alcohol concentration (BAC) from the same amount of alcohol.
Gender: On average, women tend to have less of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), which breaks down alcohol in the stomach. Combined with generally lower body weight and less body water, this means women often reach a higher BAC faster than men who consume the same amount.
Food Consumption: Drinking on an empty stomach allows alcohol to be absorbed into the bloodstream much faster. Eating food, particularly fatty or protein-rich meals, slows down the absorption process, keeping your BAC from rising too rapidly.
Rate of Consumption: Taking two shots back-to-back within a short time frame will cause a rapid spike in BAC. Spacing out your drinks gives your liver more time to metabolize the alcohol, resulting in a lower peak BAC.
Alcohol Tolerance: Regular drinkers develop a higher tolerance, meaning they require more alcohol to feel the same effects. A person with low or no tolerance may become heavily intoxicated from two shots, while someone with high tolerance may only feel a mild buzz.
Medications and Health: Certain medications can interact with alcohol, intensifying its effects or affecting the body's ability to metabolize it. A person's overall physical and mental health also plays a role in their reaction.

The Alcohol Absorption Process

When you drink tequila, alcohol is primarily absorbed into the bloodstream through the lining of your stomach and small intestine. It then travels through the bloodstream to the brain and other organs. The liver metabolizes most of the alcohol at a relatively constant rate—approximately one standard drink per hour. If you consume alcohol faster than your liver can process it, your BAC rises, and you feel drunk.

Comparison of Factors and Their Impact on Intoxication


Factor	High Impact Scenario	Low Impact Scenario
Body Weight	Lighter person (120 lbs)	Heavier person (200 lbs)
Gender	Female	Male
Food Intake	Empty stomach	Full stomach
Drinking Speed	Two shots consumed rapidly (under 30 min)	Two shots consumed over 1.5-2 hours
Tolerance	No/low tolerance drinker	High tolerance drinker
Resulting Effect	Likely to be noticeably intoxicated, possibly over the legal driving limit.	May feel a mild buzz or no significant effect.

Can a Person Be Legally Drunk After Two Shots?

The legal definition of drunk driving in the U.S. is a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08%. While two shots of tequila might not put a large, average-sized male over this limit, it is absolutely possible for a smaller person, especially a woman, to reach or exceed this BAC from just two drinks, particularly if consumed quickly. For example, research indicates that as few as two to four shots can push an average-sized female over the 0.08% limit. It is important to remember that feeling "tipsy" is not the same as being legally impaired, and one can be legally intoxicated without feeling it.

Conclusion: More Than Just a Number

Whether two shots of tequila will get you drunk is not a simple yes or no answer; it is highly dependent on a person's individual physiology and context. For some, it may be enough to cause obvious intoxication and legal impairment, while for others, the effect might be minimal. The key to safe drinking is understanding how alcohol uniquely affects you. Always prioritize responsible consumption by consuming alcohol slowly, never drinking on an empty stomach, and never driving if you have consumed alcohol. Staying informed about the science of alcohol metabolism is the best way to make safer choices and enjoy alcohol responsibly.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you or someone you know needs help with alcohol use, resources are available. For further information on alcohol's effects, consult a reliable source like the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), an authoritative organization on the subject.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most people will start to feel the initial effects of alcohol within 10 to 15 minutes of their first shot. The full effects from two shots will build over the next 30-60 minutes, with the peak BAC reached later.

Yes, it is possible. For a smaller individual or a female, two standard 1.5-ounce shots of 40% ABV tequila consumed in a short time could be enough to push their BAC over the legal driving limit of 0.08%.

Yes. Eating a meal, especially one containing fat, before drinking can significantly slow down the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream. This prevents a rapid spike in BAC and allows your body to process the alcohol more gradually.

In the U.S., a standard shot of tequila is typically 1.5 ounces with an alcohol content of around 40% ABV (80 proof). This amount of alcohol is considered one 'standard drink'.

Yes, generally speaking. Women tend to have less body water than men of similar weight, which results in a higher concentration of alcohol in the blood. Additionally, they have lower levels of the enzyme that metabolizes alcohol.

After consuming two shots, common signs of mild intoxication (BAC up to 0.05%) can include feeling relaxed, more talkative, or experiencing a mild sense of euphoria. The effects are highly individual.

No. The only thing that can decrease your BAC is time, as the liver metabolizes alcohol at a constant rate. Drinking water can help with dehydration and hangovers, but it does not speed up the process of sobering up.