How many shots are in a typical bottle of alcohol?

November 28, 2025 •

3 min read

In the United States, a standard 750ml bottle of liquor, also known as a 'fifth,' contains approximately 17 shots. The exact number of shots in a typical bottle of alcohol depends on the bottle's size and the standard pour measurement used, which can vary by country.

Quick Summary

The number of shots in an alcohol bottle is calculated by dividing the total volume by the shot size, with the standard U.S. pour being 1.5 ounces. This guide provides a breakdown of various bottle sizes, from miniatures to handles, detailing the number of shots each yields for accurate planning.

Key Points

Standard Shot Size: A standard shot in the U.S. is 1.5 ounces, but this can vary by region and establishment.
Standard Bottle Count: A standard 750ml liquor bottle, or a 'fifth', contains approximately 17 shots based on the 1.5-ounce standard.
Handles Offer Bulk Value: Large 1.75L 'handle' bottles are the most cost-effective and hold around 39 standard shots.
Pouring Technique Matters: Free-pouring can lead to inconsistent drink strength and fewer servings per bottle, while using a jigger ensures precision.
Bottle Size Affects Aging: Smaller bottles tend to age more quickly due to higher oxygen exposure, while larger bottles age slower.
Cocktail vs. Shot Counts: The number of finished cocktails from a bottle is lower than the number of shots, as cocktail recipes often use more than 1.5 ounces of spirit.

Understanding the Standard Shot

Before determining how many shots are in a typical bottle of alcohol, it's essential to define what constitutes a single 'shot.' In the United States, the widely accepted standard pour is 1.5 fluid ounces (44 ml). However, this is not a federal mandate and can vary. Utah is the only state to officially define a shot at 1.5 ounces, while other bars might pour slightly less (1.25 oz) or more, especially for neat drinks. Outside the US, the standard is different; for example, the UK standard is 25ml or 35ml, meaning a 750ml bottle would yield 30 shots based on the smaller measure.

How Bottle Size Affects the Number of Shots

The number of shots you can get is directly related to the bottle's total volume. For home use, or when stocking a bar for a party, knowing these common bottle sizes and their corresponding shot counts is crucial for accurate planning and responsible serving. Below is a detailed breakdown of various liquor bottle sizes and the approximate number of 1.5-ounce shots they contain.

The Standard "Fifth" (750ml)

The 750ml bottle is the most common size for spirits and is referred to as a "fifth"—a holdover term from when bottles were measured as one-fifth of a gallon. A 750ml bottle contains 25.4 fluid ounces, which translates to roughly 17 standard (1.5-ounce) shots. This is the most frequently purchased size for both consumers and bars.

Larger Bottle Formats: The Handle (1.75L)

For larger gatherings or high-volume needs, the 1.75-liter bottle is a common choice. Often called a "handle" due to its literal handle, this size holds 59.2 fluid ounces and yields approximately 39 shots. Handles offer better value per ounce and are an economical option for stocking a home bar or managing inventory in a commercial setting.

Liquor Bottle Size Comparison Table


Bottle Name	Volume (ml)	Volume (oz)	Approx. Shots (1.5 oz)	Best For
Miniature / Nip	50 ml	1.7 oz	1 shot	Sampling, Travel, Gifting
Half Pint	200 ml	6.8 oz	4 shots	Small gatherings, Personal use
Pint	375 ml	12.7 oz	8 shots	Smaller gatherings, Testing new spirits
Fifth (Standard)	750 ml	25.4 oz	17 shots	Everyday use, Parties
Liter	1 L	33.8 oz	22 shots	Higher volume use, Bars
Handle / Half Gallon	1.75 L	59.2 oz	39 shots	Large events, High-volume bars

Factors That Affect the Number of Shots

While the math is straightforward, several factors can alter the actual number of shots poured from a bottle. These variables are important for both consumers and professionals to consider.

Pouring Technique: Free-pouring, as opposed to using a jigger, is less accurate and can lead to inconsistency. Professional bartenders often free-pour using a speed pourer and a specific counting method, but this still requires training and practice.
Cocktail Recipes: Many cocktails call for more than a single 1.5-ounce pour of the base spirit. A classic Manhattan, for instance, might use 2 ounces of whiskey, meaning a 750ml bottle would make fewer total drinks.
Glassware: The number of servings can also depend on the glassware used. Serving a 'neat' pour often means a larger, 2-ounce pour in a rocks glass to avoid it looking like a single shot.
Spillage: In any real-world scenario, some liquid is inevitably lost to spillage or inconsistent pouring. Rounding down shot counts, as suggested by WebstaurantStore, can give a more realistic estimate.

Conclusion

Knowing how many shots are in a typical bottle of alcohol is a practical skill for anyone from a home cocktail enthusiast to a professional bartender. A standard 750ml bottle yields about 17 shots, but this number can change significantly depending on the bottle size and pouring accuracy. Using the chart and factors outlined above can help ensure you have the right amount of liquor for any occasion, from a small gathering to a large celebration. For more detailed information on industry standards and practices, consulting resources like BinWise can be beneficial for managing bar inventory effectively.

A Quick Checklist for Planning with Alcohol Bottle Sizes

Miniatures (50ml): Good for individual servings, but expensive per-ounce. Contains 1 shot.
Fifth (750ml): The standard. Ideal for most parties, yielding approximately 17 shots.
Liter (1L): A 25% increase over a fifth, providing around 22 shots for a larger event.
Handle (1.75L): The most cost-effective per ounce for high-volume needs, with roughly 39 shots.
Jiggers are Best: For precise, professional-level pouring, always use a jigger to measure your shots.

Frequently Asked Questions

A standard 750ml bottle, often called a 'fifth', holds approximately 17 shots based on the common 1.5-ounce U.S. serving size.

A 'handle' is a 1.75-liter bottle, which contains about 39 shots when measured in standard 1.5-ounce portions.

While there is no federal standard in the U.S., most bartenders consider a standard shot to be 1.5 ounces (44 ml), and shot glasses are typically designed to hold this amount.

No, the number of shots in a bottle is determined by the total volume of the bottle, not the type of spirit inside. A 750ml bottle will yield the same number of 1.5-ounce shots whether it contains vodka, whiskey, or rum.

The smallest commonly sold liquor bottle is the 50ml miniature, also known as a 'nip', which contains roughly one standard shot.

The term 'fifth' dates back to when liquor was measured in gallons; a 750ml bottle was roughly equivalent to one-fifth of a gallon.

A jigger is a measuring tool that ensures consistent and accurate pours, which helps prevent over-pouring, minimizes waste, and ensures drinks are consistently made.