How much is 1 oz for drinks?

November 15, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, a standard drink in the US contains 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol, which is often found in a 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof liquor. Understanding how much is 1 oz for drinks is crucial for creating balanced cocktails and managing alcohol consumption, though the exact volume can vary based on location and context.

Quick Summary

This guide explains the different meanings of 1 oz for drinks, detailing its US customary and metric equivalents. It covers the distinction between a fluid ounce and a standard shot, clarifies international variations in pour sizes, and provides essential context for both home mixologists and bar professionals. Practical tips on measuring tools are also included for consistency.

Key Points

1 oz equals 29.57 ml in the US: A US fluid ounce is technically 29.57 milliliters, though many bartenders round this to 30 ml for convenience in cocktails.
'Shot' size varies: A standard shot in the US is typically 1.5 oz (44 ml), not 1 oz, but some establishments pour smaller or larger shots.
International differences are significant: Bar measurements differ globally, with countries like the UK and Australia using metric pours (e.g., 25 or 30 ml) instead of fluid ounces.
Tools ensure consistency: Using proper measuring tools like jiggers is critical for creating balanced cocktails and ensuring accurate pour sizes.
1 oz is not a 'standard drink': The definition of a standard drink is based on pure alcohol content, not volume. For example, a 1.5 oz shot of 80-proof spirits is one standard drink, while a 1 oz pour is less.
Terms like 'pony' and 'double' have specific meanings: A pony shot is 1 oz, while a double shot is typically 2 to 3 oz, depending on the venue.
Rounding is a common practice: For many cocktail recipes, rounding 1 oz to 30 ml is a common and acceptable practice that simplifies conversions between imperial and metric systems.

Understanding the US Fluid Ounce

In the United States, a fluid ounce (fl oz) is a standard unit of volume, primarily used for measuring liquids. A US fluid ounce is equal to 29.57 milliliters (ml). While this is the official conversion, for convenience in many cocktail recipes, bartenders and home mixologists often round this up to 30 ml. This slight rounding makes mental math simpler when working with metric measurements. The importance of this consistency is particularly high in cocktail making, where precise ratios of ingredients determine the final flavor profile.

The Difference Between '1 oz' and 'One Shot'

One of the most common points of confusion for drinkers is the difference between a fluid ounce and a 'shot' of liquor. A 'shot' is not a universally standardized measurement. In the United States, a standard shot is generally considered to be 1.5 fl oz (about 44 ml). However, this can vary significantly by state and even by the specific bar. For example, a bar may pour a 'short shot' of just 1 oz (30 ml), while a 'double shot' can be 2 to 3 ounces. The 1 oz measurement is sometimes referred to as a 'pony shot,' harkening back to older cocktail recipes.

International Ounce and Pour Sizes

The US isn't the only country with its own fluid ounce measurement. The imperial fluid ounce, once common in the UK and still referenced in some older recipes, is slightly smaller than the US fluid ounce at 28.41 ml. Moreover, many countries have moved completely to the metric system for bar measurements, with standard pours in milliliters.

UK: Standard spirit pours are typically 25 ml or 35 ml.
Australia: A standard spirit nip is 30 ml (equivalent to 1 oz).
Japan: A standard pour can be 30 ml (1 oz) or as large as 60 ml (2 oz).

This global variation makes understanding the recipe's origin essential for accurate mixing. For instance, a classic cocktail recipe originating in the US likely assumes a 1.5 oz 'shot' for spirits, whereas a modern international recipe may specify measurements in milliliters.

Practical Applications and Measurement Tools

To ensure consistency, especially when following cocktail recipes, using proper measuring tools is essential. While free-pouring may seem impressive, it is inherently inaccurate for precise drinks.

Jiggers: The most common bar tool for measuring, with most standard jiggers featuring a larger side for a 1.5 oz shot and a smaller side, often 0.75 oz. Many modern versions include multiple markings for half-ounce increments.
Measured Pour Spouts: These are designed to dispense a consistent, pre-determined volume, such as 1 oz or 1.5 oz, for high-volume bars and inventory control.
Kitchen Measuring Spoons: For the home bartender without specialized tools, remember that 1 oz is equivalent to 2 tablespoons (TBSP).

Comparison of Standard Bar Measurements


Measurement	US Fluid Ounces (fl oz)	Metric Equivalent (ml)	Notes
Pony Shot	1 fl oz	~30 ml	Smaller pour, common in older recipes.
Standard US Shot	1.5 fl oz	~44 ml	Most common shot size in the United States.
Standard UK Pour	~0.85 or 1.18 fl oz	25 or 35 ml	Metric-based standard pours in the UK.
Double Shot (US)	2–3 fl oz	~59–88 ml	Varies by bar and region.
Splash	~0.2 fl oz	~6 ml	A very loose measure, typically for flavorings.
Dash	Minimal	~0.1 ml	Usually refers to a few drops of bitters.

Why 1 oz is not a standard drink unit

For health and safety purposes, it's vital to remember that 1 fl oz is not equivalent to a 'standard drink.' The US standard drink guideline defines an amount of beverage that contains 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol. Because different types of alcohol have varying concentrations, the volume required to reach 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol will change. For example, a 1.5 oz shot of 80-proof (40% ABV) liquor contains this 0.6 oz of alcohol, but a 12 oz beer (5% ABV) and a 5 oz glass of wine (12% ABV) also count as a single standard drink. Therefore, while 1 oz is a precise volume measure, it is not a standard unit for gauging alcohol intake.

Conclusion

In summary, 1 oz for drinks is most accurately understood as 29.57 ml in the US, but is often rounded to 30 ml for practical cocktail-making. Crucially, it is not the same as a standard US shot (1.5 oz). Factors like international variations, a bar's own pouring standards, and the use of proper measuring tools all contribute to the final volume. For both home enthusiasts and professional bartenders, understanding these distinctions is key to making consistent, high-quality cocktails. Being mindful of these measurement differences is also important for tracking alcohol consumption responsibly.

Frequently Asked Questions

A US fluid ounce is equivalent to 29.57 milliliters (ml). For practical purposes in cocktail-making, this is often rounded to 30 ml.

No, a standard shot in the United States is 1.5 oz (about 44 ml). A 1 oz pour is often called a 'pony shot' and is smaller than a standard shot.

The amount of alcohol depends on the proof of the spirit. A 1 oz pour of 80-proof liquor (40% ABV) contains 0.4 oz of pure alcohol, which is less than a standard drink of 0.6 oz.

The UK primarily uses the metric system for bar measures, with standard pours being 25 ml or 35 ml. While 30 ml is about 1 oz, the system is metric, not ounce-based.

Using accurate measurements ensures consistency in cocktail flavor and strength. While a rounded 30 ml is fine for many recipes, precision is key for complex or delicate drinks.

A 'pony' is a bartending term that refers to a 1 oz (30 ml) pour. It is a specific measurement used in some cocktail recipes.

You can use a standard kitchen measuring spoon. Since 1 oz is equal to 2 tablespoons (TBSP), you can use that instead of a jigger for basic recipes.