Shot glasses

A shot glass holds a single or double spirit measure, usually 25ml, 35ml or 50ml in the UK. Licensed premises serving spirits by the measure must use stamped glasses or stamped measures.

  • UK single spirit measures are 25ml or 35ml, doubles are twice that
  • Stamped glasses carry an official mark verifying the measure line
  • Toughened glass resists chipping in busy bars and dishwashers
  • Plain glasses wash well; printed and metallic finishes fade in a dishwasher

Showing all 10 results

Showing all 10 results

A shot glass does one job well: it holds a fixed amount of spirit, either to drink straight or to pour into a mix. In the UK that amount is usually 25ml or 35ml for a single, with the double at twice the measure, so the size you buy should match the way you actually pour rather than whatever looks the part on a shelf.nnThe other decision is whether the glass needs to be stamped. At home it makes no difference at all. If you are serving spirits by the measure in licensed premises, the law requires a stamped glass or a stamped measure, so it is worth being clear on which you are buying before the order goes in.

Which type do you need?

Shot glasses vary mainly by measure, by whether they are stamped, and by how much handling they are built to take.

TypeBest forWorth knowing
Stamped 25ml or 35ml Licensed premises serving spirits by the measure The mark applies to that glass, so a chipped rim takes it out of use
Unstamped shot glass Home use, parties and measuring out a cocktail Fine at home, but not for serving a measured spirit in a venue
Toughened shot glass Busy bars, events and anywhere glasses get stacked Harder to chip, though a firm knock will still break it
Novelty and party formats Rounds at home, shot trays and party sets Sizes vary a lot, so treat the stated capacity as approximate

How to choose

What size is a shot in the UK?

There is no single national answer. Licensed premises serve spirits in either 25ml or 35ml measures, and a venue has to pick one, stick to it and make the choice clear to customers. Doubles are simply two of that measure, so 50ml or 70ml. At home none of that applies, but most UK cocktail recipes are written around 25ml and 50ml, so a glass filled to those two points is the easiest one to work with. If you are buying for a bar, check which measure the venue already pours before ordering a set.

What does a stamped shot glass actually mean?

A stamped glass carries an official verification mark showing it has been checked against a legal measure. In the UK, spirits sold by the measure in licensed premises have to be served either through a stamped measure, such as a thimble measure or an optic, or in a glass stamped to that measure. Unstamped glasses are perfectly legal to own and sell, and they are exactly what most people want at home, but they cannot be used to serve a measured spirit in a venue. If you are buying for trade, check the stamp before anything else.

Do you need shot glasses if you already own a jigger?

For measuring, no. A 25ml/50ml jigger is more accurate and far easier to pour cleanly from than a glass with a moulded line inside it. Shot glasses earn their place for drinking rather than mixing: neat spirits, chilled tequila, a round of something at a party, or a layered shot where the glass is part of the serve. Most people who make cocktails at home end up with both, using the jigger to build drinks and keeping a set of shot glasses in the cupboard for guests.

Common questions

What size is a UK shot glass?

Most UK shot glasses are made to 25ml or 35ml, the two single measures used for spirits in licensed premises, with 50ml versions covering a standard double. Party and novelty glasses are often larger and are not made to any set size, so treat their stated capacity as a rough guide rather than an exact measure of anything.

Do shot glasses need to be stamped?

Only for trade. If you are serving spirits by the measure in licensed premises, the spirit has to be dispensed through a stamped measure or poured into a glass stamped to that measure. For home use there is no requirement at all, so an unstamped glass is completely fine for parties, neat spirits and measuring out ingredients for a cocktail.

What is the difference between toughened and standard shot glasses?

Toughened glass has been heat-treated so the surface copes better with chips and knocks than ordinary glass, which is why bars and event caterers usually specify it. It costs a little more and it is not unbreakable, but it survives stacking, fast washing and a busy service for far longer. At home, standard glass is normally enough.

Are shot glasses dishwasher safe?

Plain glass ones almost always are, and toughened glass handles repeated cycles better than standard glass does. The exceptions are glasses with printed designs, gold or metallic rims, or any painted novelty finish, all of which fade or lift over time in a hot wash. Hand-wash those and keep the dishwasher for your plain sets.

How many shot glasses should I buy?

Six is the usual starting point for a home bar, which covers a round for guests without taking much shelf space. If you host often, or you want a spare or two for breakages, twelve is more comfortable. For a bar or an event, buy in the boxed quantities the trade sizes come in, since replacing odd glasses later is rarely straightforward.

Have a look at

Jiggers & measuresWhisky glassesCocktail sets

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