Quick Answer
50 ml is equal to 1.7 ounces as a shot. 50 ml is a common shot size around the world, and contains approximately 1.7 fluid ounces of liquid. So if you are curious how many ounces are in a standard 50 ml shot, the answer is 1.7 oz.
Detailed Explanation
When looking at liquid measurements, there are a few key units to be aware of:
- Milliliters (ml)
- Ounces (oz)
- Milliliters to ounces conversion
Let’s take a closer look at each of these to better understand how many ounces are in 50 ml for a shot:
Milliliters (ml)
A milliliter is a metric unit of measurement for volume. It is equal to 1/1000 of a liter. Milliliters are commonly used for measuring small amounts of liquids, like medication dosages, lab samples, and of course – alcohol shots.
Some key facts about milliliters:
- The milliliter is the official unit of measurement in most countries, along with other metric units.
- 50 ml is a common shot size at bars and restaurants around the world.
- 50 ml equals 1.7 ounces (more details below).
Ounces (oz)
An ounce is an imperial unit of measurement used in countries like the United States. It is commonly used to measure volumes of liquid.
Some key facts about ounces:
- There are 2 tablespoon in 1 liquid ounce
- 1 shot is around 1.5 ounces
- There are 128 fluid ounces in 1 gallon
Milliliters to Ounces Conversion
The conversion rate between milliliters and ounces is:
- 1 ml = 0.03 ounces
- 1 ounce = 29.57 ml
So for a 50 ml shot size, the math is:
- 50 ml x (1 oz/29.57 ml) = 1.7 oz
In other words, there are 1.7 fluid ounces (oz) in 50 milliliters (ml) of liquid.
Common Shot Sizes
Here are some of the standard shot sizes you can expect around the world and how they convert to ounces:
| Shot Size | Milliliters | Ounces |
|---|---|---|
| Nip | 30 ml | 1 oz |
| Pony | 45 ml | 1.5 oz |
| Standard Shot | 50 ml | 1.7 oz |
As you can see, the most common 50 ml shot contains 1.7 fluid ounces. So next time you are at a bar or restaurant, you can use this handy conversion to understand exactly how much liquid is in your shot!
Why Shots are 50 ml
Most countries regulate the serving size of alcoholic beverages. Shots have been standardized around the world to 50 ml for several reasons:
- Easy to measure – 50 ml translates to 1.7 oz which is easy to pour.
- Prevents overserving – A standardized 50 ml shot helps bartenders control alcoholic intake.
- Consistent pricing – Shots can be uniformly priced at 50 ml pours.
In the United States, a “jigger” usually holds 1.5 ounces of liquor, which is close to a 50 ml shot. So the typical shot size has become standardized for consistency, regulation, and convenience.
Measuring Shots Without a Jigger
If you want to pour shots at home without a measuring jigger, here are some tips:
- Use a teaspoon – 5 teaspoons equals 1 ounce, so 10 teaspoons would be a 50 ml shot.
- Look at the liquor bottle cap – Many caps are 1.5 ounces, so aim to pour 3 caps for a 50 ml shot.
- Count seconds while pouring – Pouring liquor steadily for 4-5 seconds will generally yield a 50 ml shot.
With practice you can train your eye and pouring skills to deliver a standard 50 ml shot. But for consistent results, nothing beats actually measuring with a jigger or shot glass specifically designed for 50 ml pours.
Drink Recipes Using a 50 ml Shot
There are endless cocktails that use a standard 50 ml shot as the liquor base. Here are just a few common ones:
Vodka
- Vodka Martini – 2 oz (60ml) vodka, 1/2 oz dry vermouth
- Vodka Gimlet – 2 oz vodka, 1/2 oz lime juice
- Vodka Tonic – 2 oz vodka topped with tonic water
- Moscow Mule – 2 oz vodka, ginger beer, lime juice
Gin
- Gin and Tonic – 2 oz gin topped with tonic water and lime
- Tom Collins – 2 oz gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, club soda
- Negroni – 1 oz gin, 1 oz sweet vermouth, 1 oz Campari
- Gimlet – 2 oz gin, 1/2 oz lime juice
Rum
- Piña Colada – 2 oz rum, 2 oz pineapple juice, 1 oz coconut cream
- Daiquiri – 2 oz rum, 1 oz lime juice, 1/2 oz simple syrup
- Mojito – 2 oz rum, mint, lime juice, sparkling water
- Rum and Coke – 2 oz rum topped with coke
Tequila
- Margarita – 2 oz tequila, 1 oz lime juice, 1/2 oz orange liqueur
- Paloma – 2 oz tequila, grapefruit soda, lime juice
- Tequila Sunrise – 2 oz tequila, orange juice, grenadine syrup
This is just a small sample of classic cocktails that start with a standard 50 ml (1.7 oz) shot as the foundation. When making cocktails at home, use a jigger to accurately measure your 50 ml shot for the perfect balance.
Other Uses for 50 ml Measurements
Beyond shots and cocktails, a 50 ml measurement has many uses. Here are some other common products that come in 50 ml sizes:
- Mini alcohol bottles or “nips” – usually 50 ml
- Essential oil bottles – commonly 5, 10, and 50 ml
- Liquid medicine – children’s doses may be 50 ml
- Cosmetics and beauty products – sample and travel sizes of creams, gels, etc.
- Condiments – single serve ketchup, mayo, etc.
Any product that is meant to be used in small amounts may be packaged in a 50 ml size. It provides convenience while limiting excess usage.
Typical Drink Sizes Comparison
To put a 50 ml shot in context, here’s how it compares to other common drink sizes:
| Drink | Milliliters | Ounces |
|---|---|---|
| Shot | 50 ml | 1.7 oz |
| Wine Glass | 140 ml | 5 oz |
| Beer Bottle | 350 ml | 12 oz |
| Pint of Beer | 500 ml | 16 oz |
| Wine Bottle | 750 ml | 25 oz |
As you can see, a shot is the smallest drink size, containing just 1.7 ounces. The other drink sizes go up dramatically in volume from there.
Conclusion
In summary, 50 ml equals 1.7 fluid ounces in a standard shot. The 50 ml shot size has become popular worldwide as an efficient way to serve spirits and liquor. Understanding shot sizes and conversions is useful for bartending, mixology, and measuring any small amounts of liquid.
So the next time you are enjoying shots with friends, you can confidently say there are 1.7 ounces in every 50 ml pour!
