Gin is a popular spirit that is commonly used in classic cocktails like the gin and tonic, martini, and Negroni. But how much liquor actually constitutes a measure or shot of gin? Let’s take a closer look at standard gin measurements.
What is a Standard Measure of Gin?
A standard measure of gin is generally considered to be 1.5 ounces or 44 milliliters. This is the typical amount that would be used to make one gin-based cocktail.
There are a few other common gin measurements to be aware of:
- Miniature/Airplane size: 1 ounce
- Single (UK shot): 25-35ml
- Double (UK shot): 50-70ml
In the United States, a shot is usually perceived as 1.5 ounces of spirit. The EU and UK define a shot as 25-35ml. So while the standard US shot and the standard single UK shot differ slightly, they essentially contain the same amount of liquor.
Gin Bottle Sizes and Servings
Gin bottle sizes can range anywhere from 200ml miniatures to 1.75L handles. Here’s an overview of some common gin bottle sizes and approximately how many shots or cocktails they would yield:
| Bottle Size | ML | Ounces | Approx. Servings (1.5oz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miniature/Airplane | 200ml | 6.8oz | 4 |
| Flask | 375ml | 12.7oz | 8 |
| Half Bottle | 500ml | 16.9oz | 11 |
| Liter | 1000ml | 33.8oz | 22 |
| 1.75L Handle | 1750ml | 59.1oz | 39 |
As you can see, a standard 750ml bottle of gin contains approximately 16 standard 1.5 ounce pours. So when stocking up for cocktail parties, you can use this info to estimate how many bottles you might need!
Measurements in Cocktail Recipes
When making cocktails at home, most recipes will call for gin by the ounce rather than relying on the assumption of a standard 1.5oz pour.
For example, here are some common gin measurements you might see in cocktail recipes:
- 2 oz gin – For strong, gin-forward drinks like a martini or negroni
- 1.5 oz gin – The standard pour
- 1 oz gin – For drinks containing other alcohols besides the gin
- 0.75 oz gin – For milder gin cocktails with lots of mixer
These amounts can fluctuate slightly based on the recipe, your tastes, and the preferred gin to mixer ratio. But most recipes will call for gin quantities somewhere in this range.
Measuring Tools
When preparing cocktails at home, it helps to have a few bar tools on hand to accurately measure out liquors like gin.
Recommended tools include:
- Cocktail jigger – Usually includes 1 oz and 1.5oz measuring cups
- Measuring shot glasses – Look for ones marked in ounces
- Measuring spoon – For smaller 0.25 oz or 0.5 oz pours
- Graduated mixing glass – Has ounce markings etched into the glass
These tools help ensure you’re using the correct gin measurements called for in recipes.
Typical Gin-to-Mixer Ratios
In addition to gin ounce measurements, cocktail recipes will also specify amounts of non-alcoholic mixers and ingredients. Here are some common gin-to-mixer ratios you’ll encounter:
Gin and Tonic
- 2 oz gin
- 5-6 oz tonic water
Tom Collins
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz lemon juice
- 2-3 oz simple syrup
- Top with club soda
Martini
- 2-3 oz gin
- 1 oz dry vermouth
Negroni
- 1 oz gin
- 1 oz Campari
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
These ratios ensure the cocktails have enough gin flavor without being unbalanced. Adjust the measurements based on your preferences!
Factors that Affect Gin Volume
There are a few factors that can cause variance in gin measurements and pours:
Dilution from ice
When gin is served on the rocks, some volume is displaced by melted ice. A 1.5 oz pour can decrease to around 1.25-1 oz after being slightly diluted.
Alcohol evaporation
Over time, some alcohol will evaporate out of an open bottle, decreasing the volume slightly.
Settling of contents
The gin may settle in the bottle between uses, so the first pour after long-term storage may be less than 1.5 oz until the contents are agitated.
Bar free pouring
When making drinks, bartenders often eyeball pours rather than using measures. This can lead to minor inconsistencies.
While none of these factors significantly change the volume, they are small variances to be aware of.
How Many Shots to Get Drunk?
Many factors determine the number of shots needed to become intoxicated, such as:
- Body weight and composition
- Metabolism
- Age
- Food intake
- Tolerance
As a general guideline based on common assumptions:
- 2 shots may cause slight impairment in new drinkers
- 3-4 shots within an hour may cause intoxication
- 6+ shots likely causes extreme intoxication
However, this varies drastically between individuals based on the factors mentioned above. It is also dependent on the time period consumed. Spreading drinks out over several hours vs. taking shots in quick succession produces very different effects.
Recommended Maximum Alcohol Intake
Official low-risk drinking guidelines generally recommend:
- Women: No more than 7 drinks per week and no more than 2-3 per day
- Men: No more than 14 drinks per week and no more than 4 per day
Heavy drinking is defined as 8+ drinks per week for women and 15+ drinks per week for men. Anything beyond recommended limits is considered dangerous high-risk consumption.
How Many Ounces of Gin to Get Drunk?
As a rough estimate based on common assumptions:
- Women may start to feel impairment at 2-3 ounces
- Men may start to feel impairment at 3-4 ounces
- Heavy intoxication can occur at 5+ ounces
However, as previously stated, alcohol tolerance and effects vary widely based on the individual. These are broad generalizations that do not apply to everyone equally.
Factors Affecting Intoxication Level
Beyond number of drinks, these variables also influence intoxication:
Mixers
Drinks made with liquor only will have a higher alcohol content than drinks mixed with sodas, juices, etc. The mixers dilute the alcohol percentage.
Non-alcoholic ingredients
Ingredients like fruit juices and sugary syrups help mask the taste of liquor, allowing faster consumption. Carbonation also accelerates alcohol absorption.
Rate of drinking
Drinking multiple shots or cocktails back-to-back boosts blood alcohol concentration over slowly sipping drinks.
Food intake
Eating food before or during drinking slows down alcohol absorption into the bloodstream.
Understanding all these contributing factors provides a more complete picture than number of drinks alone.
Approximate Calorie Content
The calorie content of gin varies by brand, but on average:
- A 1.5 oz shot of gin contains around 105 calories
- An entire 750ml bottle contains approximately 1100 calories
However, when factoring in mixers like juices, sodas and simple syrups, the calorie count of cocktails made with gin climbs much higher. For example, a gin and tonic can clock in around 200 calories or more per drink.
So while gin alone is a relatively low calorie liquor, complete mixed drinks containing gin may contain significant calories.
Low Calorie Mixing Options
To make lower calorie gin cocktails, consider using:
- Plain seltzer or soda water
- Diet tonic
- Fresh citrus juices
- Cucumber
- Fresh herbs like mint and basil
- Green tea
Combining gin with any of these ingredients allows you to minimize calories while still enjoying delicious drinks!
The Proof of Gin
Proof refers to the alcohol percentage of a spirit, and gin typically falls within the following proof range:
- 70-90 proof – 35-45% ABV
- 94 proof – 47% ABV
- 114-115 proof – 57-58% ABV
Bottles will usually be labeled with the gin’s specific proof. The most common is 80 proof gin, which equates to 40% alcohol by volume.
Some modern gins classify themselves as “overproof,” meaning they exceed 80 proof and pack a higher alcohol punch.
Calculating Proof
Proof is calculated by doubling the alcohol percentage. So an 80 proof gin is 40% ABV alcohol.
You can also calculate ABV from proof: simply divide the proof number by two. 114 proof gin would be 57% ABV.
How Many Shots in a Liter of Gin?
There are approximately 22 standard 1.5 ounce shots in a liter of gin.
The math is:
- 1 liter = 1000ml
- 1000ml / 45ml (1.5oz) = 22.2
So a liter bottle contains roughly 22 servings when measuring shots as 1.5 ounces each.
How Many Shots in Common Gin Bottle Sizes?
Here’s a summary of the estimated number of shots in popular gin bottle formats:
| Bottle Size | Total Shots (1.5oz each) |
|---|---|
| 200ml Miniature | 4 |
| 375ml Flask | 8 |
| 500ml Half Bottle | 11 |
| 750ml Bottle | 16 |
| 1 Liter | 22 |
| 1.75 Liter Handle | 39 |
Keep these totals handy for reference when stocking up on gin. It helps ensure you buy enough to serve guests without letting gin go to waste.
Tips for Consuming Gin Responsibly
When drinking gin, keep in mind:
- Eat food before and while drinking to slow alcohol absorption.
- Alternate alcoholic drinks with water to stay hydrated.
- Drink slowly over a long period, avoiding shots or chugging.
- Determine your limits and stop drinking before reaching extreme intoxication.
- Never drive after consuming any amount of alcohol.
- Be aware gin can interact with medications; check with your doctor.
Drinking in moderation and considering your personal tolerance allows you to enjoy gin safely and responsibly.
Conclusion
While gin measurements and servings can vary based on many circumstances, a standard gin pour is commonly defined as 1.5 ounces. Cocktail recipes specify amounts in ounces rather than relying on assumed “shot” sizes. Small differences in pours arise from factors like dilution, evaporation losses, and inconsistencies. But the typical gin-to-mixer ratios create balanced, flavorful drinks. Effects and intoxication levels differ considerably between individuals based on physical characteristics. Moderating intake and being aware of your consumption promotes responsible gin enjoyment.
