When you’re looking for the best shot glass, you have several options. Different shapes, sizes, and types of glasses are common among those interested in buying a new one. Taking into consideration the type you like and your individual preferences, there are numerous different patterns that may catch your eye.
There are no official regulations for what is considered a shot glass, but we’ve selected some of our favorites that have caught our attention. Our list includes specifics about shot glasses throughout history, how to use them and why you would need one at all.
Why are shot glasses called shot glasses?
Shot glasses are called shot glasses because they hold 1 shot of alcohol each. The name originated from the fact that when a bartender gives you a shot, he usually pours it into a small glass for you to drink. However, with this glass, you can now serve yourself since it is designed in such a way that you can pour your shot into the glass and drink from there. Additionally, due to its design, it helps prevent spills, especially if the bottle of liquor is tall and narrow.
Arcoroc Shot Glass Islande- Best overall
We love entertaining friends and what better way to do it at home. The Islande shots collection from Arcoroc adds an exotic feel to any setting. This collection is available in two different trendy designs and it consists of 60ml/2oz glasses that are great for many different occasions. We can assure you that the Islande collection will make your bar look stylish. And if you have a rich coffer or any other decorative purposes, this set is ideal for that too.
Key Highlights-
- Quality glassware
- Best overall
- High quality
Pure Source Shot Glass- Best Runner up
Pure Source Glass shot is made up of chemically treated glass, for odor-free and pure drinking. It comes with a standardized design that includes a stem, rim, and base with a shape that helps deal with the drinker’s need to pour the liquid into the mouth.
Key Highlights–
- 12 pieces per set
- Lightweight
- This is the best runner up
ZEBROC – Best shot glasses for sipping
Designed to fit perfectly, these small clear shot glasses will look nice on any table. The glass is thick and heavy-duty that comes with a durable rubber base for added stability. Both the bowl and glass around the rim are carved out of crystal shot glasses to form a diamond shape for your enjoyment.
Key Highlights-
- Scratch-resistant
- Looks great on your liquor shelf
- Cool, elegant designed
HELL – Best crystal shot glasses
Bring out the best in every drink you make with this set of 6 HELL High Ball Shot Glasses! Designed with a footed base, these 60 ml glasses offer increased stability while the 18/10 stainless steel finish makes them attractive to any drinker. They’re also the perfect size for mini shots of vodka, tequila, and other liquors. These shot glasses are intended for anyone who wants to enjoy their favorite alcoholic beverages in a proper shot glass.
Key Highlights-
- High quality
- 60ml capacity
- Perfect for a high ball and shooter drinks
Related – 24 Best Highball Glasses to Use When Drinking Some Good Liquor
GTR – Best unique shot glasses
These transparent small shot glasses are a great addition to any home bar! The clear shot glass set includes 4 10ml (1-ounce) capacity shot glasses, as well as a 5th 1.5-ounce shot glass. Perfect for entertaining guests, or just your next night in! The small shot glasses will be sure to be enjoyed for use by you and your friends for years to come!
Key Highlights-
- Shaken or Stirred
- These are top-notch glasses
- Great price
Related – 10 Best Home Bar Cabinets For Small Gatherings
Ek Do Dhai Villians – Best shot glasses for gifting
This is a unique set of 4 shot glasses decorated with comics. It has a capacity of 60ml for each glass. It can be used for serving liquor, Whiskey, Rum, and any kind of shooter item to friends. Multicolor & Durable glasses are always a good choice for your party.
Key Highlights-
- Best gift
- Multi-colored glasses
- Very affordable
STOIQE – Best shot glasses for parties
Add some fun to your next party with STOIQE’s shot glasses. Whether it’s prepping your favorite beverage at home or waiting on the perfect one at a nearby bar, these small yet functional glasses will get the job done right. Made of high-quality, tempered glass, these shot glasses are designed to hold up to heat and scratching.
Key Highlights-
- They are crafted to the highest standards
- Create an impressive show
- Great accessories for parties
Gracious Mart – Best shot glass for durability
The Best Brandy Glass by Gracious Mart is purely elegant and a must-have for any wine connoisseur’s collection. This crystal glass holds 250 ml of your favorite brandy, scotch, or liquor, and it is ideal for old-world tasting rituals. The stemless shape ensures extra ease and comfort when lifting. It’s clear to enjoy the true color and aroma of your drink. It is lead-free and dishwasher safe. Pack includes 6 pieces per set.
Key Highlights-
- Lead-free crystal
- It will not get cloudy over time
- Shatterproof, tearproof, odorless and residue-free
- Very durable
Paksh Novelty – Best novelty shot glass
These novelty shot glasses by Paksh are constructed from crystal clear material with a high-gloss finish. They are durable and break-resistant, the perfect size for finger or thumb grip, and it’s 6 in a pack – so you have enough to share with your friends.
Key Highlights-
- They are cordial glasses
- They are crystal clear
- Best novelty shot glass ever
Aone – Best shot glass for splurge
These Aone Glass And Crockery Drinkware High Ball Glasses are the classic, stylish, and designer serving glass for any drink. With a set of 6 glass high ball glasses, perfect for serving spirits or make-up into a cocktail at your gatherings. They are made from the highest quality crystal clear 300ml Tableware Tempered glass, perfect for 24/7 usage, and have a modern design with stunningly clean lines making them suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
Key Highlights-
- 30 ml capacity
- Excellent and classy design
- Bright and sturdy
Tiener – Best tall shot glasses
With simplicity in mind and quality at heart, let’s talk about the Tiener shot glass. You’ll love this set of six heavy bases 60ml shot glasses which are great for multiple uses and make a great gift idea.
Clear tall shot glasses are perfect all-purpose glass. They fit nicely in the hand and have a heavy base that will keep them from tipping over.
Key Highlights-
- Clear heavy base
- Classic design
- Taller than average shot glasses
PrimeWorld – Best shot glasses for tequila
The shot glasses are perfect for serving tequila and vodka or any other beverage you prefer. They hold 10ml which is approximately 1/3 to ½ oz of liquid. The glass is crystal clear with no imperfections such as air bubbles that you sometimes see in other glasses and holds up to 12 ounces of liquid about three times the size of a classic shot glass. These glasses are perfect for use at parties or to have in your home bar collection.
Key Highlights-
- Perfect drinking gift set
- Fun, small and sleek with a nice weight
- Perfect size for shots and tequila
Desert – Best expensive shot glasses
These luxury shot glasses are unique and stylish and high quality, handcrafted from a durable lead-free pewter alloy. Every detail is perfection and completed with a top layer of fine 24-k yellow gold plating for extravagant shine and luster. Each shot glass set comes with an elegant gift box as well as an extra sheet of gold foil stickers, which makes this shot glass set a perfect gift for every special occasion.
Key Highlights-
- Luxury drinkware and bar accessories
- Heavy base shot glass
- Set of 6
Bohemia-crystal Samba – Best cheapest shot glasses
Party never ends when you have Samba Tall Vodka & Tequila Shot Glasses. Perfect for hard alcohol and other drink recipes, these borosilicate glasses are ideal for parties, celebrations, and more. Redefined by a series of delicate spiral cuts all around the bowl, these shot glass sets keep your drink ice-free without diluting it. Made from premium glass second to none in durability, these disposable shot glasses will add extra zing to your cocktail hour!
Key Highlights-
- Best inexpensive shot glasses
- Set of 6
- Ready for all of your parties
KANARS Everest – Best short glass tumblers
Fun and classy, the KANARS Everest glasses are the ideal styles and class combined. With a unique design that includes an outward projection and extra-wide base, this 10-oz tumbler allows for maximum surface area for your favorite whiskey or scotch and works great for mixing drinks. The clear glass construction of these short glasses gives you a perfect view of the liquid inside. When enjoying a hot beverage such as coffee, tea, or cider, these glasses will keep the heat from hot beverages longer. Also suitable for cold drinks as well.
Key Highlights-
- Lead-free
- Small size
- Set of 4
Related – Top 25 Whiskey Glasses to Enjoy Every Moment of Your Whiskey
King International – Best vodka glass set
This set of shot glasses has a heavy base and imported crystal glass that makes it more durable and long-lasting when compared to a typical bar glass. The unfussy elegance of this set makes it the right choice for any occasion and can also be best personalized.
Key Highlights-
- Best vodka glass
- Ideal for Whiskey, Vodka, Tequilla
- Set of 10
MOHSIN – Best vodka shot glass
Enjoyable during cocktails with family and friends, these classy diamond-shaped single shot Vodka & Whiskey bar glasses are perfect for serving your favorite beer, soda, soft drinks, juice, water, and any other alcoholic beverage. These glassware pieces are also great for drinking cocktails containing juice. Made with high-quality material and shiny crystal rocks design, these glasses will make a great addition to your home top shelf or bar set and add classiness to any drinking party. You will not be disappointed with your purchase.
Key Highlights-
- Glossy finish
- Great for martinis or vodka shots
- All glasses are hand blown and have a diamond cutting edge
Related – 19 Best Cocktail Shakers And Sets For Every Cocktail Lover Out There
VILON – Best heavy-base shot glass
VILON shot glasses are made from high-quality thick glass, non-toxic and durable. The shape of it with the heavy base is for leverage to help you lift them up easier. The 40 ML (1.4 oz) volume and the small size make them easy to hold and to pour so they are very convenient at a party, for example, when people want to taste different liquors but don’t need full glass.
Key Highlights-
- Stackable, durable, and easy to clean
- Works for margaritas, tequila, etc.
- Glasses are made in Mexico, plastic is BPA-free
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you clean shot glasses?
To clean your shot glasses, soak them in hot, soapy water. If grease or residue is stuck on the glass, sprinkle a bit of baking soda onto the glass and fill it with vinegar. The baking soda will help loosen the dirt, and the vinegar will act to dissolve the soda. Wait at least an hour before cleaning shot glasses out of vinegar using a towel and scrubbing brush.
How many ounces are in one shot glass?
It depends on the size of the glass. A small shot glass holds 1.5 ounces and a large one holds 2.25. Some say that a shot of hard liquor is measured in milliliters, but it’s actually measured in ounces by weight.
Can you use shot glasses for something other than spirits?
Probably not something you’d think of using them for, but give these a try sometime. They make great bar scoops for sugar, salt, or spices! Or use to scoop ingredients from a bowl into an appliance.
In addition to liqueurs and spirits, dessert sauces, packaged syrups, extracts, and snacks are all commonly placed in shot glasses because of their small size and portability. Now you can make the most of this versatile kitchen tool!
Are all shot glasses the same size?
Nope and most people are surprised by this. Many people assume that they are, but they definitely aren’t! Did you know that the shot glass measures 3 ounces (or 1 standard drink) of liquid?
That’s right — there is a standard drink size, which is what all shots should be but are not all measured in. Shot glasses are also measured in different diameters, which gives you a better idea of how much “bang” you’re going to get when pouring your next round of shots.
What kind of shot glass do you need?
There are two different types of shot glasses. The first is the short, squatty kind with a spherical bottom. Traditionally these should be used for whiskey or tequila. The second type is longer and thinner and is typically used for other drinks such as vodka or gin.
What is the difference between a shot glass, a jigger, and a shooter?
The difference between a shot glass, a jigger, and a shooter is more than just a matter of size. Unlike most standard shot glasses, mini-jiggers feature an accurate pour line and measurement guide that is stamped into the side of each glass. The 1 oz. jiggers are the perfect size for measuring, making cocktails, and testing your accuracy. You’ll have no problem knowing when you have reached 1, 2, or even 3 shots with these little guys.
What is a double shot?
Double shot glasses are just like regular shot glasses, but twice as big! The larger size creates an impossibly cool thin surface on top of the glass. This means that double shot glasses are visibly thick on the bottom, with a very thin – and smooth – top surface. The word “double shot” refers to any variation of a drink that calls for 2 shots of liquor, or Whiskey-based drinks, and was popularized by two famous bars in New York City, Jack Rabbit Slim’s and Marylou’s.
What is a pony shot?
A pony shot is a mix of liquors over ice served in a lowball glass that looks like it has been used to carry a pony. The origins of this drink are unclear, however, people enjoy them at bars and parties.
Is a jigger the same as a shot?
A jigger is the same as a shot. It’s a size unit of measurement for spirits, made to be the right amount for a single drink or serving for two or more people. Jiggers are a great way to make sure you serve your guests the exact measure of alcohol they want.
What drinks are served in shot glasses?
Beer, cocktails, liquor shots, jelly shots – you’re bound to find a shot glass for every purpose.
Where to store shot glasses?
You can put them on your kitchen counter, or use a rack to keep them in one place. You can also buy shot glasses that have an attachment at the bottom so you can hang the glasses from a shelf.
Can shot glasses go in carry-on?
Unfortunately, some TSA officers won’t let you bring them on board.
Can you drink out of a resin shot glass?
Yes, you can drink out of a resin shot glass. Just like regular shot glasses and mugs, the craftsmanship on these shots glasses will mean that it’s safe to drink out of them (please clean and wash them after each use).
Conclusion
There are a few things to consider before getting one of these shot glasses: what shape do you want your glass to be? Do you want ones with cool designs? Are you the rough and tumble type that wants a durable, super heavy-duty shot glass or something more delicate? If price is important, consider where you’re purchasing from.
Our final thought is that you should probably touch a glass to experiment with the concept. The best way to figure this out is to get your hands on different types of shot glasses and see how they are different from each other. We hope that will help you make the right decision, and soon decide which one to buy.
