Whether you are making a batch co*cktail or just mixing up a bunch of individual drinks for your friends, knowing how many shots you have in a bottle of liquor is pretty important. Running out might be your worst nightmare—and an instant party ruiner. Plus, if you want to be a good at home bartender, you have to have a stocked bar. Here's how to plan your liquor store shopping list:
A standard bottle of alcohol, or a fifth, has 750 milliliters, which will give you about 16 shots or 16 co*cktails. One shot is typically an ounce and a half.
A mini or nip has 50 milliliters, and will give you one shot.
A quarter pint is 100 milliliters and will give you two shots.
A half pint, 200 milliliters, will yield four shots.
A pint, 375 milliliters, has eight shots.
A liter has 22 shots.
A magnum, 1.5 liters, has 33 shots.
A half gallon has 39 shots.
A double magnum, or a Jeroboam, has 67 shots.
A Rehoboam, 4.5 liters, has 101 shots.
When we bring mixers into the equation, things can get a little more complicated, because it all depends on what drink you are making. Any recipe that requires a syrup (simple syrup, rosemary syrup, cinnamon syrup, etc.) will need about a quarter to half ounce per co*cktail. If you are adding juice to that, it'll be around a quarter to a half ounce too. Squeezing one lime will get you about an ounce of juice, a lemon is one-and-a half ounces, an orange is about two to three ounces, and a grapefruit is five to six ounces. And if you are topping any of these drink with soda, you'll need anywhere from a splash to five ounces per co*cktail.
So if you are hosting a party with 10 guests, estimate that each guest will have around three drinks. So you'll need three bottles of liquor, two cups of any syrups, two cups of juice, and 180 ounces of soda. And that's if you're only making one co*cktail.
Food & Culture Editor
Felicia LaLomia is the Food & Culture Editor for Delish. When she isn’t covering food news or writing features about delicious trends in the culinary world, she’s searching for her next perfect bite.
As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in the realm of mixology and bartending, I bring a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in planning and executing a well-stocked bar for any social occasion. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for the craft, I can guide you through the essentials of planning your liquor store shopping list with precision and confidence.
Let's dive into the foundational concepts outlined in the provided article to ensure a comprehensive grasp of the information:
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Standard Bottle Sizes:
- A standard bottle of alcohol, known as a fifth, contains 750 milliliters.
- This equates to approximately 16 shots or 16 co*cktails.
- The standard shot size is typically an ounce and a half.
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Smaller Bottle Sizes:
- Mini or nip bottles contain 50 milliliters, providing one shot.
- A quarter pint, with 100 milliliters, yields two shots.
- Half pint (200 milliliters) gives four shots.
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Larger Bottle Sizes:
- A pint bottle (375 milliliters) has eight shots.
- A liter bottle contains 22 shots.
- Magnum (1.5 liters) has 33 shots.
- Half gallon provides 39 shots.
- Double magnum or Jeroboam (1.5 liters) offers 67 shots.
- Rehoboam (4.5 liters) boasts 101 shots.
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Mixers and Quantities:
- Planning for mixers adds complexity, depending on the type of drink being prepared.
- For co*cktails requiring syrup (simple syrup, rosemary syrup, cinnamon syrup, etc.), plan for a quarter to half an ounce per co*cktail.
- Juice quantities vary: one lime yields about an ounce, a lemon provides one-and-a-half ounces, an orange offers two to three ounces, and a grapefruit gives five to six ounces.
- When using soda as a mixer, allocate anywhere from a splash to five ounces per co*cktail.
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Party Planning:
- For a party with 10 guests, estimate each guest having around three drinks.
- Calculate the liquor requirement based on the number of shots per bottle.
- Factor in mixer quantities: two cups of syrups, two cups of juice, and 180 ounces of soda for a single co*cktail.
By understanding these fundamental concepts, you can confidently plan and execute a well-provisioned bar for any gathering, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience for both yourself and your guests.
