Your Favorite co*cktails, Ranked by How Many Shots They Contain (2024)

It’s easy to know what you’re getting when you buy a shot. A co*cktail, on the other hand, isn’t so forthcoming with its boozy contents. With bubbly sodas, sweet syrups and fresh juices all complicating the flavors of the base spirit, it’s difficult to know exactly what you’re buying, especially when paying upwards of $20 at some high-end establishments. To set the record straight, here’s exactly how many shots of booze are in each classic co*cktail, ranked from least to most alcoholic.

1 oz vodka + 1 oz coffee liqueur = 1.33 shots

While you can choose your own White Russian adventure by adding your favorite coffee liqueur, most of the boozy caffeinated mixers are around 25 percent ABV—which makes the creamy drink comparatively light.

1.5 oz vodka + .5 oz Cointreau = 1.33 shots

Unlike other orange liqueurs that are diluted as they’re sweetened, Cointreau is a full-proof liqueur at 40 percent ABV. So that “girly” Cosmo actually has more booze than other drinks in its weight class.

2 oz vodka = 1.33 shots

With a simple recipe of two ounces of vodka topped with OJ, the Screwdriver is actually fairly blunt with its boozy flavor. Be sure to use fresh juice and quality vodka for an enjoyable experience.

2 oz vodka = 1.33 shots

There are a lot of ingredients required to make a good Bloody Mary, but you only need a solid two ounce slug of vodka when it comes to the booze.

2 oz gin = 1.33 shots

The straightforward G&T contains two ounces of booze, a touch more than your standard shot. But you’ll have to drink a lot of bubbly tonic to catch up with your shot-taking pals.

2 oz vodka = 1.33 shots

Like Highballs such as the Vodka Soda, a good Buck (or Mule) is based on a two-ounce spirit base. Get snazzy with your upgrades and toppings for the Moscow Mule, but don’t compromise on that boozy foundation.

2 oz rum = 1.33 shots

Swap the vodka in a Moscow Mule for rum, top it up with a bit more ginger beer, and you basically have a Dark ‘N’ Stormy. The two drinks are essentially equal in terms of boozy power, but they deliver the liquor in two very different, yet equally flavorful ways.

2 oz whiskey = 1.33 shots

The Old Fashioned never fails with its perfect balance of whiskey, sweet sugar and potent bitters. A two-ounce pour of the right whiskey (whether you prefer the classic rye or opt for sweet bourbon) is all you need to achieve co*cktail nirvana.

2 oz tequila = 1.33 shots

Like any other Sour, the Margarita works on a basic mix of base (tequila), sweet (agave syrup) and sour (lime juice). In the case of our Marg, there’s a bit more sour and a bit less sweet for a drier, more energetic co*cktail, But the standard two-ounce pour still anchors the drink.

2 oz whiskey + .25 oz absinthe = 1.5 shots

Thanks to the addition of potent absinthe, the Sazerac begins to tip the scale towards boozier co*cktails. The extra quarter ounce rinse on the glass really brings out the flavors of the anise-tinged spirit and provides the whiskey drink with a kick.

1.5 oz vodka + .5 oz peach schnapps + .5 oz Chambord = 1.66 shots

Unlike German “schnaps,” which is a full-proof spirit, American “schnapps” is a liqueur, which contains about 20 percent ABV—about the same amount as Chambord. Even without the orange and cranberry juices in the finished Sex on the Beach co*cktail, a double shot glass filled with the drink’s three spirits would deliver a shot that’s equally fruity and boozy.

1 oz gin + 1 oz Campari + 1 oz sweet vermouth = 2 shots

The Negroni doesn’t hold back on flavor or booze. The bitter sipper weighs in at two shots-worth of alcohol, but we doubt you’ll down the powerful (yet totally lovable) flavors too quickly.

2.5 oz gin + .5 oz dry vermouth = 2 shots

The Martini is basically an extremely dry, slightly velvety glass of booze. While dry vermouth usually clocks in at only about 17 percent ABV, most of the liquid in your glass is pure gin (or vodka, if you swing that way).

2 oz whiskey + 1 oz sweet vermouth = 2 shots

Don’t mess around with the Manhattan. Its easy drinkability belies its strength, which doubles the amount of booze in a standard shot. Bitters up the flavor, but it’s whiskey and vermouth that do the heavy lifting.

.75 oz vodka + .75 oz gin + .75 oz rum + .75 oz tequila + 1.5 oz triple sec = 3 shots

Long live the king of boozy dive bar co*cktails, the LIIT. Alongside lower-proof triple sec, this monster still contains two full shots of straight hard alcohol. Of course, it’s near the end of the list.

1.5 oz dark rum + 1.5 oz gold rum + 1 oz 151-proof rum + .25 oz absinthe + .5 oz falernum = 3.2 shots

You thought we were done at the Long Island, right? Not quite. The tiki classic Zombie takes a bite out of any drinker with more than three shots of liquor. The kicker is the full ounce of 151-proof rum that sends the Zombie over-the-top. There’s a reason many bars limit drinkers to two orders.

Your Favorite co*cktails, Ranked by How Many Shots They Contain (2024)

FAQs

How many shots should be in a co*cktail? ›

In general, most co*cktails contain between one and two shots of alcohol. However, there are some drinks that contain more than two shots, and there are also some that contain only a single shot. It all depends on the recipe. The size of the glass also plays a role in how many shots are in a co*cktail.

Which of these co*cktails contains the most alcohol? ›

Aunt Roberta

Considered to be the strongest co*cktail in the world, this drink contains 100% alcohol, with absolutely no mixers whatsoever. Gin, vodka, absinthe, brandy and blackberry liquor are mixed together in equal parts are used to create this lethal mix.

What is the No 1 co*cktail in the world? ›

Margarita

As the most ordered co*cktail in the world, the classic Margarita has been one of the most popular co*cktails in America for years and still remains on top. While there are many variations, the traditional recipe consists of tequila, Triple Sec and lime juice.

What are the 20 most popular co*cktails? ›

20 easy co*cktails to make at home
  1. Mojito. This refreshing mojito co*cktail screams summertime. ...
  2. Tom Collins. In our experience, simple recipes are usually the best. ...
  3. Sex on the beach. ...
  4. Piña colada. ...
  5. Classic negroni. ...
  6. Martini. ...
  7. Cosmopolitan. ...
  8. Whiskey sour.
May 19, 2022

How many shots of alcohol is enough? ›

Most people get intoxicated after taking three to four shots; this influence can happen more rapidly if the person involved is small in stature.

How many shots is a good amount? ›

An average person can get drunk after four to five shots of alcohol. Two or three shots can get you tipsy, while seven or more shots will leave you extremely drunk. However, alcohol has different alcohol content, and people have different alcohol toleration.

How many shots in a Margarita? ›

For a typical Margarita there is one shot, or 1.5 oz of tequila per glass.

How much alcohol is in most co*cktails? ›

A standard shot, like a standard co*cktail, is 1.5 ounces of liquor.

What is the average alcohol content of a co*cktail? ›

co*cktails. When it comes to mixed drinks, the average abv (alcohol by volume) is generally between 10 and 15 percent. This range covers most co*cktails, from classic drinks like the Margarita or Daiquiri, to modern favorites like the Cosmopolitan or Appletini.

What is the 2 most popular drink in the world? ›

Tea is the second‑most‑consumed drink in the world, after water.

What is the number one drink in America? ›

The most popular drink in America is sold at a 4000 percent markup and is responsible for tens of millions of discarded containers each day: bottled water.

What are the 6 classic co*cktails? ›

They are the Old Fashioned, Martini, Daiquiri, Sidecar, Whiskey Highball, and Flip. In each drink, every ingredient falls into at least one category.

What is the most popular co*cktail in the US? ›

The #1 Most Popular co*cktail in America Right Now, According to New Data
  • Mai Tai – 160,000 searches.
  • Long Island Iced Tea – 167,000 searches.
  • Negroni – 179,000 searches.
  • p*rnstar Martini – 182,000 searches.
  • Cosmopolitan – 189,000 searches.
  • Mimosa – 199,000 searches.
  • Mojito – 234,000 searches.
  • Margarita – 258,000 searches.
Dec 23, 2021

What is the most ordered co*cktail? ›

We've created this informative guide to provide you with interesting facts on the 10 most popular co*cktails and how to prepare each beverage.
  • Old Fashioned. The Old Fashioned was invented by James E. Pepper in 1880. ...
  • Moscow Mule. ...
  • Negroni. ...
  • Mojito. ...
  • Whiskey Sour. ...
  • Daiquiri. ...
  • Margarita. ...
  • Mai Tai.

Is 12 shots enough to get drunk? ›

For getting a little drunk, three shots of vodka are enough. If you continue to drink up to 8 to 9 shots, that's when they start getting more drunk. The upper cap for men is ten shots of vodka. Exceeding this, they will be extremely drunk.

How many shots is 4 oz of alcohol? ›

A double shot usually contains 3 to 4 ounces of liquor. Since there is no standard size for a shot glass, there is also no standard measurement for a double shot. More American bars would consider a shot to be 1.5 oz., making a double shot 3 oz.

How many shots is 8 oz of liquor? ›

The 8oz is also a popular choice when it come to getting the most amount of shots as this flask provides around 9 shots of alcohol.

Is 2 shots of vodka a lot? ›

Generally speaking, most people become noticeably tipsy after consuming two shots of vodka (1.5 ounces). To reach a BAC of 0.08%, which is the legal limit, it typically takes about five shots for an average-sized man and three to four shots for an average-sized woman.

How many average drinks are in a shot? ›

One Standard Drink Equals: 341 ml (12 oz) bottle of 5% alcohol beer, cider or cooler. 43 ml (1.5 oz) shot of 40% hard liquor (vodka, rum, whisky, gin etc.)

Is 2 shots too much? ›

The general range of shots that get people drunk is two to three. But, depending on how fast they drink and factors like weight, age, sex, and stomach content, people can be intoxicated with just one shot or more than three.

How many shots does a mojito have? ›

A mojito typically contains two ounces of white rum, one ounce of simple syrup, two ounces of freshly squeezed lime juice, and four to six ounces of club soda. Depending on the size of the glass and the amount of ice used, a mojito can contain anywhere from one to two shots of alcohol.

Is 3 shots of tequila enough? ›

Generally, it takes two to three standard shots of tequila, consumed within an hour, for an average person to be drunk. If they weigh 100-150 lbs, two to three shots may be enough to go beyond 0.08%.

How many shots are in a tequila? ›

About 16 shots. A standard shot size is 44 mL (1.5 fluid ounces). A regular sized tequila bottle is about 700 mL. Together this means there's about 16 shots in a typical bottle of tequila.

How many count is a shot? ›

As you pour, count to four (yes, with “Mississippi”), and stop. Each “count” should equal about ½ ounce of alcohol. With a bit of practice, what ends up in your glass should fill the 2-ounce side of a jigger. A perfect standard pour.

How many drinks is a standard co*cktail? ›

Depending on the recipe, you can have one, two, or more "standard drinks" (also known as alcoholic drink equivalents) in one co*cktail or mixed drink. Click on the beverages below to see the results for some popular recipes from bartender's guides.

How many co*cktails would get you drunk? ›

If a person has generally consumed two to three drinks as a man or one to two drinks as a woman in an hour, they'll enter the euphoric stage of intoxication. Some symptoms include: an increase in chattiness and confidence.

What is the standard co*cktail ratio? ›

Almost all the classic drinks you know and love, from the Daiquiri to the Gimlet or the Margarita come down to the same basic ratio: 2:1:1. That's two parts spirit, one part sweet, and one part sour, commonly known as the Golden Ratio.

How many drinks should a co*cktail bar have? ›

Although there's no established number of drinks to include, it's generally good to have at least eight to twelve different wine, beer, and co*cktail options. Keep in mind, this number can vary depending on a number of factors, such as which alcohol category bars choose to focus on.

How much co*cktail is too much? ›

What is excessive drinking? Excessive drinking includes binge drinking, heavy drinking, and any drinking by pregnant women or people younger than age 21. For women, 4 or more drinks during a single occasion. For men, 5 or more drinks during a single occasion.

What are the top 3 drinks in the world? ›

What are the top 5 most consumed beverages in the world?
  • Coffee. Consumed by many as they begin their day, and several more times during the day, this rich, fragrant beverage is hands down the world's most favorite beverage. ...
  • Tea. ...
  • Beer. ...
  • Milk. ...
  • Orange Juice. ...
  • Wine. ...
  • Soft Drinks. ...
  • Vodka.

What's the hardest alcohol to drink? ›

Here are 12 of the strongest liquors in the world.
  1. Polmos Spirytus Rektyfikowany Vodka. Proof: 192 (96% alcohol by volume) ...
  2. Everclear 190. Proof: 190 (95% alcohol by volume) ...
  3. Golden Grain 190. ...
  4. Hapsburg Absinthe XC. ...
  5. Balkan 176 Vodka. ...
  6. Sunset Very Strong Rum. ...
  7. Stroh 160 Rum. ...
  8. Devil's Springs Vodka 160.
Jul 29, 2022

What is the number 1 Starbucks drink? ›

Caramel Frappuccino

According to a Mashed poll, 28% of voters selected caramel as the best Starbucks Frappuccino flavor. Ingredients for the Caramel Frappuccino include ice, whole milk, Frappuccino roast, caramel syrup, caramel drizzle, and whipped cream.

What is America's national drink? ›

Bourbon (whiskey), named for Bourbon County, Kentucky, is a corn whiskey aged in charred oak barrels. It was proclaimed the U.S. National Spirit by an act of Congress in 1964.

What is the drunkest country in the world? ›

People from Australia are getting wasted at a much higher frequency than the rest of the world, according to a global drug survey. The world's largest annual drug survey has ranked Australia as the drunkest country on the planet, with Australians getting sh*tfaced almost twice as frequently as the global average.

What drink is the USA known for? ›

Coca Cola is one of the most famous American drinks around the world.

What are the 4 main co*cktails? ›

In an attempt to demystify the always delightful but often murky path to co*cktail enlightenment, we present four basic co*cktail categories: sours, fizzes, Old-Fashioneds and three-parters.

What are the 5 types of co*cktails? ›

Once you know the standard builds, you can experiment at home to create novel and delicious drinks!
  • Stirred co*cktails. ...
  • Sours. ...
  • Highballs. ...
  • Flips, Fizzes, Swizzles, and Smashes.

What are the 4 elements of a co*cktail? ›

The key to delicious co*cktails is balance. In early 19th century definitions, co*cktails are said to comprise four elements: spirits, sugar, water and bitters. Classic co*cktails like the Sazerac, Old Fashioned and Manhattan draw from this essential structure.

What co*cktails are trending? ›

'90s Drinks Are Back—and More co*cktail Trends for 2023, According to Bartenders
  • Homemade Whiskey Sour co*cktail Drink with a Cherry Lemon. ...
  • espresso martini co*cktail on white table. ...
  • vodka gimlet co*cktail recipe. ...
  • 2 glasses of martini served with olives and lemon on a rustic grey worktop. ...
  • meyer lemon drop martini.
Jan 3, 2023

What is a perfect co*cktail? ›

: a co*cktail consisting of equal parts of French vermouth, Italian vermouth, and gin shaken with ice and strained before serving.

What is the oldest co*cktail? ›

Therefore the Sazerac co*cktail created by Peychaud, is known as the oldest co*cktail in America. Legend has it that Peychaud coined the word co*cktail, which created the structural medicinal tincture called a co*cktail, and the co*cktail we know today as the Sazerac.

How do I choose a good co*cktail? ›

How to Pick a co*cktail That You'll Truly Love
  1. Ask for a menu. ...
  2. Don't let price dictate your choice. ...
  3. Ask for recommendations. ...
  4. Find a go-to spirit, or two. ...
  5. Figure out a flavor profile you enjoy. ...
  6. Don't be afraid to ask what something is. ...
  7. Savor it. ...
  8. Mix it up.
Jul 12, 2019

How much alcohol should go in a co*cktail? ›

The average pour for most drinks is between 1 1/2 and 2 ounces. While every recipe will be different, a co*cktail will typically call for 1 1/2 ounces of the base liquor (vodka, gin, whiskey, rum, etc.) and some recipes call for a full 2 ounces.

How much alcohol is in a typical co*cktail? ›

A standard shot, like a standard co*cktail, is 1.5 ounces of liquor.

How much alcohol is in a normal co*cktail? ›

1.5 ounces of distilled spirits, which is about 40% alcohol.

What is a normal shot size? ›

While there is no federally-mandated shot-glass size, many U.S. bartenders consider a standard volume to be 1.5 ounces, or 44 milliliters. (For what it's worth, Utah is the only state that has officially defined a shot measurement—and it's 1.5 ounces.)

What does 2 for 1 co*cktails mean? ›

Everyone has their signature drink.

So, whether you are a Classic Negroni or a Bubblegum Daiquiri lover, our new 2-for-1 co*cktail offer means that you and a friend can indulge yourselves at half the price.

How do you calculate co*cktails? ›

Calculating co*cktail Alcohol Content

To get the alcohol percentage just multiply the volume of the alcohol, 45 ml in this case, by the alcohol content (ABV) as a percentage i.e. 40% you multiply by 0.4 and 35% by 0.35 and 20% by 0.2, etc. Then divide this number by the total volume of the drink.

What is 1 measure in a co*cktail? ›

But rounding is common with these types of conversions, so in this case 1 oz is equal to 30 ml — and both are very common measurements for co*cktails.
...
2. Measuring a “Shot”
Type of ShotU.S. ImperialMetric
Standard Shot1½ oz50 ml
Short Shot1 oz30 ml
Half Shot¾ oz25 ml
Small Shot½ oz15 ml
1 more row
Aug 20, 2021

How many shots of vodka are in a co*cktail? ›

2 oz vodka = 1.33 shots

Like Highballs such as the Vodka Soda, a good Buck (or Mule) is based on a two-ounce spirit base.

How much is a single shot? ›

Single Shot: A single shot contains 1.5 ounces or 44 milliliters of liquor. This is the standard shot size in the United States and most other countries.

How many co*cktails can you drink before getting drunk? ›

Generally speaking, you'll need to drink three or four co*cktails to start feeling the effects of alcohol. If you're trying to get drunk quickly, you can always drink more. Just be sure to pace yourself and drink plenty of water to avoid a hangover the next day. A shot of liquor is typically served in a co*cktail.

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