Liquor Bottle Size by Name & Volume: What are the Different Sizes?

Do you know the size of your liquor bottles? The standard liquor bottle size is 750 ml, also known as a fifth (one-fifth of a gallon). Other standard sizes include 50 ml (miniature or a shot), 100 ml, 200 ml, 375 ml, 1 L, and 1.75 L.

liquor-bottle-sizes-What-are-the-different-sizes-of-liquor-bottles
Liquor bottle sizes: What are the different sizes of liquor bottles? (Photo by Paolo Bendandi on Unsplash)

It turns out there are some pretty standard liquor bottle size ranges that vary depending on the type of liquor. For example, a 750 ml bottle of wine is pretty common, while a typical vodka bottle is 1.75 liters. If you’re ever in the market for some new booze, or just curious about how your favorites stack up, read on for all the details!

For starters, liquor bottle sizes vary depending on the type of liquor. For example, gin bottles are typically 750 milliliters, while vodka bottles are usually 1 liter. The size of the liquor bottle also affects how much liquor is in each serving. A standard serving of liquor is 1.5 ounces, so a 750 ml bottle of gin contains 16 standard servings, while a 1-liter bottle of vodka contains approximately 23 servings. Furthermore, the size of the liquor bottle can affect the price. For example, a 1-liter bottle of vodka typically costs more than a 750 ml bottle of gin. Therefore, when choosing a liquor bottle size, it is important to consider the type of liquor, the number of servings, and the price. Jump immediately to FAQ section on liquor bottle sizes

Related: Hydro flask sizes, Coffee sizes, wine bottle sizes

Table of Content of the Liquor Bottles Size Chart

What are the different sizes of liquor bottles?

According to the common alcohol bottle sizing, alcohol is bottled in several different sizes worldwide. The most popular and sold alcohol bottle size in the world is 750ml. But apart from the most popular size, alcohol bottles are available in several other sizes.

The 50 ml bottle of liquor, also called a shot, is probably the smallest bottle you can often find in liquor stores. The next liquor bottle size in ascending order is 100 ml, mainly consumed by people who want to enjoy liquor without overdoing it.

If you want to drink liquor during a flight or travel by train or bus, then the 200 ml bottle can be the perfect solution. 375 ml, on the other hand, is an ideal size bottle of liquor that can help you relax at a party or celebration. 

Alcohol bottles are also in 500 ml, 1 L, 1.75 L and 3 L sizes. 

Liquor bottle size overview by how many shots
Liquor bottle size overview by how many shots (by The Spruce)

Liquor bottle size chart

Related : how much is a quart vs pint

Standard Liquor Bottle Sizing
NameCustomary unitsImperial unitsMetric units
Miniature or shot1.7 US fl oz1.8 imp fl oz50 mL
half pint6.8 US fl oz7.0 imp fl oz200 mL
Demi11.8 US fl oz12.3 imp fl oz350 mL
Shoulder11.8 US fl oz12.3 imp fl oz350 mL
Pinta12.34 US fl oz12.84 imp fl oz365 mL
Pint12.7 US fl oz13.2 imp fl oz375 mL
Half litre16.9 US fl. oz.17.6 Imp fl oz500 mL
European spirit bottle23.7 US fl oz1 imp pt700 mL
& 4.6 imp fl oz
Fifth25.4 US fl oz1 imp pt750 mL
& 6.4 imp fl oz
Litre33.8 US fl oz1 imp pt1 L
& 15.2 imp fl oz
Half gallon59.2 US fl oz3 imp pt1.75 L
& 1.6 imp fl oz
Texas Mickey101.4 US fl oz5 imp pt3.0 L
& 5.5 imp fl oz

Frequently asked questions on Liquor bottles

What is 1.75 l of liquor called?

The 1.75 L alcohol bottle is called an alcohol handle. It’s one of the most common sizes for alcohol around the US. A 1.75L bottle is equivalent to half gallon, and holds approximately 60 ounces. As for shots, a 1.75L bottle of liquor contains 39 1.5oz shots.

When pouring the bottle in small portions, you must be careful not to spill. If you do not have the necessary skills, you must practice until you learn to prepare cocktails and pour shots like a real pro.  

What is a 750ml bottle of liquor called?

A bottle of alcohol with a volume of 750 ml is called a quinta and contains approximately 25 oz.

This bottle appeared in the US and quickly became very popular because in the past, merchants were prohibited from selling bottles of alcohol larger than 750 m. They would be punished if they broke the law. Bottles of this size are called trade liters and are the size of a standard wine bottle. 

What is a 375ml bottle of liquor called?

Different names are used for 375ml bottles of alcohol in different parts of the world. For example, in the US it is called an American metric pint, in Canada it is called a Mickey, and in India, where there is a big difference in the names of different bottle sizes, it is called a pint.

You should also know that 375 ml is not a small amount of alcohol. It’s about 8 standard shots, each shot being roughly 45 ml.

What are the small bottles of liquor called?

The smallest alcohol bottles have different names around the world. For example, in the US and Scotland, small liquor bottles are pints or shooters and are just over an inch in size. In the rest of the world, they are called ship bottle size, airplane liquor bottle size, or liquor bottle size in the bus. This size of liquor bottle holds about 50ml or approximately 1.5oz.

These small bottles of alcohol can be good for your health. They raise good cholesterol levels and for women, they are the right size bottles for alcohol especially after breastfeeding. But if you systematically overdo it, you may get some kind of heart disease.

Systemic alcoholics prefer to buy alcohol from these smallest bottles because it is easier for them to hide it and take it to work, for example, or other places where it is prohibited.

Nips or shooters, as they are called in various places, are also often used as gifts or samples.

What size is a fifth of liquor?

A fifth means one bottle measuring 750 ml or approximately 25 ounces. This liquor bottle size is probably the most common in both the US and most parts of the world. The fifth bottle of liquor contains approximately 17 shots.

This size of liquor bottle is neither big nor small and thus it is quite preferred by customers. A fifth has been popularized so much since the 18th century when liquor makers realized that liquor was best stored in glass bottles. Back then, manufacturers only produced 750ml bottles, which largely contributed to the standardization of this alcohol bottle size.

It is not recommended to drink a fifth of alcohol a day, as the body cannot process this amount of alcohol and so it can harm you. 

What is the smallest size bottle of whiskey?

The smallest bottle of whiskey on the market is 50 ml. This is a bottle of alcohol that is very popular for use on cruise ships because you won’t get drunk from such a small bottle of whiskey, plus the taxes paid on small bottles are much lower than on large bottles, and the quality is just as good.

This whiskey bottle size became prominent during the prohibition of alcohol in the US between 1920 and 1933, called dry mode, because small bottles could be concealed on the body more easily than large ones.

Whiskey was created in the Middle Ages and since then until now, the sizes and shapes of whiskey bottles have changed many times between then and now.

Until the 18th century, whiskey has been transported in earthenware vessels and casks. Around the end of the 18th century, whiskey gradually began to be bottled in different-sized glass bottles.

Interesting fact: The world’s smallest existing whiskey bottles were produced by the Cumbrae Supply Company around Glasgow, containing only 1.3 ml of whiskey and recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records.  In Scotland, you can easily find such small bottles of whiskey in different types.  

How big is a Texas Mickey?

The word Texas Mickey originates from Canada and is the name given to the giant 3-liter bottles that may contain different types of alcohol such as vodka, rum, or Canadian whiskey. This is a very suitable bottle of alcohol for parties and celebrations because it is more profitable to buy one 3-liter bottle of alcohol than two 1.5-liter bottles. Pouring directly from the 3-liter bottle is not convenient. For this reason,  there will be a small pump to pour whiskey for almost any bottle of Texas Mickey that you buy.  After clearing the bottle you can display it in a prominent place in your house as a trophy:)

Important to note that it’s hard to find the Texas Mickey in the US even though Texas is in the US. The name is entirely Canadian.  

Liquor bottle sizes explained (video)

Liquor Bottles Standard Sizes by Abhay saxena

Conclusion

We hope this guide was useful to you. Whether you are planning a house party or for your use you will need to be informed about the different sizes of liquor bottles. This makes it much easier to buy the right liquor bottle size for each occasion and ensure enough for everyone. The important thing is to choose the size that best suits your needs. Go for the big bottle if you want to drink a lot in one sitting. If you want something to sip on over a longer period, opt for a smaller bottle. And remember, always drink responsibly!

Please use the comments section to ask any questions about liquor bottle sizing. Thanks for visiting!

Photo by Gabriella Clare Marino on Unsplash

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