1.5-ounce
Most single-mixer cocktails take 1.5-ounce liquor pours. Most single mixer cocktails are drinks every bartender should know, so there should be no confusion on amount with these.
What is a standard cocktail pour?
The average pour for most drinks is between 1 1/2 and 2 ounces. While every recipe will be different, a cocktail 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.
What count is a single pour?
A 1-ounce pour is 2 counts using a pour spout.
A good way to get there is using “one one-thousand” as a counting device. So you’ll free pour count “one one-thousand, two one-thousand,” and stop.
How long is a single pour?
Most bartenders use a standard “four count” to free-pour — a count of . . . 1 – 2 – 3 – 4. The “four count” is preferred because it breaks down so easily — “1” equals a quarter shot, “2” equals a half shot, on up to a full “4” count — which is the house pour, or one full shot.
What is the standard pour for 1 shot of liquor?
As a general rule, shots of liquor are 1 ½ ounces, while a “neat” pour (a spirit served solo in a tumbler) is slightly larger at two ounces. This two-ounce pour also applies to most single-spirit drinks ordered “on the rocks” (with ice) or “up” (stirred with ice to chill and dilute, then strained).
How long of a pour is one shot?
The answer comes down to a simple number 3. The magic of 3, or the 3 seconds taken to pour 1 shot (nip or serve) of alcohol via a traditional speed pourer!
| Time | Volume |
|---|---|
| .5 Second | 5 mL or ⅙ Oz |
| 1 Seconds | 10 mL or ⅓ Oz |
| 2 Seconds | 20 mL or ⅔ Oz |
| 3 Seconds | 30 mL or 1 Oz |
How many ounces is a neat pour?
two ounces
Neat drinks are about two ounces, not chilled, there are no extra ingredients (even ice) and no, you can’t order an Irish Car Bomb neat. Brandy and whiskey are the most popular spirits to drink neat. High-quality spirits of any kind are commonly enjoyed neat as well.
How do you measure ounces for a cocktail without a jigger?
Don’t have a jigger? No problem. If you really want to be precise when mixing a drink, use a measuring spoon—one tablespoon holds half an ounce. For larger volumes (two or more ounces), use a one-cup measuring cup—our favorites also have ounce measures.
How much bourbon do you pour?
Pouring and Smelling
A standard bourbon pour is the same as other whiskeys- 1.5 oz for a shot, 2 ounces for a neat pour or on the rocks, and 3 ounces for a double.
The units of measurement for cocktails
Have you ever searched for a cocktail recipe on the internet, and ended up with units you didn’t know? Don’t panic, we’ll take a look at what these different measurements correspond to, and give you a handy guide to converting them into units you’re more familiar with.
At this point, it is important to point out that one of the key factors in the success of a cocktail is to measure the quantity of the ingredients to be mixed correctly. Pour too much, or too little of any one element of the recipe, and you will get a completely different taste. The ability to pour the same amount each time to get identical cocktails is an essential quality of the bartender. It is also one of the reasons why we follow the instructions of the recipes, in order to keep a consistency in the result.
However, there are different ways of presenting the quantities to be used, the two main systems being the Metric and Imperial systems. So we decided to make a guide to help you find your way around, and to help you follow your recipes.
The Imperial System
The Imperial system is an archaic system of measurement, still used in only 3 countries in the world; Liberia, Myanmar and the United States of America. However, because cocktails and the associated culture originated in the United States, and are more prevalent there than anywhere else in the world, many recipes use this system of measurement. These quantities are different from their metric equivalents. It is therefore essential to know how they are measured next to each other to ensure you create the perfect cocktail.
1 ounce (fluid ounce) = 29.57 ml or 2.9 cl
From this information, it is easy to deduce the rest of the related measurements found in cocktail recipes; half ounces, quarter ounces, etc. and their conversions. It is important to note that in the United States, an ounce does not equal a shot (or a kick). In other parts of the world, a single pour (a shot) or a hit is a designated measurement, but in the United States, bars are free to define their own single and double pours. The national standard is that a single shot is 1.5 oz (44.3 ml or 4.4 cl) and a double shot is 2 oz (59.14 ml or 5.9 cl).
Drinks
The complex classification of cocktails has been a matter of debate among bartenders, barténders and mixologists since the birth of the modern art of cocktail making in the 19th century to the present day. There are different criteria for categorizing cocktails, the most common being: according to the alcoholic beverage used (rum, tequila, vodka, gin…), according to the way they are served (on the rocks, in a tumbler, in a pitcher…), according to the flavor (sweet cocktails, tropical or fruity cocktails, spicy cocktails…), etc. There is however a universal way of subdividing drinks into two groups: short drinks and long drinks.
Long drink
Long drinks or tumbler are all mixtures of alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks designed to be drunk slowly. This subtype of cocktail generally follows the same structure: two-thirds non-alcoholic beverage and one-third alcoholic beverage; in other words, a combination with alcohol, although this is not the only structure that exists among long drinks.
Short drink
Short drinks are mixtures of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages that are generally drunk more quickly, even in one gulp (like shots). They contain less liquid, although the ethyl volume is the same as in long drinks, i.e. what varies is the dose of non-alcoholic beverage (mixer), which may be less or none at all.
Cocktail families
Other typical classifications, although they may vary according to sources, are:
- Bomb cocktails, which are formed by dropping a shot glass with an alcoholic beverage into a larger glass with a non-alcoholic beverage. A classic bomb shot is the Jagerbomb.
- Flaming cocktails, which are ignited mainly by the visual effect of the flames, but also with certain alcohols can modify or enhance the flavor and add a roasted nuance to the cocktail. It is a very common presentation in flairtending. The flambeado technique should only be performed by an expert; there have been many accidents such as burns to the skin of bartenders and customers, and many bars prohibit this type of cocktails due to fire policies. One of the most famous flambéed cocktails is the Flaming Lamborghini, by arranging the glasses in a tower and setting them on fire.
- Fizz cocktails are characterized by being effervescent (including carbonated liquid), and by providing a citric (fruity acid) taste to the consumer, due to the addition of lime juice, lemon juice, grapefruit juice or orange juice.
- Frozen cocktails, i.e. Frozen Daiquiri, Frozen Caipirinha… not a family as such, but a different method of preparing cocktails (any or almost any cocktail) are prepared with crushed ice instead of cubed ice.
- Sour cocktails, which include a base spirit, lemon or lime juice and a sweetener, commonly sugar, triple dry, syrup, grenadine or pineapple juice.
- Tiki cocktails, cocktails of American origin, specifically from coastal California (although very much inspired by Hawaii and its culture). The star ingredient of this family is rum, accompanied by sweet and fruity flavors, although what stands out most is the colorfulness of the drink and the extravagant decoration of the glasses.
- Virgin cocktails (mocktails) are cocktails that do not contain alcohol, i.e., zero alcohol content. Some virgin cocktails are the San Francisco, the Arnold Palmer or the Nada Colada.