Shot glasses

Start with the capacity. A classic shot is 3 to 4 cl. That’s the size of a Boston shot glass and most bar models. If you want room for ice or are making layered shots, go for 5 to 6.5 cl. Above 7 cl, you’re really talking about a liqueur glass. You sip from that rather than drinking it in one go. For a hot or layered shot, a taller, narrow model is handy. The layers stay more visible in it.

Next, look at the glass. Thick bar models with a heavy base are the obvious choice if the glasses are set down hard on the table and washed often. A thinner or cut glass is better for a good grappa or eau de vie, which you hold in your hand a little longer. If you pour to precise measures, a jigger with measurement markings is more precise than the shot glass itself.

Chill the glass along with the drink. Vodka, aquavit, and herbal bitters are at their best when both the glass and the bottle come out of the freezer. The glass fogs up, the drink becomes syrupy, and the alcohol has less bite. Be sure to put such an ice-cold glass on a coaster, though, or condensation will run onto the table.

If you're making a layered shot like B52 with Baileys, pour each layer slowly over the back of a spoon. This keeps the lighter drink floating on top of the heavier one. Shake a shot, such as a kamikaze, strain it from the shaker so no ice chips end up in the glass. Need to serve a whole table at once? Line up all the glasses, fill them in one go, and garnish them afterward. Allow about half a bottle for twelve 3 cl shots. That way, you'll know in advance how much you need.

Most bar glasses are made of tempered glass. That doesn’t make them unbreakable, though. They can better withstand knocks and the temperature difference between the freezer and hot rinse water. So never hold a frozen glass under a hot tap right away. Even tempered glass can shatter from that shock.

All the shot glasses here are dishwasher-safe. Just be careful when stacking them. Shot glasses fit snugly inside each other, create a vacuum, and are rarely easy to separate without breaking. So place them upright and separately in the rack. If they turn cloudy over time, that’s limescale. Wash them by hand once with a little vinegar, and they’ll shine again.

If you're looking for a glass for jenever or a traditional Dutch aperitif, you're better off with aperitif glasses. If you'd like to know what to pour in them, you'll find all the recipes together on the shotspage. You can find all the tools, from strainer to measuring cup, among the cocktail shakers. And if you're looking for a larger glass for spirits on the rocks, then tumblers are a better choice.