How Many Tablespoons in a Shot (Easy Conversions)

If you’re someone who enjoys mixing drinks or cooking, you may have come across recipes that require a specific amount of liquid measured in tablespoons or shot glasses. As you read through the instructions, you’re probably wondering how many tablespoons fit in a shot glass. 

How many tablespoons in a shot glass?

A shot glass is a common measuring unit for alcoholic beverages, but it may not be as familiar a unit of measurement as the tablespoon. A shot glass is 3 tablespoons. 

In this blog, we will explain the conversion between tablespoons and shot glasses so that you can use both units of measurement with ease and accuracy.

How Big Is a Shot Glass? 

When it comes to drinking, the world has a wide range of vessels and serving sizes. From pint glasses to wine goblets, the size of glassware can vary quite a bit depending on the drink being served. 

But when it comes to shots, most people turn to a small, specialized glass known as the shot glass. Even if you’re not a seasoned drinker, you’ve likely seen these little glasses around, but have you ever stopped to wonder just how big they are? 

To start, let’s go back in time to the origins of the shot glass. While it’s unclear exactly when and where these tiny glasses first originated, some historians believe that they can be traced back to the early 1700s in Europe. 

At the time, they were likely used as a means of measuring out medicinal tonics and other liquids. The name “shot” may have come from the fact that they were often used to serve small amounts of gunpowder or shot.

Today, shot glasses come in many different shapes and sizes, but most adhere to a standard size range. In the United States, a standard shot of liquor is typically considered to be 1.5 ounces, though some bars and individuals may use larger or smaller measures. 

Therefore, many shot glasses hold precisely this amount of liquid – 1.5 ounces. If you were to fill one of these glasses all the way to the brim, that’s how much liquid it would hold.

But what about other countries? In many parts of the world, shot sizes can vary significantly. In the United Kingdom, for example, a shot is often considered to be only 1 ounce. In Japan, it’s not uncommon to see shots that hold 2-3 ounces of liquid. 

Part of this comes down to cultural differences – in some countries, shots are meant to be enjoyed slowly and sipped, while in others, they are downed quickly for the effect they provide.

When it comes to the size of shot glasses themselves, there is no hard and fast rule that dictates how big they must be. However, most shot glasses fall within a similar size range. 

Generally speaking, shot glasses hold between 1 and 2 ounces of liquid, though some may be slightly smaller or larger. Their size is typically dictated by their shape and design, which often include a narrow base, wide rim, and simple, minimalist design.

How Many Tablespoons in a Shot Glass?

A regular shot glass is designed to hold 1.5 fluid ounces of liquid, which is equal to 3 tablespoons. Because tablespoons are a larger unit of measurement, it takes multiple tablespoons to equal one shot glass. 

However, if your shot glass is not this standard size, it can hold more liquid than 3 tablespoons. 

A cup is 8 fluid ounces, so it will be the equivalent of four 2-ounce shot glasses or 5 and a quarter 1.5-ounce shot glasses. 

While we already know that 3 tablespoons are in one shot glass, let’s take a look at other conversions to understand how many tablespoons are equal to different amounts of liquid measured in shot glasses.

When it comes to cooking and baking, measuring ingredients accurately is critical to achieving consistent results. Some recipes call for a small amount, such as a tablespoon or two, which can be measured using a shot glass. 

Meanwhile, some recipes call for more substantial amounts, such as half a cup of liquor, which would require a more significant measuring cup. In this case, to convert half a cup of liquor to tablespoons, you’ll need to multiply by 8 to get 16 tablespoons.

Using a shot glass to measure ingredients can be a convenient option, particularly if you don’t have any other measuring tools at hand. However, keep in mind that converting measurements between different units can sometimes create confusion and inaccurate measurements. 

How many tablespoons in a shot then?

For instance, some bartenders might pour based on their estimation of how many tablespoons fit in a shot glass rather than strictly measuring the liquid to be poured, leading to potentially changing the taste of the drink.

How to Use a Shot Glass in Place of Measuring Spoons

A shot glass can be a useful tool to replace measuring spoons in your kitchen. Here are some clever ways to use a shot glass to measure your ingredients.

1. Measure Out Your Liquids

A shot glass can be an excellent replacement for liquid measuring spoons since a shot glass is equivalent to 3 tablespoons. With its rounded shape, it can be used to measure out small amounts of liquids, such as vinegar, soy sauce, or olive oil. 

Its measurements are also etched on the side for easy reference. It’s easy to fill up with liquid, and you can easily pour out the liquid into your recipe without any spillage.

2. Measure Your Dry Ingredients

Using a shot glass for dry ingredients can be a time-saving hack. A shot glass can be used instead of tablespoons to measure out small quantities of dry ingredients, such as spices or herbs. 

For instance, to measure out a teaspoon of herbs, fill up your shot glass to the top and level it off with the edge of a knife. With just a few scoops of your shot glass, you can quickly measure out your dry ingredients without any hassle.

3. Create a Uniform Dessert Topping

Using a shot glass to measure out your dessert toppings can mean a consistent topping every time. It’s also an efficient way to measure out a small number of toppings, such as nuts or sprinkles, and ensure that each dessert looks uniform. 

Not only will it make the desserts look fabulous when presented on a plate, but it will also have everyone impressed.

5. Use It for Baking

Using a shot glass for baking can be a game-changer. You can use a shot glass to get small quantities of baking powder, soda, or yeast. A shot glass is also suitable for measuring butter, shortening, and other fats. 

Using a shot glass can help you avoid using too much baking powder or soda that could affect the taste of your finished product.

How to Get Easy Conversions Even Without Measuring Spoons

If you’re in the middle of baking and suddenly realize you don’t have any measuring spoons, don’t panic! There are several ways you can still get accurate measurements without them. 

Measuring spoons are essential to baking because a slight deviation can make or break your recipe. However, not having to measure spoons should not stop you from baking your favorite treats. 

Let’s take a look at some ways that you can measure without measuring spoons. 

1. Use Your Hands

Did you know that your hands can be used as a measuring tool? That’s right! Your hands are your best resource when it comes to measuring ingredients. This method is known as the “hand test.” Here is what you need to do: 

• For sugar, scoop and measure using your cupped hand. A cupped hand is equivalent to ⅔ of a cup.
• For flour, scoop and level the flour using your hand. One scoop is equivalent to about ¾ of a cup.
• For liquids, use your thumb as an indicator. A full thumb is equivalent to about one tablespoon.

2. Use a Regular Spoon

If you don’t have measuring spoons, you can use your regular spoon to measure the ingredients. Typically, one spoon is equivalent to 3 teaspoons. Using a regular spoon is a perfectly acceptable way of measuring ingredients without 

3. Use Your Teacup

A lot of older recipes call for teacups instead of measuring cups. One teacup is equivalent to about ¾ of a measuring cup. Therefore, if your recipe calls for one teacup of sugar, you can measure ¾ of a cup instead. 

However, keep in mind that teacups can vary in size, so be sure to use the same teacup for all measurements in the same recipe.

4. Use Your Digital Kitchen Scale

A digital scale is great for precise measurements in baking. Most recipes will provide the measurements for dry ingredients in both cups and grams. Just put your ingredient in a mixing bowl and place the bowl on the scale. 

Note the weight and use a conversion chart or an online calculator to convert the grams to cups or tablespoons.