The 9 Best Shot Glasses in 2022

Just as there are classy coupe glasses for craft cocktails and discerning rocks glasses for sipping whiskeys, there is quality glassware for shooting your spirits. Your shot glass collection shouldn't just be limited to trinkets you pick up from far-flung tourist shops. There are plenty of shot glasses available for a variety of styles and needs, from copper cups for mini Moscow Mules to sleek, vintage-inspired glasses.

Whatever your preferences, we've got you covered. Here, the best shot glasses for every celebratory occasion.

Best Overall: Ozeri Moderna Artisan Series Double-Wall Beverage and Espresso Shot Glasses

Courtesy of: Ozeri

Pros

Can be used for coffee
Great for frozen and hot drinks
Double-wall design

Cons

Delicate
Should be washed by hand

Thoughtfully designed, the Ozeri Moderna Beverage and Espresso shot glasses hold a dual purpose: a smart, patent-pending design suspends beverages with an inner wall, while a second outer wall keeps drinks safe from hand heat and gives the glass a contemporary aesthetic. This innovation makes the glass particularly well suited to both frozen drinks and for your morning espresso shots. Plus, hand-blown dimples on the side of the glass are made to fit hands comfortably.

These shot glasses, large enough to hold 2 ounces of liquid, are made with heat- and condensation-resistant borosilicate glass to protect the contents from outside temperatures. Microwave- and freezer-safe, the glasses can also be heated or cooled.

Best Tall: Orren Ellis Lasalle Shot Glasses

Pros

Durable
Dishwasher-safe

Cons

Not stackable
Glass is very thin

These shot glasses' tall, elongated design is modern and unfussy, with a generous 2.25-ounce capacity, built for multiple shots. The set comes with six glasses, each measuring 1.5 inches by 4.1 inches high. Plus, the dishwasher-safe glasses are both BPA- and lead-free. On the downside, because of the tall shape, they do not stack when storing.

Still, the glasses won't easily crack or knock over: They're constructed of sturdy, durable glass to withstand drops and hold up through repeated use. Outside of entertaining, these glasses also work well when serving more sophisticated liqueurs with dessert or coffee.

Best Splurge: Schott Zwiesel Tritan Pure Shot Glass

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

Dishwasher-safe
Chip-resistant
Elegant shape

Cons

Very delicate
Not a standard measurement

From Schott Zwiesel, one of the most regarded glassware brands, the elegantly designed Tritan Pure shot glass has a slightly wider bowl and an elongated profile compared with standard shot glasses. The slightly narrow top also allows complex aromas of spirits to shine.

Each shot glass is made in Germany from dishwasher-safe, chip-resistant glass. They all hold 3 ounces and measure 4 inches high. Take note that these glasses are somewhat thin, making them delicate and more prone to breakage.

Related: The Best Cocktail Glasses

Best Novelty: Uncommon Goods Himalayan Salt Tequila Glasses

Uncommon Goods

Pros

Salty finish adds flavor
Great conversation piece

Cons

Only good for agave spirits
Will degrade over time

Handcrafted from food-grade Himalayan salt, these shot glasses will give your tequila or mezcal a built-in salty finish. Note, however, that they are not dishwasher-safe, and if liquids are left in the glasses for extended periods of time, the salt will erode the glass.

These shot glasses, which come in a set of four, measure 3 inches by 1.25 inches and hold 1.2 ounces of liquid. Each glass is hand-carved in Pakistan by artisans and made with PET plastic, ceramic and acacia wood inserts to prevent leakage. And because the salt is naturally harvested, colors will range from rosy pink to pale white.

Best for Durability: JoyJolt City Heavy Base Shot Glasses

Pros

Durable with a weighted base
Dishwasher-safe

Cons

Thick glass
Does not stack

Arguably, one of the most satisfying parts of taking a shot is slamming down the glass. These JoyJolt shot glasses are designed for just that, with an extra-thick weighted base that prevents breakage and reduces spills—consider these glasses virtually unbreakable. The sophisticated design not only looks striking on a shelf but also feels sturdy in your hand.

In addition, the square-shaped shot glasses have a 2-ounce capacity, making them an excellent measuring tool for mixing cocktails. If you’re looking to save space, take caution that these glasses do not stack. Dishwasher-safe, each glass measures 1.75 inches by 2.5 inches.

Related: The Best Margarita Glasses

Best for Parties: Silipint Silicone Shot Glasses

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

Virtually unbreakable
Low-maintenance

Cons

Not easy to clean

Hosting for a crowd? These glasses serve up soiree-ready visuals, with tie-dye-hued green, rainbow, blue, orange, and clear patterned glasses. Not only do they offer party-ready colors (bonus: If multiple shots are on the docket, the colors can help guests avoid mixing up glasses), but these glasses are also made with durable silicone. Even so, they have a nice weight and structure to them.

Drop them, smash them, knock them over: These glasses are virtually indestructible—safe from even breaks, chips and fading. Aside from being unbreakable, the glasses are dishwasher-safe, microwave-safe and freezer-friendly. The glasses come in a set of six, and each holds 1.5 ounces.

Bring these on vacation, or pull them out when you know the drinks will be flowing.

Related: The Best Highball Glasses

Best Dispenser: Dnifo Six-Shot Glass Dispenser

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

Budget-friendly
Good for a crowd
Pours even shots

Cons

Plastic is not high-quality

Doling out shots for a crowd can get messy, and this shot dispenser system takes the spillage out of shot-pouring. Simply pour the liquid—whether it's a straight shot or a pre-mixed option—into the bowl at the top, and the dispenser will evenly pour the liquid across six shot glasses.

The dispenser is made with durable, food-grade plastic—far more durable than glass. Six 1.5-ounce shot glasses are included in the set. When you’re finished pouring, the entire unit flips upside down to hold the glasses, making for easy storage.

Try this with straight shots of agave spirits, or perhaps opt for more creative shooters.

Related: The Best Whiskey Glasses

Best Chilled: Viski Double-Walled Chilling Shot Glasses

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

Keeps drinks cold without dilution
Clean design

Cons

Require hand washing
Only for chilled beverages

A big draw of Viski’s take on the shot glass is the clean lines. The straight, modern design gives the glasses a sleek, elegant and elevated air to them—a big upgrade from standard bar room shot glasses.

But the real win here is the double-walled design: two walls are filled with a cooling gel to protect your drink from outside heat and keep it chilled without dilution. Keep them stored in your freezer, and when it’s time to shoot a spirit back, bring out the glasses and fill them up.

The glasses hold 3 ounces each and come in a set of two. The glasses require hand washing.

Best for Sipping: Valeways Mini Coupes

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

Small handle included
Design showcases aromas

Cons

Not ideal for party shots
Very small

Think of these glasses like a teeny, tiny version of a brandy snifter. Each glass is the size of a standard shot glass but has the signature arc and small handle of a high-end testing glass, allowing you to sniff, swirl and sip.

That handle will keep the heat of your hand away from the glass as you taste it, or if you so prefer, stabilize the glass as you shoot it back. Note that these are at least half the size of a standard tasting glass.

This glass is ideal if you’re sipping small quantities of finer spirits: think rum, Scotch, Cognac, or whisky. The lead-free glasses have a 1.75-ounce capacity and come in a set of six. They can be sent through the dishwasher, though washing by hand will extend the life of the glasses.

Related: The Best Bar Carts

Final Verdict

JoyJolt’s heavy-base shot glass (view at Amazon) will get you through late nights without a single break, while Ozeri’s beverage and espresso glass (view at Amazon) is the ideal vessel for shots, sipping spirits and more.

What to Look for in a Shot Glass

Size

Size is important when it comes to picking a shot glass. If you use your shot glass to measure out cocktail ingredients, order a glass that is either exactly 1 ounce or exactly 2 ounces to ensure proper measurements in your drink.

If you’re looking for a glass for shooting spirits with friends, any size of shot glass will do. If you use shot glasses to sip spirits, purchase at least a 3-ounce glass—it will give enough room in the glass for the spirits to breathe.

Durability

Any bartender knows there’s nothing worse than hearing the sound of shattering glass across a busy bar. With that in mind, look for a durable shot glass, preferably with thicker glass and a weighted bottom. You may even go as far as a Tritan or silicone glass.

On the flip side, if you’re looking for a shot glass with a specific purpose—maybe that’s sipping Scotch or Brandy—breakage likely isn’t as big of an issue.

Purpose

What exactly are you drinking, and in what scenario? If you’re sipping back party shots with friends, opt for a shot dispenser that serves many, or durable shot glasses that will withstand the night’s bumps and breaks.

If you’re looking for a glass to savor the nuances of a higher-end spirit, a glass with a thin lip is a necessity. If your shot glasses are generally reserved for serving digestifs or after-dinner sips, look for a glass with a high-end design.

FAQs

How do you clean and care for shot glasses?

Ensure your glasses last a long time by washing them immediately after use. Wash by hand or in the dishwasher, depending on the glass, and dry upside down. Polish for a shine.

How many ounces in a shot glass?

The standard shot glass holds 1 ounce of liquid, though there are plenty of shot glasses available that hold 1.5 ounces or more.

Can you use shot glasses for something other than spirits?

Yes! Use them to store toothpicks or martini picks; plus, they double as a great vessel for desserts.

Why Trust Liquor.com?

Kate Dingwall is an experienced spirits writer and glassware collector. She has been writing about the bar and spirits world for five years, including coverage on the subject of glassware. Through extensive research on these topics, Kate has tested out many shot glasses.

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