All About Shot Glasses

The shooter is a welcome guest at any party!

Clink your glasses and get the party started with shots all around.  Drinking shots from shot glasses is the perfect warm up for any special occasion. 

Barroom history

The history of the American shot glass began about 100 years ago.  Technically, shot glasses are defined as a small glass designed for drinking distilled spirits in small amounts.  As a rule, shot glasses should be no shorter than 1 ¾ inches and no taller than 3 inches, with a maximum volume of one to two ounces. 

Tried and true

True shot glasses don't have stems like champagne or wine glasses or handles like mugs or steins or feet like pilsners or snifter glasses.  Traditional shot glasses are round and made of glass, not metal or plastic.  Shot glasses usually taper outwards, the diameter being greatest at the top of the glass, however there are exceptions.  Some have no taper at all, while others have a base diameter greater than the top.

Variations abound

Today, many variations of the shot glass are common.  It's not uncommon to find shot glasses made out of metal, plastic, ceramic and other materials in a variety of styles and colors. 

Styles range from heavy round fluted shot glasses to square or handled shot glasses.  The popular taller shot glasses used today are often referred to as "shooters."  Other popular styles of shot glasses include:

Shot shell shot glasses.  Made from crystal, these shot glasses look exactly like a shotgun shell.

Ton shot glasses.  These shot glasses are 3 ½ inches tall and made to hold a larger amount of liquor.

Engraved shot glasses.  Personalized custom engraved shot glasses make popular gifts for groomsmen, birthdays, weddings, retirement, graduations, anniversaries, and more. 

Tequila shooter shot glass.   The solid, heavy tequila shooter is five inches tall and weighs just under a pound. 

Shot glass tray set.  The wood shot glass tray holder made with a rich mahogany finish holds six shot glasses until you're ready for them and turns with a twist of a brass knob.

Say "cheers" and get the party started with shots from your favorite shot glasses!

More information on glasses