We’ve all been there. You’re staring at a cocktail recipe that calls for "ounces," but your jigger only shows "milliliters." Or maybe you’re trying to calculate exactly how much tequila you need to buy for a weekend party of 20 people. Do you need a "fifth" or should you just grab a "handle"?
At Keg N Bottle, we know that doing math is the last thing you want to do when you’re trying to mix a drink or throw a great party.
To save you the headache, we’ve put together this bartender’s cheat sheet to liquid measurements. Whether you are stocking your home bar or buying in bulk, here is everything you need to know about liquor bottle sizes.
The Bottom Line: Quick Liquor Size Cheat Sheet
Don’t want to read the whole guide? We get it. Here is the quick-reference table for the most common liquor bottle sizes you’ll find on our shelves:
| Bottle Name | Volume in Milliliters (ML) | Volume in Ounces (Oz) | Number of Standard Shots (1.5 oz) |
| Mini / Nip | 50 ml | 1.7 oz | 1 |
| Half-Pint | 200 ml | 6.8 oz | 4.5 |
| Pint | 375 ml | 12.7 oz | 8.5 |
| Standard / "A Fifth" | 750 ml | 25.4 oz | 16 |
| Liter | 1,000 ml | 33.8 oz | 22 |
| Magnum | 1,500 ml | 50.7 oz | 33 |
| A Handle | 1,750 ml | 59.2 oz | 39 |
What is a "Fifth" of Liquor? (750 ML)
When you walk into Keg N Bottle or browse our online store, the vast majority of the wine and spirits you see are "fifths.
The Conversion:
- 1 Fifth = 750 ml
- 1 Fifth = 25.4 fluid ounces
- 1 Fifth = Roughly 16 standard (1.5 oz) shots.
Why is it called a fifth? Back in the late 19th century, standard liquor bottles in the United States were a full quart (32 ounces). However, to skirt certain tax laws, merchants started selling bottles that were exactly one-fifth of a gallon (25.6 ounces). The name stuck. Today, the U.S. uses the metric system for alcohol, so a "fifth" is technically 750 milliliters, but we still use the classic nickname.
What is a "Handle" of Liquor? (1.75 L)
If you are throwing a tailgate, hosting a wedding, or just stocking up on your favorite everyday sipper, the handle is your best friend. It gets its name simply because these heavy bottles usually have a glass or plastic handle built into the side to make pouring easier.
The Conversion:
- 1 Handle = 1.75 Liters (1,750 ml)
- 1 Handle = 59.2 fluid ounces
- 1 Handle = Roughly 39 standard (1.5 oz) shots.
The Keg N Bottle Tip: A handle is equal to exactly two and a third "fifths." If you are making batch cocktails like margaritas or punch, buying a handle is almost always more cost-effective.
Pints vs. Half-Pints
The terminology for smaller bottles can be a little confusing because a "liquor pint" is different from a "beer pint."
If you order a pint of beer at a pub in the U.S., you are getting 16 fluid ounces. But if you buy a "pint" of liquor, you are buying a 375 ml bottle (which is actually 12.7 ounces).
- The Pint (375 ml / 12.7 oz): Often looks like a tall, slender flask. It yields about 8.5 shots.
- The Half-Pint (200 ml / 6.8 oz): The classic pocket-sized bottle. It yields about 4.5 shots.
The Mixologist’s Guide: Converting ML to Ounces
If you’re diving into craft cocktails, you’ll notice that European recipes use milliliters, while American recipes use ounces. A standard U.S. shot is 1.5 ounces, which equals 44.3 ml (usually rounded to 45 ml by bartenders).
Here is a quick conversion guide for your jigger:
- 0.25 oz = 7.5 ml (a heavy dash)
- 0.50 oz = 15 ml (standard for syrups and citrus)
- 0.75 oz = 22.5 ml
- 1.00 oz = 30 ml (a standard "pony" shot)
- 1.50 oz = 45 ml (a standard U.S. shot)
- 2.00 oz = 60 ml (standard liquor pour for a neat drink or Old Fashioned)
Ready to Mix?
Now that you're a master of liquid measurements, the only thing left to do is put that knowledge to work. Whether you just need a pint of whiskey for a camping trip or five handles of vodka for a massive bash, Keg N Bottle has you covered with a massive selection and nationwide shipping.
Shop the entire Keg N Bottle collection here!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many ml are in an ounce?
There are exactly 29.573 milliliters in one U.S. fluid ounce. For easy bartending math, most people round this up to 30 ml per ounce.
Is a handle the same as a half-gallon?
Not quite, though they are often confused! A handle of liquor is 1.75 Liters (59.2 ounces). A true U.S. half-gallon is 64 ounces (roughly 1.89 Liters). So, a handle is just slightly shy of a true half-gallon.
How many drinks can you get out of a 750ml bottle?
Assuming you are pouring standard 1.5-ounce shots, you will get exactly 16 drinks out of a standard 750ml bottle (a fifth).
What is a "Magnum" bottle?
A magnum is a 1.5-Liter bottle (1,500 ml). It is exactly double the size of a standard 750ml bottle. This size is incredibly popular in the wine and champagne world for celebrations.