What is the standard pour for a shot in the United States?

The standard pour for a shot in the United States is 1.5 ounces. This measurement is widely recognized across bars and restaurants, making it the base quantity for alcoholic beverages served as shots. Understanding this standard is crucial for bartenders, as it helps maintain consistency in drink preparation and ensures that customers receive the correct amount of alcohol in their drinks, which is necessary for responsible service.

The use of 1.5 ounces as the standard also relates to the regulation of alcohol consumption, as it provides a measurable way to determine serving sizes. This standard is beneficial during cocktail creation as well, where recipes often call for shots of liquor; using the established 1.5 ounces allows bartenders to accurately follow drink recipes and yield the intended flavor profiles.

While some regions or establishments may have variations in pour sizes, 1.5 ounces remains the accepted norm in the broader context of American bartending practices.