17 Shots And A History Lesson: What Is A Fifth Of Liquor And Why Is 750ml The Global Standard?

The "fifth of liquor" is one of the most common and enduring terms in the world of spirits, yet its exact meaning and measurement are often misunderstood by the average consumer. As of December 2025, a fifth of liquor is the universally recognized term for the standard 750-milliliter (ml) bottle, which is the most common size you will find for everything from premium whiskey and vodka to rum and gin on shelves globally. This size is not a random number; it is a direct nod to a historical measurement that dictates everything from your party planning to the price-per-ounce value you get.

This bottle size, equivalent to approximately 25.4 fluid ounces (fl oz), holds a significant place in beverage history, serving as the benchmark for retail pricing and consumer quantity expectations. While the liquor industry constantly evolves—with new products, brands, and even regulatory changes like the expanded size allowances announced by the TTB for 2025—the 750ml "fifth" remains the unshakeable foundation of the spirits market. Understanding this single size unlocks a deeper appreciation for how liquor is bottled, sold, and consumed worldwide.

The Definitive Guide to the Liquor "Fifth" (750ml) and Its History

The term "fifth" is a historical relic from the pre-metric era of the United States, which is why it persists today despite the global adoption of the metric system.

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The Original Measurement: One-Fifth of a Gallon

• The US Gallon Standard: The name "fifth" originated because the bottle size was precisely one-fifth (⅕) of a US liquid gallon.
• The Exact Volume: One US liquid gallon is 128 fluid ounces. Therefore, one-fifth of a gallon is 25.6 fluid ounces. This was the traditional volume of a standard liquor bottle in the US for decades.

The Metric Transition and the "Metric Fifth"

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the United States beverage industry transitioned to the metric system to align with international standards and simplify trade.

The new standard size chosen by the U.S. government was 750 milliliters (ml). This metric volume was selected because it was the closest practical size to the traditional 25.6 oz "fifth," making the transition smooth for consumers who were already accustomed to the bottle’s physical size.

• Current Metric Size: 750 ml
• Current Fluid Ounces (Approx): 25.4 fl oz
• Difference: The 750ml bottle is only slightly smaller than the original 25.6 oz fifth, which is why the old name stuck.

How Many Shots Are in a Fifth? The True Serving Count

Knowing the precise volume of a fifth is essential for budgeting, party planning, and responsible consumption. The number of servings you get depends entirely on the size of a standard pour, also known as a shot.

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Calculating Standard Shots

In the United States, a standard single serving of distilled spirits (a shot) is generally recognized as 1.5 fluid ounces.

Using the 25.4 fl oz volume of a 750ml fifth, the calculation is straightforward:

25.4 fl oz (in a fifth) / 1.5 fl oz (per shot) = 16.93 shots

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Therefore, a fifth of liquor contains:

• Standard Shots: Approximately 16 to 17 standard 1.5-ounce shots.
• Cocktails: Roughly 16 cocktails, assuming a standard pour of 1.5 oz of the base spirit.
• Standard Drinks: 17 standard drinks (based on the US standard of 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol per drink).

Fifth vs. The Competition: Value and the New 2025 TTB Regulations

While the fifth is the standard, it is not always the best value for your money. Moreover, recent regulatory changes mean consumers may see a greater variety of bottle sizes on the shelf, though the 750ml size remains central.

The Value Comparison: Fifth vs. The Handle

For high-volume consumers or those stocking a home bar, the most common comparison is between the 750ml "fifth" and the 1.75-liter bottle, often called a "handle" (due to the handle on the bottle).

The 1.75L bottle contains 59.2 fl oz, which is equivalent to 2.33 fifths.

• Cost Efficiency: The 1.75L "handle" nearly always offers a better value. Consumers can typically save anywhere from 15% to 30% per ounce by purchasing the larger size instead of buying two or three 750ml bottles.
• Convenience: The fifth is preferred for portability, gift-giving, or when trying a new, more expensive spirit, where the upfront cost of a handle is prohibitive.

The TTB's New 2025 Size Allowances

In a significant update to beverage alcohol regulations, the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) announced new container size allowances for distilled spirits, scheduled to take effect in January 2025.

This rule does not eliminate the 750ml fifth; rather, it expands the options available to producers and consumers, allowing for greater flexibility and new market choices.

The 750ml size remains the globally accepted "standard of fill" for spirits, but the new rules give distillers more room to experiment with intermediate sizes, potentially leading to new, consumer-friendly volumes for limited-edition or premium products.

A Full List of Standard Liquor Bottle Sizes (ML & OZ)

The "fifth" is just one part of a comprehensive system of measurements used in the spirits industry. Here is a full list of the most common bottle sizes you will encounter, from the smallest mini to the largest magnum.

• Nip or Miniature (Mini):
  • Volume: 50 ml
  • Ounces: 1.7 oz
  • Shots: ~1
• Half Pint (Travel Size):
  • Volume: 200 ml
  • Ounces: 6.8 oz
  • Shots: ~4
• Pint:
  • Volume: 375 ml
  • Ounces: 12.7 oz
  • Shots: ~8
• Fifth (The Standard):
  • Volume: 750 ml
  • Ounces: 25.4 oz
  • Shots: ~17
• Liter:
  • Volume: 1,000 ml (1L)
  • Ounces: 33.8 oz
  • Shots: ~22
• Handle or Magnum:
  • Volume: 1,750 ml (1.75L)
  • Ounces: 59.2 oz
  • Shots: ~39

The 750ml "fifth" is more than just a bottle size; it is the commercial and historical anchor of the distilled spirits world. It represents the perfect balance of volume for a standard purchase, providing nearly 17 shots of your favorite spirit while maintaining a manageable price point and portability. Whether you are a casual drinker or a seasoned connoisseur, the fifth remains the universal language of liquor, a metric standard with an American heritage.