The 10 Best Shot Glasses for 2023
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Upgrade your bar setup with one of these top-rated shot glasses, including our favorite, the JoyJolt 6-Pack Heavy Base Shot Glass Set.
Food & Wine / Kristin Kempa
Whether you’re organizing a backyard party, packing up the cooler for a tailgate, or simply looking to upgrade your home bar, a set of shot glasses is a must. But the type of shot glass you equip your setup with is as personal of choice as your favorite spirit.
The good news is there are a few best practices you can follow to help you make the best decision. Durable, heavy-weight shot glasses are ideal for any type of bar environment, both at home and in a restaurant. That’s why we love the JoyJolt Shot Glass Set, which offers affordability, practicality, and style all wrapped up in a high-quality shot glass. If you’re looking to elevate your space, you might want to invest in crystal, diamond-embellished shot glasses instead. If you’re a frequent host, you should skip the glass altogether and go for a silicone alternative, which is virtually unbreakable and reusable — which means you can finally ditch single-use plastic shot glasses next time you throw a celebration.
Backed by expert guidance and research, here is our list of the best shot glasses you can buy online for every occasion, starting with our top choice, the JoyJolt 6-Pack Heavy Base Shot Glass Set.
JoyJolt 6-Pack Heavy Base Shot Glass Set, 2-Ounce Shot Glasses
Best Overall
Affordable, practical, stylish, and sturdy — there’s a lot to love about the JoyJolt Shot Glass Set. With a solid, substantial base and a clean, classic design, no one would guess these glasses cost just about $2 each. Sold as a set of six, each asymmetrical glass is durable enough for everyday use and dishwasher-safe, so you won’t have to worry about cleaning each one individually. The design can be dressed up or down, so you can use them in a casual, home bar environment or for a party or event. Packed in a decorative box, you can even gift this shot glass set to someone who enjoys fine drinkware.
Price at time of publish: $11
Size: 2 ounces
Material: Glass
Glasses Per Set: 6
Gmark Shot Glass Set
Best Value
These heavy-duty shot glasses come in a set of 12, making each under $2 a piece. Made of high-quality, durable glass, the European-inspired design features a sturdy bottom base with a sleek body, adding a touch of style to any bar area. The biggest benefits are that they're dishwasher-safe and strong enough to withstand frequent use, so you can rest easy using them for a party or a hangout with friends. And though they’re designed for spirits like tequila, vodka, or rum, you can get creative with this set by using the glasses to serve hors d'oeuvres and desserts.
Price at time of publish: $21
Size: 2 ounces
Material: Glass
Glasses Per Set: 12
Waterford Lismore Diamond Shot Glass Set
Best Splurge
If you’re looking to splurge on a glassware set for yourself or a loved one, the Waterford Lismore Diamond Shot Glass Set is ideal. Sold as a set of four, each glass highlights the brand’s iconic diamond pattern and fine radiant crystal, which sparkles just right when light shines on it. Perfect for an upscale dinner party, the glass’ ultra-fine clarity will bring your spirits to life, accentuating the golden hues of spirits like rum or brandy. Because this set is part of Waterford’s Lismore collection, you can add different types of glassware and bar accessories to this shot glass set. Remember that due to the glass’ delicate nature, you’ll want to hand wash each one after use.
Price at time of publish: $160
Size: 2 ounces
Material: Glass
Glasses Per Set: 4
Dos Sueños Mexican Tequila Shot Glasses
Best Colorful
Add some color and style to your glassware collection with these Dos Sueños Mexican Tequila Shot Glasses. Marked by a traditional cobalt blue spiral with a solid blue rim, each one is handmade in Mexico. They’re individually blown from molten recycled glass, which is why they may vary slightly in size and show tiny bubbles within the glass that develop from the blowing process. Unlike other shot glasses, which may feature a lighter, thinner material, this set is well-built with a heavy-weight design. Part of a larger drinkware collection, start with these shot glasses for yourself or as a gift and then add on full-size glasses, drink pitchers, and other glass pieces to complete your setup.
Price at time of publish: $36
Size: 2 ounces
Material: Glass
Glasses Per Set: 6
Silipint Silicone Shot Glass Set
Best for Parties
Perfect for large events, tailgates, and backyard gatherings, the Silipint Silicone Shot Glass Set is a great alternative to single-use plastic shot glasses. They’re ideal for indoor and outdoor use, and you can take them anywhere, from a tailgate to a camping trip. With an easy-to-grip exterior and a non-slip bottom, each reusable shot glass is durable, virtually unbreakable, and can hold hot or cold liquids. They’re made of food-grade, platinum-cured silicone free of BPA, odors, and phthalates. The material is also shatterproof, dishwasher-safe, freezer-friendly, and microwave-safe, and it won’t crack, chip, dent, fade, or scratch with frequent use.
Price at time of publish: $29
Size: 1.5 ounces
Material: Silicone
Glasses Per Set: 6
Viski Double-Walled Chilling Shot Glasses
Best Chilled
With a double-walled glass design, the Viski Glacier Shot Glass chills shots to perfection without diluting the spirit’s flavor. The result is an ice-cold shot of your favorite alcohol in minutes, thanks to the proprietary cooling gel between these glasses’ double walls. From vodka to whiskey, these classic glasses are freezer-friendly and guarantee you won’t need ice or a cocktail shaker next time you’re looking to make a frosty shot. To maintain their condition, skip the dishwasher and hand wash them only.
Price at time of publish: $29
Size: 3 ounces
Material: Glass
Glasses Per Set: 2
DUJUST Shot Glasses
Best for Gifting
Featuring a 24-karat gold leaf design, these DUJUST Shot Glasses are sure to impress anyone with a passion for fine spirits. Each glass is marked by a handmade gold rim plus a thick, sturdy bottom filled with delicate gold foil. Available in a set of six, they’re made from high-grade, blown crystal for durability, making them noticeably heavier than other shot glasses. When you’re not using them, the luxurious design makes them perfect for displaying inside a fine dinnerware cabinet. Note that they’re not dishwasher-safe.
Price at time of publish: $33
Size: 1.5 ounces
Material: Crystal
Glasses Per Set: 6
Genuine Fred Doomed Crystal Skull Shot Glass
Best Novelty
Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party or looking to spice up your next game night with friends, this Genuine Fred Doomed Crystal Skull Shot Glass brings an edge to your home bar environment. Made from hand-blown crystal glass, each one features a large center skull that takes the color of your spirit when poured. Though the glass looks small, it can hold up to 2.5 ounces of liquid, which is more than standard shot glasses. Given their intricate design, they’re not dishwasher-safe.
Price at time of publish: $22
Size: 2.5 ounces
Material: Glass
Glasses Per Set: 1
The Spice Lab Pink Himalayan Salt Tequila Shot Glasses
Best for Tequila
These unique, handmade shot glasses from the Spice Lab feature the finely veined, translucent appearance of rose quartz though they’re carved from high-quality, food-grade pink Himalayan salt. In other words, that means no two glasses will ever be the same. However, their patented inserts make these glasses a serious standout, which add a favorably salty note to your favorite tequila without needing extra salt. Simply serve with a lime wedge. Beyond tequila, you can use these glasses to serve appetizers like gazpacho or ceviche without the worry of food getting too salty. These glasses are freezer-safe, too, so you can safely place them in the freezer. They’re not dishwasher-safe, so clean them with a damp cloth and let them dry for 24 hours.
Price at time of publish: $20
Size: 0.8 ounces
Material: Pink Himalayan salt
Glasses Per Set: 4
Valeways Mini Coupes
Best for Sipping
We know tall, slender shot glasses don’t always lend themselves to sipping. That’s where these Valeways Glassware Mini Shot Glasses come in. Though labeled as brandy glasses, you can use them to sample and enjoy all types of spirits. Made from high-quality, dishwasher-safe glass, the base is heavy-weight and thick for serious durability. Though this set of six glasses includes a 1.75-ounce capacity, you can opt for larger versions with the same shape.
Price at time of publish: $15
Size: 1.75 ounces
Material: Glass
Glasses Per Set: 6
Factors to Consider
Material
Most shot glasses are made of glass, but the type and quality vary greatly. For durability, opt for a thicker, heavy-weight shot glass. If you’re looking for elegance and style, choose a higher-quality crystal shot glass, but note that the material will require careful handling. For large parties, tailgates, and other gatherings, silicone is a great alternative to single-use plastic as the material can withstand frequent use and is shatterproof and dishwasher-safe.
Size
There is no official shot glass size in the U.S., though most bartenders will tell you they average about 1.5 ounces in capacity. That falls in line with Utah, the only state on the books that officially defines a standard shot glass size as 1.5 ounces. Though some glasses are slightly smaller or larger, keep in mind that if you want to use your shot glass to measure spirits when making cocktails at home, a larger glass can affect the flavor of your drink.
Design
Overall, the design of traditional shot glasses is very similar. Most of them are tall, thin, and slender, though occasionally, you’ll see rounder, thicker versions. Case in point: There is no right or wrong shot glass design, though some, depending on their shape, may require more delicate care. If you’re looking for a durable, practical shot glass that can withstand frequent use, avoid fine crystal and choose a design with standard, heavy-weight glass that is dishwasher-safe.
Our Expertise
Clarissa Buch Zilberman is a Florida-based food and drink writer who specializes in product reviews and roundups. In addition to Food & Wine, her work has appeared in Bon Appetit, Food Network, and Time Out, among others.
