Jigger Measurement Conversions (mL, teaspoons, tablespoons, etc.)

This post talks about the measurements when using jiggers. I guess you can call this post “part 2” of the introductory jiggers post I wrote a while back. The measurement conversions are important because I know that not all of my audience is coming from the United States, that almost exclusively measures everything US standard ounce. The other common type of ounce measured is the imperial ounce, customary in Great Britain only.

In this post we will discuss conversions and differences of measurement, just to get it out of the way.

*** IT might sound really boring now, but trust me… its important!***

LIQUOR BOTTLE SIZES

Normally, when we read cocktail books and review recipes we find online that we would like to replicate, we see measurements like “milliliters” or “centiliters” (mL and cl respectively). If we are not careful, or do not do our due diligence, the recipe will be all different for the particular cocktail in question.

First, lets look at the size of our liquor bottles behind the bar. Now, it is important to note that within United States laws, there are certain size of bottles that are not allowed, but we will include for the sake of understanding:

  • “Mini” – These are the smallest size producers make. Intended as a “taste” size that consumers can buy at a fraction of the prize of a full-size bottle to see if they would enjoy the spirit in question. This is a measurement of 50mL or 1.7 US fluid ounce (U.K. – 1.8  Imperial fluid ounce)
  • “Half Pint” – 6.8 US fluid ounce / 7.0 Imperial ounce / 200mL
  • “Pint” – 12.7 US fluid ounce / 13.2 Imperial ounce / 375mL
  • “European Spirit Bottle” – 23.7 US fluid ounce / 1 pint 4.6 Imperial fluid ounces / 700mL … Now this bottle comes with some controversy. Most bottles produced around the world are a customary 750mL, which is what we see standard behind most bars, but the European Union decided to “stay different” based on conversions to US standards. These bottle sizes are NOT allowed to be imported to the United States.
  • “Fifth” – 25.6 US fluid ounces / 1 pint 6.4 fluid Imperial ounces / 750mL … This is the customary bottle we were talking about earlier. This can be seen more often in six packs or 12 from the liquor producers.
  • “Liter” – 33.8 US fluid ounces / 35.2 Imperial fluid ounces / 1000mL . This bottle can be seen regularly behind the bar as well, mostly from vodka producers (as vodka is the most-mixed spirit behind the bar) — *** there is also a 1.75mL bottle that is sold in the US, primarily for vodka ***

WHAT IS ALL THIS STUFF ABOUT “mL”?

Milliliters are the unit of measurement mostly found in the rest of Europe. Since we are so used to seeing US ounces everywhere here in America, when there are recipes over seas at bars in France, Germany, and so forth, the measurements are recorded in milliliters.

So how much is a milliliter? A milliliter (mL) is on thousandth of a liter. To avoid over-complicating things, 1 US fluid ounce is equivalent to 30mL. This could put it into perspective when making “foreign” cocktails.

Here is a small table of conversions that put it all into perspective for ME when I was bartending and mixing cocktails from Spain, France, Germany, Austria, England, Portugal, or otherwise:

  • 0.25 US fluid ounce – 7.5mL
  • 0.5 US fluid ounce – 15mL
  • 0.75 US fluid ounce – 20mL
  • 1 US fluid ounce – 30mL
  • 1.5 US fluid ounce – 45mL
  • 2 US fluid ounce – 60mL

Pretty simple, right? It truly is a great step to take to understand more of how ratios work behind the bar and how they can be implemented to create our own original drinks!

WHATS UP WITH ALL THOSE SPOONS?

Now, another way to measure accurately at HOME for example, and you do not have the tools needed to mix (jiggers, etc.), then teaspoons and tablespoons come in handy!

Here is why:

  • 2 teaspoons = 1/3 US fluid ounce
  • 1 Tablespoon = 0.5 US fluid ounce

Thats all you really need in terms of mixing without jiggers and such! It allows for a great deal of convenience if, say, you were to mix yourself the perfect manhattan, all you need are some tablespoons and some ice! Well, of course you will need the whiskey and vermouth and bitters, but you know what I mean! All of it can then be mixed in a tall glass and even with the spoon you measured with. Hows that for an impromptu cocktail?

I hope that is a great start to measuring out perfect ratios at home and otherwise. Like I said before, this might seem like some “boring” stuff compared to awesome infusions and cocktail recipes, but completely necessary to understand!

Now that all that is out of the way, lets get onto some more cocktails and methods!

Salud.