If your company hosts parties and events that involve alcohol, custom shot glasses can be great giveaways for your attendees. Not only will these branded items strengthen your branding with those in attendance, but they will continue to market for your company. Most people who receive shot glasses will keep them for many years and be reminded of your company each time they use them. So maybe you are not a connoisseur of taking shots and you don't know the difference between various types of shot glasses and all of the options. That's okay, because below you will find a simple breakdown of all of the styles of shot glasses as well as the various materials and sizes available. Just because they are called shot glasses, don't assume they are made of glass. There are many types of materials such as acrylic, plastic, ceramic, glass, and even stainless steel.

Types of Shot Glasses

Basic Shot Glasses

Everyone, whether a drinker or not, is familiar with this style of shot glasses. This is a just a traditional, tapered shot glass and they are typically anywhere from 1.25 - 1.5 ounces in size, with 1.5 ounces being the most common size for a basic shot glass since a shot is typically this amount. They can be made from any type of material. If you are looking for a basic shot glass with your logo on it, you can't go wrong with this option. These are by far the most popular choice.

Tall Shot Glasses

Nightclubs are known for serving shots in tall shot glasses because the appearance of the tall shots makes it seem like they hold a lot more liquor than they actually do. These are also considered to be a little classier than a basic shot glass, so along with the appearance of much more liquor, higher prices can be charged for shots in a tall shot glass. Sometimes, these are also called shooters, not to be confused with the test tube style shooters. Most tall shot glasses hold about 2 ounces of alcohol. The tall glasses are much easier to spill due to their height, so if you are concerned with spillage, than look for the other styles. If you want a traditional look that stands out just a bit more than a basic shot glass, this is your pick.

Novelty Shot Glasses

Sometimes you need to really step away from the traditional and go for something will generate some conversation. Novelty shot glasses can do just that. These are shaped into various icons such as a mini beer mug, mason jar, red party cup, boot, champagne flutes, or some other uniquely shaped item. Most of these tend to be smaller in size capacity and hold between 1-1.5 ounces. However, if you can find a shape that compliments your business or a line of products that your company sells, this is a great marketing opportunity to generate conversation and strengthen the likelihood that the recipients will remember your company.

Glow and Light-Up Shot Glasses

These light-up shot glasses are for those who want to get down and dirty and throw a party. These are more popular for the younger, but legal, generations. Some of the glowing shot glasses are meant for a one-time use and once activated, they glow for approximately 4-6 hours. Others, such as the LED light-up shot glasses actually have an on/off switch and are battery powered, so they are reusable and last much longer. Your available budget will determine which option you go with. This light-up style certain attracts a lot of attention to your logo that is printed on the side and radiating to all the surrounding party people.

Shot Glass Materials

Glass Shot Glasses

Of course, glass is what comes to mind when most people think of shot glasses, after all, they are called, "glasses." Glass has a great, heavy feel that is popular among "professional shot takers." The heavier the glass used to make the shot glass, the higher the cost of the shot glass. If you are looking for upscale, a heavy glass shot glass will do the trick. With glass, you can choose from clear or a colored glass option. Other choices include traditional tapered, fluted, and square glasses. Obviously with glass products, they are breakable, so if you are concerned with breakage, check out some of the other options below. However, if you want traditional, glass shot glasses are a great choice.

Acrylic Shot Glasses

Even though acrylic is a type of plastic, we separate it into its own category because of the major differences in appearance between acrylic and "typical" plastic. Acrylic is a clear plastic that closely resembles glass. From a distance, it is hard to determine whether the material is actually glass or acrylic. Acrylic commonly comes in many colors so you can compliment your company colors. Many of the LED and light up shot glasses are made of acrylic. Since acrylic is very light-weight and very durable, acrylic shot glasses may be the clear choice, if you anticipate your crowd getting a bit rough and are worried about having glass shot glasses around your party.

Plastic Shot Glasses

It is well-known that glass is much more expensive to manufacture than plastic, hence, the creation of plastic shot glasses. This lower cost material allows for bulk purchases of shot glasses to made by companies who can't otherwise afford the glass option. Often you will find many of the novelty shot glasses and the glow and light-up shot glasses are made out of plastic. You can choose from either disposable plastic or reusable plastic. Plastic is durable and lower cost, so it is the perfect choice for those on a tight budget.

Ceramic Shot Glasses

Ceramic has become a very popular alternative material for shot glasses. The smooth finish on ceramic shot glasses gives these an elegant look, an upscale feel, and many options for color combinations to go along with your company colors. Just like when shopping for ceramic coffee mugs, it is cheaper in cost to go with a white ceramic color over a colored ceramic. This style most commonly is available for basic shot glasses. A great characteristic of ceramic is the heavy weight, which makes these more of a commodity for recipients. The heavier weight creates a higher sense of value. If you want upscale, a heavy weight, and great color choices, ceramic may be the best fit for you.

Stainless Steel

If you are looking for a timeless material, you may want to think about going with stainless steel shot glasses. Stainless steel has an upscale look and is very durable. For even more visual appeal, go with the stainless steel/acrylic mix options. The stainless steel part adds the durability and the acrylic adds color to the shot glasses. This material will be higher priced than many of the other materials. These steel shot glass are so durable, they will practically last forever and continue to promote your company for decades. Overall, you can't make a bad decision when buying shot glasses with your company logo. The shot glasses will advertise for your company during and after your party. Fun is guaranteed if shots are involved, and when marketing and fun are mixed together, your company benefits by strongly reinforcing your company brand. Now that you know the various options for promotional shot glasses, you can make a better decision about which shot glasses will work best for your needs.

Common Sizes of Shot Glasses

1 oz

1.5 oz

1.75 oz

2 oz

2.25 oz

2.5 oz

3 oz and larger