Dram vs. Shot — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 2, 2024
A dram is a smaller unit of liquid, often used to describe a serving of whisky, typically less than a standard shot, which is a fixed measure of alcohol in bars, usually 1.5 ounces in the U.S.
Difference Between Dram and Shot
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A dram is traditionally a Scottish term, most commonly associated with servings of Scotch whisky. It does not have a standard measurement and can vary, usually implying a small amount that one could quickly sip or taste. Whereas a shot is a more defined unit of alcohol serving, used universally in bars and restaurants, typically measuring 1.5 ounces (or approximately 44 milliliters) in the United States.
The term dram evokes a more informal, cultural context, often related to the enjoyment and appreciation of whisky, especially in social settings or during tastings. On the other hand, a shot is recognized globally as a standard measure in the hospitality industry, associated not just with whisky but with a variety of spirits, serving both in casual and formal drinking occasions.
While a dram might be preferred in discussions about whisky tasting, emphasizing the leisurely savoring of the drink, a shot is often associated with a quicker consumption. This reflects not just a difference in quantity but in the experience and intention behind drinking.
In some regions, the term dram has also been used historically as a unit of measurement, but in the context of alcohol, especially whisky, it remains largely qualitative, indicating a small, enjoyable amount. Conversely, the shot is quantitatively precise, important for standardizing recipes, serving sizes, and alcohol consumption guidelines.
Despite their differences, both terms are integral to the culture of alcohol consumption. A dram speaks to the heritage and traditional enjoyment of spirits, especially whisky, while a shot accommodates a wide range of social drinking practices, from celebrations to casual gatherings.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A small amount of liquid, often whisky, without a fixed size
A standard unit of alcohol, usually 1.5 oz (44 ml) in the U.S.
Context
Traditionally Scottish, associated with whisky tastings
Universal in bars and restaurants, used for various spirits
Measurement
Variable, qualitative
Fixed, quantitative
Consumption Style
Intended for savoring and appreciation
Often consumed quickly
Cultural Significance
Evokes a traditional, leisurely drinking experience
Associated with a wide range of social drinking practices
Compare with Definitions
Dram
A small amount of whisky, often enjoyed slowly.
He poured a dram of his finest Scotch for a quiet evening.
Shot
A standard measure of alcohol, typically 1.5 oz, served quickly.
She ordered a shot of tequila at the bar.
Dram
A cultural symbol for the enjoyment of Scotch whisky.
To celebrate, he gifted his father a bottle and suggested they have a dram together.
Shot
A universal unit for serving spirits in a concise amount.
The cocktail recipe called for a shot of rum and juice.
Dram
A traditional measure for whisky without a precise size.
The tour guide offered each visitor a dram of local whisky.
Shot
A precise volume for mixing drinks in bars and restaurants.
The bartender measured a shot of vodka for the martini.
Dram
A term signifying a casual serving of spirits, especially in Scotland.
After dinner, they shared a dram and stories.
Shot
A method of quick alcohol consumption, often in a social setting.
They toasted with a shot at midnight.
Dram
A unit of liquid historically used, now mostly for whisky.
In the old days, a dram was a much more common measure.
Shot
A term indicating both the measure and the glass it comes in.
He cleaned the shot glasses in preparation for the party.
Dram
A memory chip that depends upon an applied voltage to keep the stored data.
Shot
The firing or discharge of a weapon, such as a gun.
Dram
A unit of weight in the US Customary System equal to 1/16 of an ounce or 27.34 grains (1.77 grams).
Shot
The distance over which something is shot; the range.
Dram
A unit of apothecary weight equal to 1/8 of an ounce or 60 grains (3.89 grams).
Shot
An attempt to hit a target with a projectile
His shot at the bear missed by inches.
Dram
A small draft
Took a dram of brandy.
Shot
An attempt to reach a target with a rocket
A moon shot.
Dram
A small amount; a bit
Not a dram of compassion.
Shot
An attempt to score into a goal, as in soccer or hockey.
Dram
See Table at currency.
Shot
The flight or path of a projectile in a game.
Dram
Dynamic RAM.
Shot
A sharply hit or driven ball or puck.
Dram
(units of measurement) A small unit of weight, variously:
Shot
A stroke in a game, as in golf or billiards
Took three shots to get out of the sand trap.
Dram
Alternative form of drachm.
Shot
A pointed or critical remark.
Dram
(pharmacy) drachm.
Shot
An attempt; a try
Took a shot at losing weight.
Dram
(now uncommon) dirhem: a former Turkish unit of weight (variously 1.5–3.5 g).
Shot
An opportunity
Gave him a fair shot at the part in the play.
Dram
(obsolete) drachma: a former Greek unit of weight (about 4.3 g).
Shot
A chance at odds; something to bet on
The horse was a four-to-one shot.
Dram
(by extension) Any similarly minute quantity, a small amount of strong alcohol or poison.
A dram of brandy
Shot
A solid projectile designed to be discharged from a firearm or cannon.
Dram
A cart formerly used to haul coal in coal mines.
Shot
Pl. shot Such projectiles, especially when fired in clusters, considered as a group.
Dram
(obsolete) drachma: a Greek silver coin weighing one drachma; other similar coins.
Shot
Pl. shot Tiny lead or steel pellets, especially ones used in a shotgun cartridge.
Dram
The currency of Armenia, divided into 100 luma.
Shot
One of these pellets.
Dram
To drink drams.
Shot
(Sports) The heavy metal ball that is put for distance in the shot put.
Dram
To ply with drams of drink.
Shot
One who shoots in a particular way
A good shot with the rifle and the bow.
Dram
A weight; in Apothecaries' weight, one eighth part of an ounce, or sixty grains; in Avoirdupois weight, one sixteenth part of an ounce, or 27.34375 grains.
Shot
A charge of explosives used in blasting mine shafts.
Dram
A minute quantity; a mite.
Were I the chooser, a dram of well-doing should be preferred before many times as mush the forcible hindrance of evildoing.
Shot
A detonation of an explosive charge.
Dram
As much spirituous liquor as is usually drunk at once; as, a dram of brandy; hence, a potation or potion; as, a dram of poison.
Shot
A photograph taken of a particular subject
Got a good shot of that last model.
Dram
A Persian daric.
Shot
A single continuous recording made with a movie camera.
Dram
Same as dynamic RAM.
Shot
A hypodermic injection.
Dram
To drink drams; to ply with drams.
Shot
A small amount given or applied at one time
A shot of oxygen.
Dram
A unit of apothecary weight equal to an eighth of an ounce or to 60 grains
Shot
A small amount of liquor, usually between 1 and 1 ½ ounces
Got out the vodka and measured two shots into the glass.
Dram
1/16 ounce or 1.771 grams
Shot
A small drink
Sipped a shot of bourbon.
Drank a shot of espresso.
Dram
The basic unit of money in Armenia
Shot
A small amount of a liquid used as an ingredient in a beverage
Prepared a smoothie with a shot of wheatgrass.
Shot
An amount to be paid, as for drinks; a bill.
Shot
(Nautical) A length of chain equal to 15 fathoms (90 feet).
Shot
To load or weight with shot.
Shot
Past tense and past participle of shoot.
Shot
Of changeable or variegated color; iridescent.
Shot
Streaked or flecked with or as if with yarn of a different color
A blue suit shot with purple.
A forest glade that was shot with sunlight.
Shot
Interspersed or permeated with a distinctive quality
Her apology was shot with irony.
Shot
Worn-out; ruined.
Shot
Exhausted; thoroughly tired.
Shot
(colloquial) Worn out or broken.
The rear axle will have to be replaced. It’s shot.
Shot
(of material, especially silk) Woven from warp and weft strands of different colours, resulting in an iridescent appearance.
The cloak was shot through with silver threads.
Shot
Tired, weary.
I have to go to bed now; I’m shot.
Shot
Discharged, cleared, or rid of something.
Shot
Scarred silly or crazy of something or someone usually due to a traumatic experience with said fear.
This man is wolf shot from seeing too many horror movies with wolves in them, so much so that even the mention of the word “wolf” makes him run in terror and that need committed to the insane asylum.
Shot
The result of launching a projectile or bullet.
The shot was wide off the mark.
Shot
(sports) The act of launching a ball or similar object toward a goal.
They took the lead on a last-minute shot.
Shot
(athletics) The heavy iron ball used for the shot put.
The shot flew twenty metres, and nearly landed on the judge's foot.
Shot
(uncountable) Small metal balls used as ammunition.
Shot
Metal balls (or similar) used as ammunition; not necessarily small.
Shot
Someone who shoots (a gun, longbow, etc.); a person reckoned as to their aim.
He'd make a bad soldier, since he's a lousy shot.
Shot
An opportunity or attempt.
I'd like just one more shot at winning this game.
Shot
A remark or comment, especially one which is critical or insulting.
Shot
A punch or other physical blow.
Shot
A measure of alcohol, usually spirits, as taken either from a shot-glass or directly from the bottle, equivalent to about 44 milliliters; 1.5 ounces. ("pony shot"= 30 milliliters; 1 fluid ounce)
I'd like a shot of whisky in my coffee.
Shot
A single serving of espresso.
Shot
(archaic) A reckoning, a share of a tavern bill, etc.
Shot
A single snapshot or an unbroken sequence of photographic film exposures, or the digital equivalent; an unedited sequence of frames.
We got a good shot of the hummingbirds mating.
Shot
(medicine) A vaccination or injection.
I went to the doctor to get a shot for malaria.
Shot
A home run that scores one, two, or three runs (a four run home run is usually referred to as a grand slam).
His solo shot in the seventh inning ended up winning the game.
Shot
(US federal prison system) Written documentation of a behavior infraction.
Shot
(fisheries) A cast of one or more nets.
Shot
(fisheries) A place or spot for setting nets.
Shot
(fisheries) A single draft or catch of fish made.
Shot
A charge to be paid, a scot or shout.
Drink up. It's his shot.
Shot
Simple past tense and past participle of shoot
Shot
(transitive) To load (a gun) with shot.
Shot
An expression of gratitude, similar to thank you.
Shot
A share or proportion; a reckoning; a scot.
Here no shots are where all shares be.
A man is never . . . welcome to a place till some certain shot be paid and the hostess say "Welcome."
Shot
The act of shooting; discharge of a firearm or other weapon which throws a missile.
He caused twenty shot of his greatest cannon to be made at the king's army.
Shot
A missile weapon, particularly a ball or bullet; specifically, whatever is discharged as a projectile from firearms or cannon by the force of an explosive.
Shot
Small globular masses of lead, of various sizes, - used chiefly as the projectiles in shotguns for killing game; as, bird shot; buckshot.
Shot
The flight of a missile, or the distance which it is, or can be, thrown; as, the vessel was distant more than a cannon shot.
Shot
A marksman; one who practices shooting; as, an exellent shot.
Shot
A cast of a net.
Shot
A spherical weight, to be put, or thrown, in competition for distance.
Shot
A stroke, throw, or other action to propel a ball or other game piece in certain games, as in billiards, hockey, basketball, curling, etc.; also, a move, as in chess.
Shot
A guess; conjecture; also, an attempt.
Shot
To load with shot, as a gun.
Shot
An attempt to score in a game
Shot
(sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand;
It took two strokes to get out of the bunker
A good shot require good balance and tempo
He left me an almost impossible shot
Shot
The act of firing a projectile;
His shooting was slow but accurate
Shot
A chance to do something;
He wanted a shot at the champion
Shot
The act of putting a liquid into the body by means of a syringe;
The nurse gave him a flu shot
Shot
A solid missile discharged from a firearm;
The shot buzzed past his ear
Shot
An informal photograph; usually made with a small hand-held camera;
My snapshots haven't been developed yet
He tried to get unposed shots of his friends
Shot
A consecutive series of pictures that constitutes a unit of action in a film
Shot
Informal words for any attempt or effort;
He gave it his best shot
He took a stab at forecasting
Shot
An aggressive remark directed at a person like a missile and intended to have a telling effect;
His parting shot was `drop dead'
She threw shafts of sarcasm
She takes a dig at me every chance she gets
Shot
A blow hard enough to cause injury;
He is still recovering from a shot to his leg
I caught him with a solid shot to the chin
Shot
A small drink of liquor;
He poured a shot of whiskey
Shot
Sports equipment consisting of a heavy metal ball used in the shot put;
He trained at putting the shot
Shot
A person who shoots (usually with respect to their ability to shoot);
He is a crack shot
A poor shooter
Shot
The launching of a missile or spacecraft to a specified destination
Shot
An explosive charge used in blasting
Shot
An estimate based on little or no information
Shot
Varying in color when seen in different lights or from different angles;
Changeable taffeta
Chatoyant (or shot) silk
A dragonfly hovered, vibrating and iridescent
Common Curiosities
Is a dram bigger than a shot?
Generally, a dram is considered smaller than a shot, though it's not a fixed measure and can vary.
How do bars measure a dram?
Bars tend to serve whisky based on standard shot measures or specified ounces rather than drams, as the latter is not a precise measure.
Is a shot always 1.5 ounces?
In the U.S., a standard shot is 1.5 ounces, but this can vary internationally. For example, in the UK, a standard shot is 25 ml or 35 ml.
Is there a standard size for a dram?
No, a dram does not have a standard size and is more about the concept of a small, enjoyable serving of whisky.
Can you use the term dram for drinks other than whisky?
While traditionally associated with whisky, particularly Scotch, the term dram can be used informally for small servings of other spirits, though it's less common.
How is a shot measured in bars?
Bars use measuring tools like jiggers or shot pourers to accurately measure 1.5 ounces (or the local standard) for a shot.
Why do people drink whisky by the dram?
Drinking whisky by the dram is part of a tradition that emphasizes tasting, savoring, and appreciating the complex flavors of the spirit, rather than consuming it quickly.
What is the main difference between a dram and a shot?
A dram typically refers to a small, variable amount of whisky, emphasizing enjoyment, while a shot is a fixed measure of alcohol, 1.5 ounces in the U.S., used across various spirits.
Can you have a dram in a shot glass?
Yes, a dram can be served in a shot glass, though it may not fill the glass, as a dram implies a smaller amount for savoring.
Why is the shot a popular serving size?
The shot is popular for its convenience, standardization, and suitability for quick consumption, making it ideal for social and celebratory occasions.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
