How Many Shots of Vodka To Get Drunk (2022 UPDATED) (2024)

Last Updated on December 3, 2022 by Lydia Martin

Ask any liquor enthusiast — or, ahem, expert — and they’ll probably tell you that drinking the crystal clear drink vodka is one of the fastest ways to get drunk.

But how much vodka can you actually drink before you’re considered completely drunk? We’ll let you know in a second.

Table of Contents

How Much Vodka Can Get You Drunk?

How Many Shots of Vodka To Get Drunk (2022 UPDATED) (1)

To get a little tipsy, an average individual would need around 2 to 4 shots of vodka.

You may start feeling drunk with 5 to 9 shots. In our experience, more than 10 shots of vodka will leave you feeling extremely drunk.

Vodka is a type of distilled alcoholic drink that is usually void of odor and flavor, making it the perfect alcohol base for many mixed drinks and co*cktails.

It is considered one of the strongest liquors, so yes, it can get you drunk.

Vodka has a minimum bottling level of 35 percent alcohol by volume (ABV), which is pretty high compared to the 3 to 13 percent ABV of beer, the 11.6 percent ABV of wine, the 35 to 55 percent ABV of gin.

Some vodka brands are bottled at a higher ABV, with Spirytus Rektyfikowany considered the strongest vodka in the world at 96 percent ABV.

More premium quality vodka tends to be stronger, and sometimes one shot glass of vodka can leave one feeling a little bit drunk already.

Also Read: Does Vodka Evaporate?

Number of Vodka Shots To Get Drunk

How Many Shots of Vodka To Get Drunk (2022 UPDATED) (2)

Men

How Many Shots of Vodka To Get Drunk (2022 UPDATED) (3)

So, how many shots does it take to get drunk? It would take an average-sized man 7 to 9 shots of vodka before he would start feeling drunk, with a maximum limit of 10 to 11 shots before he’s too drunk to do anything else.

As mentioned earlier, men have higher alcohol tolerance than women.

Fun fact: the Russians love their vodka so much that they can continue drinking up to half a liter (16.5 ounces) and still feel sober!

Here are some vodka brands made in Russia.

Also Read: Skyy Vodka Flavors

Women

After 3 shots of vodka, most women would start feeling a bit drunk, but not in any extreme way. Maybe more like armed with enough liquid courage to hit up the cutie at the far end of the bar.

After 5 to 6 shots, most women will probably be totally drunk, and we don’t advise you to go for more. But, how many mL is one shot?

Note that the above statistical data will be ballpark figures of how much vodka is needed to get drunk. Each shot will be the US standard of 1.5 ounces, and we will consider only vodkas with an ABV of 40 percent.

Of course, suppose you are taking your time in between shots, eating food, or even simply making an effort to take small sips of vodka.

In that case, it will definitely take you longer to get drunk, and you may even end up consuming a lot more vodka, so the below will not apply to you.

Also Read: Guide to Vodka Proof

Factors Affecting Vodka Intake in a Person

How Many Shots of Vodka To Get Drunk (2022 UPDATED) (4)

Mood

If you aren’t too hung up about drinking, your alcohol tolerance might surprise you.

It’s said that those who were in a happier mood or weren’t pressured when it came to drinking vodka drank way more than those who were nervous, who got drunk sooner. But what vodka type causes less hangover?

Weight

A person with less body weight will definitely not be able to handle as much vodka (or any alcohol) as the next person who weighs a lot more.

In other words, the less you weigh, the more affected you are by alcohol.

Also Read: Vodka vs Rum

Gender

Women generally have lower alcohol tolerance than men, and it’s not because of some gender inequality thing.

Men’s and women’s bodies are made differently. Women biologically have less alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in their bodies than men, a stomach and liver enzyme responsible for breaking down alcoholic drinks.

Side Drinks & Chasers

Have you ever tried to drink on an empty stomach? It didn’t turn out so well for you, did it? [1] The same concept applies to drinking vodka with chasers, side drinks, and snacks.

Suppose your stomach is full of other fruit juices like lemon juice, olives, peanuts, and other consumable products commonly paired with alcohol.

In that case, it can help in staying sober as your body will have to work twice as hard to absorb the vodka enough to get you to feel drunk.

Read:

Popular Vodka Brands

How Many Shots of Vodka To Get Drunk (2022 UPDATED) (5)

Vodka Brand

Alcohol By Volume (ABV)

Belvedere

40

Svedka

40

Stolichnaya

40

Zubrowka

40

Absolut

40

Smirnoff

37.5

Tito’s

40

Finlandia

40

Khortytsa

40

Grey Goose

40

FAQs

Are five shots of vodka a lot?

Yes, five shots of vodka are considered a lot, especially if you plan to drink them all in one go. You might even end up getting sick and throwing up.

If you plan on drinking five shots, it’s better to go slow and spread it out. Maybe drink one shot now and another shot in 30 minutes to an hour. Find out how long vodka takes to kick in here.

How long does being drunk with vodka last?

If you get drunk on vodka, the effects of intoxication on your brain, such as lightheadedness, euphoria, slurred speech, and decreased coordination, will probably last about six hours.

That’s not counting the hangover and detoxification period, though, which can last anywhere from 48 to 72 hours. But, can you mix vodka and tequila?

So, How Many Shots of Vodka WIll Get You Drunk?

Being drunk is great fun, but it’s no fun to stay drunk and miss out on most of the party’s happenings. Take note that on average, women should only stick to an average of five shots, while men can go up to seven.

Now that you know just how much vodka to drink to get drunk, you’re better equipped for the next time you plan on partying the night away!

Reference:

  1. https://www.healthline.com/health/drinking-on-an-empty-stomach#on-an-empty-stomach

How Many Shots of Vodka To Get Drunk (2022 UPDATED) (6)

Lydia Martin hails from Redmond, Washington, where you’ll find some of the best co*cktail bars and distilleries that offer a great mix of local drinks. She used to work as a bar manager in Paris and is a self-taught mixologist whose passion for crafting unique co*cktails led her to create Liquor Laboratory. Lydia can whip up a mean Margarita in seconds! Contact at [emailprotected] or learn more about us here.

How Many Shots of Vodka To Get Drunk (2022 UPDATED) (2024)

FAQs

How many shots of vodka will get you drunk? ›

10%, which is above the legal limit to drive. This means: an average 170lb woman becomes drunk after around 4 shots of vodka. an average 200lb man becomes drunk after around 6 shots of vodka.

Can 1 shot of vodka get you drunk? ›

Drinking straight vodka is going to get you drunk very quickly even if you do only drink a small amount. Vodka is most DEFINITELY NOT THE BEST DRINK TO TRY FIRST TIME.

Will 3 vodka shots get me drunk? ›

For getting a little drunk, three shots of vodka are enough. If you continue to drink up to 8 to 9 shots, that's when they start getting more drunk. The upper cap for men is ten shots of vodka. Exceeding this, they will be extremely drunk.

Will 2 shots of vodka get you drunk? ›

Two to four shots of vodka can make you a little tipsy, while you may feel extremely intoxicated in ten or more.

What does feeling tipsy feel like? ›

A person will enter the euphoric stage of intoxication after consuming 2 to 3 drinks as a man or 1 to 2 drinks as a woman, in an hour. This is the tipsy stage. You might feel more confident and chatty. You might have a slower reaction time and lowered inhibitions.

How many shots get a person tipsy? ›

Most people get intoxicated after taking three to four shots; this influence can happen more rapidly if the person involved is small in stature.

Will a shot get you tipsy? ›

Yes, hard liquor has a higher alcohol content than beer. But as long as you're drinking them at the same speed, a shot of liquor in a mixer should give you the same buzz as a 12-ounce beer. Shots tend to get people more drunk because they take them more quickly than they would drink a beer or a glass of wine.

Can a 13 year old have vodka? ›

If children do drink alcohol, they should not do so until they're at least 15 years old. If 15 to 17 year olds drink alcohol, it should be rarely, and never more than once a week.

Does one shot get tipsy? ›

Just one shot can get you drunk. Most co*cktails contain at least one 1 1/2 oz. shot. Thats a little more than many people can digest in an hour.

How many shots does it take to blackout? ›

For example, an individual that takes three shots in a row is more likely to experience a blackout than someone who drinks three alcoholic beverages over a period of three hours. The majority of blackouts often occur after a rapid increase BAC that reaches higher than 0.15.

How long does drunk last? ›

Generally speaking, it takes about 6 hours for the effects of being drunk to wear off. If you count the hangover/detoxification period that happens after drinking alcohol, the effects may last longer. For most people, one drink leads to a . 02 blood alcohol level.

How long does it take for vodka to kick in? ›

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism , alcohol enters your bloodstream as soon as you take that first sip. The effects kick in within about 10 minutes.

Is 4 shots of vodka OK? ›

To get a little tipsy, an average individual would need around 2 to 4 shots of vodka. You may start feeling drunk with 5 to 9 shots. In our experience, more than 10 shots of vodka will leave you feeling extremely drunk.

How do you sober up quickly? ›

Although a person cannot sober up more quickly, there are some approaches that may help them to feel more alert and appear more sober:
  1. Coffee. Caffeine may help a person feel alert, but it does not break down alcohol in the body. ...
  2. Cold showers. ...
  3. Eating and drinking. ...
  4. Sleep. ...
  5. Exercise. ...
  6. Carbon or charcoal capsules.

Is 4 shots of vodka a day too much? ›

Drinking vodka every day can be harmful to your health.

If you drink alcohol every day, health experts recommend you do not drink more than 0.6 ounces (for women) or 1.2 ounces (for men) of pure alcohol. Due to vodka's high alcohol content, this comes out to 1 or 2 shots of vodka per day.

How do I know if I'm tipsy? ›

How to Tell if You're Drunk or Buzzed
  1. If you're buzzed, you can typically remember what you did/are doing.
  2. People still typically have control over their speech and body when buzzed.
  3. Being drunk can bring more unpleasant effects and moods, whereas being buzzed brings a feeling of happiness.
13 Oct 2020

Why can't I get drunk? ›

People who don't get drunk

But in reality, if someone drinks a lot and never seems to get drunk, they have developed a high tolerance for alcohol. Tolerance occurs because of your body's remarkable ability to process alcohol. Unlike with other drugs, your body actually tries to adapt to alcohol's persistent presence.

Why do I get drunk faster than before? ›

The amount of food and water you had before drinking: The less food and water you have in your system before drinking, the quicker you get drunk. That's because food and water slow down how quickly the body absorbs alcohol.

What happens if you drink a whole bottle of vodka at once? ›

The high-dose drinking impacts several bodily functions and systems, including: Heart – high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, sudden death from heart failure. Kidneys – dehydration and low levels of sodium, potassium, and other essential minerals.

What alcohol gets you drunk fast? ›

What type of alcohol gets you drunk the fastest? The type of alcohol that can get you drunk the fastest is vodka or tequila. Both are in the same range of alcohol content – 110 proof max. Three or more shots can get you drunk real quick, but it still depends on your alcohol tolerance.

Is 5 shots a lot? ›

If your drink five shots in twenty minutes, you're going to be quite drunk, and it will all hit you at the same time. Conversely, if you drink the same five shots over three hours, you'll be happy and buzzed at the end, but much less likely to get sick.

How long does a shot last? ›

After alcohol enters the bloodstream, the liver breaks it down. It takes about 1 hour for your liver to break down the amount of alcohol in a standard alcoholic drink (one beer, one glass of wine, or one shot).

How long does it take to feel a shot? ›

It takes 30 minutes to feel the effects of alcohol.

It may take an hour to metabolize a drink, but it takes approximately thirty minutes before you feel alcohol's effects.

How long does vodka stay on your breath? ›

Alcohol detection tests can measure alcohol in the blood for up to 6 hours, on the breath for 12 to 24 hours, urine for 12 to 24 hours (72 or more hours with more advanced detection methods), saliva for 12 to 24 hours, and hair for up to 90 days.

Can 100 year olds drink vodka? ›

The good news is that liquor such as gin, vodka, whiskey, tequila, and rum, are considered shelf-stable. That means that as long as you store the bottle properly and it remains unopened, you can consider it safe to drink indefinitely.

What country lets you drink at 13? ›

Around the world, the age when it's legal to purchase or be served most alcohol products varies from 13 in Burkina Faso to 25 in Eritrea.

Can minors drink vodka? ›

B & P Code 25658.

Except as provided in Section 25667, any person under the age of 21 years who purchases any alcoholic beverage, or any person under the age of 21 years who consumes any alcoholic beverage in any on-sale premises, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

What is the strongest shot? ›

Here are 12 of the strongest liquors in the world.
  1. Polmos Spirytus Rektyfikowany Vodka. Proof: 192 (96% alcohol by volume) ...
  2. Everclear 190. Proof: 190 (95% alcohol by volume) ...
  3. Golden Grain 190. ...
  4. Hapsburg Absinthe XC. ...
  5. Balkan 176 Vodka. ...
  6. Sunset Very Strong Rum. ...
  7. Stroh 160 Rum. ...
  8. Devil's Springs Vodka 160.
29 Jul 2022

How do I know if I'm a lightweight? ›

7 Signs You're a Total Lightweight
  1. It Takes You Three Sips to Take a Shot. ...
  2. Bottomless Brunch Bottoms Out at Two Mimosas for You. ...
  3. If You Go to Happy Hour, You're Not Going Out That Night. ...
  4. Your Cheeks Flush Just Thinking About Wine. ...
  5. Your Frozen Margaritas Are Completely Liquid by the Time You Finish.
27 Dec 2017

How long do you stay drunk after one shot? ›

Alcohol is removed from your blood at a rate of around 3.3 millimoles per hour. To put this into perspective, this is how long the following drinks remain in your system: small shot of liquor: 1 hour. pint of beer: 2 hours.

Why do I black out everytime I drink? ›

Research indicates that blackouts are more likely to occur when alcohol enters the bloodstream quickly, causing the BAC to rise rapidly. This could happen if someone drinks on an empty stomach or consumes large amounts of alcohol in a short amount of time.

Why can't I remember when I drink? ›

Alcohol affects short-term memory by slowing down how nerves communicate with each other in a part of the brain called the hippocampus. The hippocampus plays a significant role in helping people form and maintain memories. When normal nerve activity slows down, short-term memory loss can occur.

How do you get drunk faster with vodka? ›

When the researchers measured the subjects' BACs, they found that all but one absorbed the undiluted vodka fastest, and most—14 out of 21—absorbed the vodka faster when it was mixed with carbonated water than when it was combined with still water.

Can u wake up drunk? ›

Could you still be intoxicated the morning after? Yes. Whether your blood alcohol is still above the limit depends on a number of factors. The main ones are how much alcohol you consumed last night and at what time.

Does drinking water make you less drunk? ›

Does drinking water with alcohol make you less drunk? It won't make you less drunk, but it will help you be less sick the next day. A big part of a hangover is dehydration, and the rest is alcohol poisoning. Drinking lots of water helps with the dehydration and also helps your body flush out the toxins.

Why does throwing up when drunk make you feel better? ›

Throwing up naturally after drinking may help relieve symptoms of excess alcohol in the bloodstream. Generally, a person may feel better after throwing up the alcohol. If a person throws up shortly after drinking, the body may not have absorbed the alcohol, potentially lessening its effects.

How fast does vodka get you drunk? ›

Alcohol can hit you pretty fast. It typically reaches your brain within 5 minutes, and you can begin feeling the effects within 10 minutes . When the concentration of alcohol begins to increase in your bloodstream, you'll start to feel good.

How does vodka feel the first time? ›

Alcohol influences your mood and can also make you feel down or aggressive. As the concentration of alcohol in your bloodstream increases, your behaviour and body functions change. At first, you may feel happy and less inhibited, but after several drinks you'll probably: slur your words.

Does drinking vodka straight get you more drunk? ›

You'll probably get drunk somewhat faster if all that your stomach is concentrating on is the influx of high-ethanol content shots, but the main difference, in terms of speed of getting drunk, is more likely going to be due to the speed that the total volume of alcohol is imbibed.

Is vodka the healthiest alcohol? ›

Vodka doesn't contain a significant amount of minerals or nutrients. Vodka has no sugar and fewer calories than some other liquors. If you already consume alcohol, vodka may be a slightly healthier option.

Is 5% vodka a lot? ›

A fifth of vodka is equal in size to a standard bottle of wine, though it is much more potent. Drinking a fifth of vodka every day is not just unhealthy, it's downright dangerous. A fifth contains about 17 shots of vodka, which is a least eight times the recommended daily alcohol consumption limit.

What is the healthiest alcohol? ›

Red Wine. Red wine is widely recognized as one of the healthiest alcoholic drinks out there. Poon notes that it's "relatively low in calories and also offers some health benefits."9 She adds that red wine is rich in antioxidants such as resveratrol and proanthocyanidins and can promote cardiovascular health.

What food to eat when drunk? ›

Fruit, water, lean protein, and starchy veggies

From there, try to incorporate as many fruits and veggies into your drunk eating snacks as possible, suggests Harbstreet. Another solid place to start: lean protein and starchy veggies, says Gabrielle Tafur, RD.

What soaks up alcohol the fastest? ›

Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach means your body will absorb alcohol faster and you'll feel the effects of alcohol more rapidly. Any food will help, but carbohydrates — like bread, pasta or potatoes — slow down how quickly your body absorbs the alcohol.

Does sugar make you less drunk? ›

The second experiment also showed that sugar can attenuate alcohol intoxication in fasting humans without altering blood alcohol levels significantly.

How many vodka shots get you drunk? ›

10%, which is above the legal limit to drive. This means: an average 170lb woman becomes drunk after around 4 shots of vodka. an average 200lb man becomes drunk after around 6 shots of vodka.

Is vodka healthier than beer? ›

Vodka is a low-calorie liquor with no carbs, fat, or sugar, and no nutritional value for that matter. If you're on a diet or just want to drink without an overload of calories, vodka is a good choice. It has less calories and carbs than beer, wine, champagne, and pre-mixed co*cktails.

Which alcohol is good for brain? ›

Brain benefits of moderate drinking

Other studies have linked the resveratrol found in red wine to heart and brain health benefits, and suggest that regular moderate consumption of red wine may slow aging.

How long does vodka take to kick? ›

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism , alcohol enters your bloodstream as soon as you take that first sip. The effects kick in within about 10 minutes.

How long does vodka effect last? ›

How long do alcohol effects last? Generally speaking, it takes about 6 hours for the effects of being drunk to wear off. If you count the hangover/detoxification period that happens after drinking alcohol, the effects may last longer.

What alcohol makes you happy drunk? ›

The people we polled said that certain forms of alcohol were more likely to give them different feelings. Men told us that wine, co*cktails, and India pale ales (IPAs) made them happiest when they drank, while women said that co*cktails, wine, and vodka left them with the most positive emotions.

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