A jigger is a small measuring tool for cocktail ingredients. Its most useful feature is a clear scale that matches the recipes you actually follow. Shape, finish and decorative details matter less than being able to measure consistently.
Match the scale to the recipe
Jiggers come in different capacities. A two-sided measure is not automatically a 1 oz and 2 oz tool, and a line inside the cup may represent a smaller amount than its brim. Read the markings before you start.
Metric and US fluid-ounce recipes can both work well. Keep one system throughout a recipe. One US fluid ounce is approximately 29.57 mL; 30 mL is a common working approximation, not an exact conversion. An Imperial fluid ounce is a different volume.
Shapes to consider
- Tall, narrow measures can make small differences in fill level easier to see.
- Bell-shaped measures offer a broader body and a different grip.
- Angled measuring cups can make graduations easier to read from above.
- Graduated mini cups are useful when several small measurements appear in a recipe.
A repeatable measuring routine
Hold the measure level over the mixing vessel. Read the intended line, fill steadily and transfer the ingredient without rushing. Thick syrups can cling to the walls; give them time to drain. Rinse between ingredients when residue would affect the next measurement.
Practice with water before using expensive ingredients. If a mark is hard to see in your working light, choose a clearer tool instead of relying on a guessed fill level. Measurement accuracy is also affected by how you use the tool, not just its advertised capacity.
Before buying
Check the smallest graduation, the unit system, the rim and the care instructions. Avoid assuming a shaker cap is a calibrated measure. Build a simple routine with our cocktail measuring guide.
Frequently asked questions
Are all double jiggers the same size?
No. Cup sizes and internal graduations vary. Check the actual markings, including whether the scale uses millilitres or fluid ounces.
Is 1 oz exactly 30 mL?
One US fluid ounce is approximately 29.57 mL. Thirty millilitres is a practical approximation. An Imperial fluid ounce is approximately 28.41 mL.
Can I use the shaker cap as a measure?
Only if its capacity is known and appropriate for the recipe. A cap is not automatically a calibrated jigger.
What matters most when choosing a jigger?
Readable graduations, the small quantities required by your recipes, a comfortable grip and a level pouring routine.