A shot is part of a really successful celebration. But how did it come about? Here you can find out everything about the history of shots, "Kurzen" and "Stamperl"
How did the shot originate?
We've all had it in the form of vodka, tequila, rum and co., but few know where it actually comes from and why it's called what it is: the shot.
What exactly a shot is, we probably don't need to explain at length, perhaps just a brief word about the volume: A shot usually means exactly 2 cl of schnapps. However, in emergencies, a "double" is often ordered, which is then served in a 4 cl shot glass.
So let's take a direct look at the different origin myths of the shot.
The most iconic shots
Of course, the usual suspects, i.e. shots like tequila, vodka and ouzo, remain extremely popular, but alongside these classics, some others have now also achieved cult status. Below you will find a small selection of the currently most popular shots.
The romantic version: a cowboy legend
As is often the case, there are different versions of the history of the shot. According to the cowboy legend, the term "shot" originated in the Wild West in the USA. A cowboy who was passing through was standing at a bar and wanted to drink a schnapps, but had no money. So he yelled that he wanted to trade a bullet or a "shot" for a small glass of schnapps.
According to legend, the cowboy probably wanted to drink whiskey. Even back then, people would give their last shirt or last bullet for a good whiskey...
Although the truthfulness of this legend cannot be verified, it can be said that the cowboy's situation is not too unrealistic. Life on the prairie was often hard and characterized by deprivation.
Therefore, the impoverished "cowboys" probably regularly came to the saloons without cash.
This brings us to the less dramatic version of the cowboy legend. According to this version, the cashless cowboys could exchange a bullet from their belt for a small amount of schnapps. So they traded a shot for a schnapps, which is said to have led to the name "shot" still known today.
The etymological explanation: the "shot glass"
Although the cowboy legend is perhaps the most fun, this version of the story is somewhat more fact-based.
Whiskey, rum, etc. were probably served in small glasses since the beginning of the 19th century, which are suspiciously similar to today's shot glasses. However, the term "shot glass" demonstrably appears only in 1940 in the New York Times, as can be read in the Oxford English Dictionary.
The small glasses with a particularly thick base and a sturdy rim only gradually became established in the USA after Prohibition. Before that, thinner-walled and more fragile glasses were more common. However, they were gradually replaced by the glasses from which a shot is still drunk today.
But how did the term "shot" come about according to this story? With the development of glasses, this term could also have changed. According to the Universal Etymological English Dictionary, the word "Shot" in Old English referred to a jug that was given to well-paying guests in taverns. How this jug first became thin-walled glasses and then today's shot glass, we unfortunately do not know. In any case, in this version, the name "Shot" comes from the drinking vessel.
The version of a glassworks – a marketing gag?
This legend refers to the origins of shot glass production. It states that the name "Shotglas" (shot glass) is due to the production of the Jena glassworks Schott, which already exported glasses to the USA in the late 19th century. However, it did not supply shot glasses in today's sense, which is why this could be a marketing gag. In fact, it is unclear from which manufacturers the currently common version of the shot glass originated.
The "Kurze" and the "Stamperl": the shot in German-speaking countries
Although the term "shot" has largely caught on in German-speaking countries, especially among the younger generations, there are also original, regionally different German-language equivalents. The best known of these are the "Kurze" from large parts of West, North and East Germany and the "Stamperl" from Austria and Bavaria.
The "Kurze" originated in the "Herrengedeck" (gentlemen's set), which was extremely popular and widespread from the 1920s to the 1970s, with which workers rewarded themselves after work in their regular pub. A "Herrengedeck" traditionally consists of a combination of a "Lange" (long one) – usually beer – in a larger glass and a "Kurze" (short one) – traditionally mostly Korn or herbal liqueur – in a smaller glass: the shot glass.
The origin of the "Stamperl" from Austria and Bavaria, on the other hand, can only be derived etymologically. From the verb "stampern" (High German: "stampfen" - to stomp) developed the "Stamperl", which refers to a glass that can be "stamped" on the table. This stamping of the Stamperl naturally only happens after the content (traditionally often a fruit brandy or liqueur) has been emptied in one go.
The shot evolves: From pure content to ritual
With the development of society, there is often also a change in rituals, and this can be observed very well with the shot. While the "Kurze" in the mid-20th century still helped tired workers forget the reality of everyday life for a short time as an accompaniment to their after-work beer, since the emergence of the "fun society" of the 90s, the shot has been primarily associated with party, fun, and celebration.
While the shot formerly merely described the content and form - a "shot" of schnapps in a shot glass - today it stands for drinking games, exuberant moods in lively bars and pre-drinks with friends - in short: for ritualized drinking in company.
The "Kurze" has long since emancipated itself from the "Lange" and now leads a life of its own in extravagance and revelry, which is no longer limited to Korn, Ouzo and Kuemmerling, but has conquered the market in the craziest and most unusual bottles. We would like to briefly introduce you to some of the most iconic shots below.
Kleiner Feigling
Knock, lid on the nose and head back – this drinking ritual of the Kleiner Feigling has been getting party-goers in the mood since 1992. The combination of high-quality vodka and fig also leaves nothing to be desired with its sweet and refreshing taste.
Krugmann R(h)einspritzer Woodruff Liqueur
Do you need the full dose of woodruff liqueur to really get in the party mood? Then get the Krugmann R(h)einspritzer woodruff liqueur, which comes in a handy syringe for fun and party drinking comfort. The sparkling-fruity woodruff flavor makes this "doctor's visit" a real pleasure.
Ficken Liquors
The name of this shot already reveals that it is not intended for intellectual exchange in a literary salon, but rather for uncompromising "going wild" and "escalating". The Ficken liqueur is made from the delicious jostaberry, a cross between blackcurrant and gooseberry, and you drink it when you really want to party.
Underberg
The Underberg company has been around since 1846, and with this delicious herbal bitter made to a secret recipe with herbs from 43 countries, they have created a shot that even the nobility of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy enjoyed, and that all generations can still agree on today. The Underberg can thus exemplify that quality always prevails in the end.
We hope that with this article we have provided you with the information that will allow you to enrich your shot rounds with the appropriate background knowledge. Cheers!
FAQ – Questions and Answers
What exactly is a shot and how much content does it usually have? +
A shot typically refers to a small portion of schnapps, usually 2 cl, served in a shot glass. There is often also the "Doppelter" (double), which typically holds 4 cl and is accordingly served in larger, often calibrated glasses.
Where does the term "shot" come from? +
There are several explanations for its origin. A well-known legend refers to the Wild West, where a cartridge ("shot") was allegedly exchanged for a glass of schnapps. A more fact-based interpretation traces the term back to the drinking vessel, as "shot glass" is demonstrably documented as a term in the 20th century.
What role did the shot glass play in the history of shots? +
Small glasses with a thick base and sturdy rim became more prevalent in the USA, especially after Prohibition. The term "shot glass" is traceable in sources such as the New York Times around 1940, which is seen as an indication that the term became established with the spread of this type of glass.
What do "Kurzer" or "Stamperl" mean in German-speaking countries? +
"Kurzer" is a common term in parts of Germany and is often understood as a small portion of schnapps, historically for example in the context of the "Herrengedeck" (gentlemen's set). In Austria and Bavaria, "Stamperl" is common and is etymologically derived from "stampern" (to stamp), i.e. from stamping the glass after drinking it empty.
How have shots evolved from a portion of schnapps to a ritual? +
While shots were formerly often understood as an accompaniment to beer or a small portion of spirits, today they increasingly stand for communal rituals such as toasting, drinking games, and specific drinking customs. Thus, the shot is no longer just a measure, but also a symbol of convivial, ritualized drinking.
