Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the size of the glass. You’ve seen those massive bowl-shaped martini glasses that look like they could hold a goldfish. Those can hold 6 to 8 ounces of liquid. But bar etiquette says you should only fill them to about 75% of the brim. So a “large” martini in a big glass might still hold the same 3 ounces of vodka—just floating in a sea of empty space.
But some bars? Oh, they’re generous. They’ll pour you a 4-ounce or even 5-ounce vodka pour because the glass looks sad otherwise. That’s when a two-martini afternoon becomes a three-Matt-drums-on-the-table situation. Always ask your bartender: “Is that a standard 3-ounce pour?” It’s a fair question, and you’ll sound like you know what you’re doing.
The “Up” Versus “On the Rocks” Lie
Order it “up” (strained into a chilled glass, no ice), and you’re getting those clean 3 ounces of vodka. Order it “on the rocks” (over ice in a lowball glass), and suddenly you’re adding about 1 to 2 ounces of melted water over time. The vodka volume stays the same, but the dilution can make you feel like you’re drinking less. Spoiler: you’re not. Your body absorbs alcohol faster when it’s diluted—it’s a cruel trick of chemistry.
