
Ah, the tiny titans of the spirit world! It seems these little guys go by more names than a spy on an international mission. What you call them often depends on where you are and whether you're being formal or just trying to get the party started.
Officially, the industry term is a "miniature." It's a bit proper, like calling a hot dog a "frankfurter on a bun," but it's the correct, technical name for a bottle containing a single serving of liquor, typically 50 ml. This size is also why some people, being ever so practical, simply call them "50s."
However, the real fun is in the colloquialisms. "Airplane bottle" is a classic, conjuring images of pocket-sized liquid courage at 30,000 feet. Another popular term is "nip," a wonderfully succinct word that gets the point across. You'll also frequently hear them called "shooters," which is less a name and more of a direct instruction, and "minis" for short.
So, whether you're asking for a miniature, a nip, an airplane bottle, or a shooter, you're talking about the same thing. They're proof that the best things often come in small, travel-friendly, single-serving packages.


