Nic Shots
A nic shot is a 10ml bottle of unflavoured nicotine made to be added to a nicotine free shortfill. This collection holds 8 nicotine shots from NicNic and the Drifter Head Shots line, covering 18mg freebase and 20mg nicotine salt, VG ratios from 50% through 70% to 100%, plus iced and cool versions that add a menthol edge as they mix. In stock shots are £1.00 each.
Shots exist because of how UK law is written. Any e-liquid containing nicotine is limited to a 10ml bottle, so larger bottles are sold nicotine free with headroom left in the neck. You buy the flavour in bulk, add the nicotine yourself and end up with a full bottle at a strength you chose. That is the whole mechanic. Once you have done it once it takes about thirty seconds.
How the mixing maths works
The standard combination is one 10ml 18mg shot into a 50ml shortfill sold in a 60ml bottle. That gives 60ml of finished liquid at 3mg per ml. A 100ml shortfill in a 120ml bottle takes two 18mg shots and lands at the same 3mg. Using a 20mg salt shot in a 50ml shortfill nudges the result closer to 3.3mg per ml.
If you want more than 3mg you need a smaller shortfill or more headroom. Half filling a 60ml bottle with 40ml of shortfill and adding two shots gives 6mg per ml. Work in whole shots wherever you can, because measuring part bottles by eye is where most people get their strength wrong.
Freebase shots against nicotine salt shots
Freebase nicotine is the traditional form. At 3mg in a high VG shortfill it is smooth enough, though it becomes noticeably harsh in the throat as strength climbs. Nicotine salt is the same nicotine with an acid added, which lowers the pH and takes the edge off. A 20mg salt shot suits anyone mixing for a mouth to lung pod device or anyone who finds freebase scratchy. For a sub ohm shortfill at 3mg either will do the job comfortably.
Matching the VG ratio
Nic shots are sold in different VG ratios so you can add nicotine without changing the character of the liquid you bought. A 70% VG shot dropped into a 70/30 shortfill keeps the mix exactly as the manufacturer intended. A 100% VG shot thickens a mix slightly and keeps PG to a minimum. A 50% VG shot thins a heavy liquid a little, which helps mouth to lung coils wick properly. The difference from a single 10ml shot in 50ml is small but real.
Iced and cool shots
The ICE and COOL shots in this range carry a cooling agent alongside the nicotine. Adding one to a plain fruit shortfill turns it into an iced version of itself without buying a separate bottle, which is a cheap way to get two flavours out of one purchase. Use them with restraint in a mix that is already mentholated, as the cooling stacks quickly.
Mixing, shaking and steeping
Take the cap and the stopper off the shortfill, squeeze the shot in fully, replace the cap and shake hard for a minute or two. Fruit and menthol mixes are usually ready straight away. Custards, tobaccos and heavy bakery blends benefit from a few days somewhere dark with an occasional shake. Store finished bottles upright and out of reach of children and pets.
The UK rules on nicotine shots
Nicotine containing e-liquid is capped at 20mg per ml in the UK and bottles containing nicotine are limited to 10ml, which is why every shot here is exactly that size. Products must be notified to the MHRA before sale and must carry child resistant and tamper evident closures. Sales are restricted to adults aged 18 and over. UK delivery is free on orders over £20 and the team is on 07827 210361 between 8.30am and 4.00pm.
Nic shot questions answered
How many nic shots do I need for a 50ml shortfill?
One 10ml 18mg shot. A 50ml shortfill is supplied in a 60ml bottle with the extra space left deliberately empty, so a single shot fills it and gives 60ml of liquid at 3mg per ml. A 100ml shortfill in a 120ml bottle takes two shots for the same result. Check the bottle size printed on the label before you mix.
What strength do I get after adding a nic shot?
One 18mg shot in a 50ml shortfill gives 3mg per ml in the finished 60ml bottle. A 20mg salt shot in the same shortfill lands nearer 3.3mg per ml. Doubling up to two shots in only 40ml of shortfill gives roughly 6mg. The maths is simply the total nicotine divided by the total volume once everything is combined.
Should I use a freebase or a nicotine salt shot?
Salt shots are smoother in the throat at the same strength, so they suit mouth to lung pod setups and anyone who finds freebase harsh. Freebase is the traditional option and is comfortable at the 3mg you end up with in a sub ohm shortfill. Neither changes the flavour noticeably, so it is a throat feel decision.
Does the VG ratio of the shot matter?
A little. Matching the shot to the shortfill keeps the blend as the maker intended, so a 70% VG shot suits a 70/30 shortfill. A 100% VG shot thickens the mix slightly. A 50% VG shot thins it, which can help a mouth to lung coil wick. With one shot in 50ml the shift is small.
Do I need to steep my e-liquid after mixing?
Not usually. Shake the bottle hard for a minute or two and most fruit and menthol mixes are ready immediately. Custards, tobaccos and dense bakery flavours tend to taste fuller after a few days somewhere dark and cool with the occasional shake. Nothing is wrong with the liquid if you vape it straight away, it simply keeps developing.
How should nicotine shots be stored?
Upright, in a cool dark place, with the child resistant cap closed and well out of reach of children and pets. Heat and sunlight darken nicotine over time and dull the flavour once mixed. Keep shots in their original bottles so the labelling stays with the product. Sold to over 18s only.