The numbers: how many drinks in each bottle
A standard drink in Canada is one 1.5 oz (43 mL) shot of 40% spirit. That makes the maths simple, and it is the same maths whether you are mixing rye and ginger or pouring vodka sodas.
| Bottle | Volume | Standard 1.5 oz pours | Mixed drinks at a party pour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mickey | 375 mL | About 8 | About 6-7 |
| Standard bottle | 750 mL | About 17 | About 13-15 |
| Forty (BIG IT UP) | 1.14 L | About 26 | About 20-22 |
Why party pours run heavier
Nobody at a house party uses a jigger. Free pours drift towards 2 oz once the night gets going, which is why the right-hand column is lower than the strict count. Plan on the party-pour figure, not the textbook one.
The 1.14 L holds just over 50% more than a 750 mL. In practice that is roughly seven or eight extra mixed drinks from a single bottle — enough to carry four or five extra guests through a normal evening.
When the bigger bottle is the right call
- You are hosting eight or more people and one spirit is doing most of the work — usually vodka or rye.
- The party runs late. The last two hours are where a 750 mL runs out and someone has to make a second order.
- Everyone drinks the same thing. A forty of Smirnoff No. 21 for vodka sodas is simpler than three different half-empty bottles.
- You want one bottle on the counter rather than two. Fewer bottles means less clutter and an easier read on how much is left.
When to stick with 750 mL
- Sipping spirits. A good whiskey or cognac for two or three people does not need more volume.
- Variety matters more than quantity. Two different 750 mL bottles give guests a choice; one big bottle does not.
- Small gatherings. Four people over dinner will rarely finish a 750 mL, let alone a forty.
- Gifting. The standard bottle is the gift format; a forty reads as party supply.
Which bottles can be upgraded
BIG IT UP is offered on a short list of bottles that are actually poured in volume: Smirnoff No. 21, Absolut Vodka, Stolichnaya Vodka, Jameson Irish Whiskey and Crown Royal Deluxe. These are the mixers — vodka for sodas and punches, Irish whiskey and Canadian rye for highballs.
Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka
Choose your pack size
$80.00
In stock
BIG IT UP +$20
Upgrade to 1.14 L — $100.00
Absolut Vodka
Choose your pack size
$80.00
In stock
BIG IT UP +$20
Upgrade to 1.14 L — $100.00
Jameson Irish Whiskey
Choose your pack size
$90.00
In stock
BIG IT UP +$20
Upgrade to 1.14 L — $110.00
Crown Royal Deluxe
Choose your pack size
$80.00
In stock
BIG IT UP +$20
Upgrade to 1.14 L — $100.00
How the BIG IT UP upgrade works
When you add one of those bottles from a product card, a light-blue panel asks whether you want to upgrade to the 1.14 L. The upgrade price is shown right on the panel before you decide — there are no surprises at checkout.
If you do nothing, your 750 mL stays in the cart after a few seconds. Choose "Keep 750 mL" to skip it straight away. The larger size is only offered through this panel, so you will not see it listed on the product page itself.
Pairing size with a party plan
If you are not sure how much you need, run your guest count and party length through the party alcohol calculator first. It will tell you how many spirit pours you need; divide by about 14 for 750 mL bottles or about 21 for the 1.14 L.
Holiday hosts: the Christmas party drinks guide and the New Year's Eve party drinks guide both use these pour counts to build a full shopping list.
Common questions
How many shots are in a 1.14 L bottle?
About 26 standard 1.5 oz shots, compared with about 17 in a 750 mL bottle.
Is a 1.14 L the same as a 40 oz?
Yes. 1.14 litres is roughly 40 fluid ounces, which is why it is commonly called a forty.
Can I order the 1.14 L directly from the product page?
No. The larger size is only offered through the BIG IT UP panel when you add an eligible 750 mL bottle from a product card.
What happens if I ignore the upgrade panel?
Your 750 mL bottle stays in the cart. Nothing changes unless you tap the upgrade button.
