Nic Shots

How to Add Nic Shots to Shortfills

Adding a nic shot takes less than a minute. Remove the cap from your shortfill bottle and pour in the entire 10ml shot. Replace the cap, then shake well for 30 seconds to a minute until the liquid looks consistent with no visible streaks. Once mixed, you're ready to fill your tank or pod.

Nic Shot Mixing Guide

The tables below show how many nic shots you need based on your shortfill size and target strength.

50ml Shortfills

100ml Shortfills

For custom ratios beyond these combinations, a nic shot calculator can help work out exact amounts.

Types of Nic Shots

Choosing the right nic shot depends on your shortfill and how you vape.

Freebase shots deliver a noticeable throat hit similar to traditional cigarettes. Nic salt shots are different. They feel smoother on the throat and absorb faster, giving quicker satisfaction without the harshness. Ice shots add a menthol cooling sensation to any e-liquid.

VG/PG ratio matters too. Match your shot to your shortfill for best results. 50/50 suits MTL devices and thinner e-liquids. 70/30 works as a good all-rounder. For sub-ohm vaping (coils below 1 ohm resistance) with high-VG shortfills, go with 80/20 or 100VG to keep everything consistent.

Strength-wise, 18mg is the most common. It creates 3mg e-liquid when added to a 50ml shortfill. 20mg shots give slightly stronger results at 3.3mg per 60ml.

Nic Shots FAQs

Can I make 6mg or stronger e-liquid with nic shots?

Not with standard mixing. One 18mg nic shot in a 50ml shortfill gives you 3mg, and that's roughly the maximum. Shortfill bottles only have room for one or two shots, so strengths like 6mg, 12mg, or 20mg aren't achievable this way. Need something stronger? Nic salt e-liquids come pre-mixed at 10mg and 20mg, ready to vape straight away.

What strength nic shot should I use?

18mg is the standard choice. It creates 3mg e-liquid when mixed with a 50ml shortfill. Want slightly more? 20mg shots give you 3.3mg. Lower strength shots like 9mg or 12mg work well if you're gradually reducing your nicotine intake.

Can I use nic salt shots in shortfills?

Yes. Nic salt shots mix into shortfills exactly like freebase. The difference is how they vape: salt nicotine feels smoother on the throat and absorbs faster. Some vapers prefer this for a gentler experience overall.

Can I add a nic shot to a 10ml bottle?

No. A 10ml bottle has no spare capacity, and adding concentrated nicotine would create an unsafe strength. For nicotine in 10ml format, buy pre-mixed nic salt e-liquids instead.

Can you vape nic shots on their own?

Technically yes, but don't. Nic shots contain concentrated nicotine that tastes harsh and peppery on its own. They're designed to be mixed with flavour-focused shortfills, which provide the taste while the nic shot adds the nicotine.

How long should I shake after adding a nic shot?

At least 30 seconds to a minute. You want the nicotine fully dispersed with no streaks or separation. Some vapers steep the bottle for a few hours after mixing, though most e-liquids are fine to vape immediately.